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Re: early hike across shepherd pass
Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 10:20 am
by slade
Shepherd Pass is an excellent approach to climbing Mt. Whitney--as raphus's initial post says he plans--as is Cottonwood Pass. The Cottonwood Pass route is a little shorter (2.4 miles according to Harrison), and an easier start (higher trailhead and lower pass, as discussed above), but both routes are beautiful and scenic in their own way, and in the final analysis, the conditions atop Mt. Whitney--raphus's stated goal--will control. A mid-July start should work either way.
Re: early hike across shepherd pass
Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 5:26 pm
by SPeacock
If you are looking for scenery the Shepherd Pass route is hands down more spectacularly scenic than is Cottonwood Pass. But going over Kearsarge and camping at the meadows and then Tyndall Creek the next night would be about the same time as getting to Tyndall Creek from Symmes Creek trail head. Most spend the night near Anvil. A few make it over to the other side on the first day with a big pack.
If you can do that, then it really doesn't matter which way you go.
I'd rather do Shepherd Pass than Forester in June. It is sort of like deciding between going to Denver by I- 70 or I 40 in the spring.