GENERAL OVERVIEW: This pass leads from the upper part Granite Park to the highest Royce Lake.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY:Class 2
LOCATION: John Muir Wilderness Northeast of Lake 11,725 (Royce Lake) and directly West of Peak 12,470. HST Map
ELEVATION: 11,885
]USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt. Hilgard
ROUTE DESCRIPTION:The East side of this pass is fairly straightforward. Go up granite shelves and ramps into you're in a wide and not very steep chute. The chute takes you to the top of the pass and is Class 2. The chute may also be obtained all the way at the bottom by the lake.
The West side of this pass is also Class 2 and may be descended directly down to the lake or by traversing slightly to the South around the shoulder of Peak 12,470. Large boulders are at the bottom of the pass by the Royce Lake directly below it.
- Looking across the lake in Granite Park to the west side of the Pass. The route goes straight up the snow filled chute.
- Looking down at the Granite Park Lake
- In the chute. Early season snow made this mostly a snow climb on both sides.
- East Side