CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2.
LOCATION: Yosemite National Park HST Map
ELEVATION: 12200 feet
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5') Mount Lyell, CA
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: I crossed from east to west in mid-July 2018 -- winter 2017-18 had lower than average snowfall. The initial climb from Maclure Lake involves low angled snow fields and small to medium talus. Many route choices exist depending on your preferences. The snow becomes steep nearer the top -- I abandoned it in favor of slopes of larger talus that were mostly stable. I would classify this side as Class 2 hiking -- poles in hand. If you climb to the low point, you are confronted with rather tall cliffs on the other side. However, there is a notch 100' or so to the left/south characterized by an outcropping of red rock that leads to a chute filled with loose gravel which will get you down past the cliffs. I would second Secor's advice to stay left/southwest as a general rule on this side. After the initial steep section it is a long slog down on talus and boulders. I would classify the Hutchings Creek side as Class 2 scrambling in the chute and upper stretch -- hands helpful in spots -- and Class 2 hiking lower down. Hope this helps.
Dennis
- Russell Pass from a few hundred feet above Maclure Lake
- Steeper snow fields and talus slopes near the top
- The last bit on the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne side
- South notch from the ridge -- note the red rock
- The notch and typical talus from the Hutchings Creek side
- Mt Maclure with the Russell Pass notch on the *left*
- A zoomed in photo of the notch from the Hutchings Creek side
- Maclure Lake from Russell Pass
- Mt Florence from Russell Pass