High Sierra Topix

Last 2 days of the trip:

On Saturday, I made it up the surprisingly unpleasant south fork of the Kings (talus fields, downed trees, mule s***) and wanted to explore the lakes west of Striped Mountain, which is one of the most beautiful mountains I've seen, if you ignore the fact that it doesn't really have a peak. I took the outlet stream from where it crossed the JMT, and it was pretty steep going, especially given this was the first day I really felt fatigued. Here's the first lake:





And here's looking back to the west:



The top lake gets a different section of the mountain, with different colors:



Then, I slowly made my way back over Taboose, and explored the tarns to the south. The views of Goodale Mountain and the shoulders of Goodale and Striped would have been pretty spectacular if I had made it an hour or so earlier. Still pretty nice:





That area is fantastically rocky -- rocks embedded in the ground. It's difficult but beautiful travel.





And finally, a nice view down Taboose Canyon, inspiring my morning plunge over rock and rubble back to the trailhead.

Nice to see Taboose getting a little love! I think for the combo of where it takes you and scenic beauty on the way up, it's my favorite e side pass. I do try to avoid punishing my feet and knees by taking alternate routes back down, tho.

My s fork Kings/ s side Cartridge experience in Aug (going the other way) was more positive than yours... some road apples, yes, but we followed a nice trail that led us around the toes of 2 of the 3 big talus fields, with just a little brush and down timber. And I actually kinda enjoyed the ascent of Cartridge from the the Kings, while at the same time not wanting to go back down that way. We found the trail just as shown on the Mt Pinchot 15 min quad... and I remember being pleased to see almost no ducks (!?) there and elsewhere on our route. I did notice looking back from the top that there might have been more than one trail heading down, so maybe you found a more circuitous route.

To be clear: the trail is hot and dusty along the Kings and the lower half of the ascent to the pass is a real grind. But I had been ready for a semi death march based on info I had read here and elsewhere, and it really wasn't that bad. It's class 1... definitely the option for those not into risking their lives!.. and Lake Basin is SO worth it.

quentin,
Thanks for the second round of shots! And, phenocryst, you're about the only person I've heard from who does not have horror stories to tell of the south fork approach to Cartridge Pass. My only inference is some folks have a better knack for following remnant trails. I'll stick to Vennacher col.
cg

I too have had a positive experinece with Cartridge Pass and getting back to the PCT. I went from Lakes Basin back over Cartridge Pass (down to the Middle Fork of Kings River). I found a very distinct trail all the way and simply rock hopped over the talus cones. I thought the rock hopping was easy. I was on the way out and had a VERY light pack. I have also done Frozen Lake Pass twice - once each way and it was not as bad as rumored. With Cartridge, the key is being a good "old trail" slueth. With Frozen Lake Pass, I think it has a lot to do with hitting conditions right. I have also come into Lakes Baisn on Roper's High Route, dropping in to Marion Lake. Of all ways to get there, I prefer Cartridge Pass.