Scimitar pass / Agassiz col mid-July

[Sebastian_A_K]

As part of a 5 day trip starting July 15 this year (2023) I was planning on crossing scimitar pass and Agassiz col. But I wonder if these passes will be made much harder or dangerous by snow, seeing how there’s so much more than usual this year. Concerning scimitar, i have the feeling that it will be snow-free everywhere because of the aspect of the slopes. I know that on the E side Agassiz has a small glacier below, and that seems to indicate snow will linger further up, too. I don’t mind a snow field as long as it’s not too steep (whatever that is).

I haven’t been to either of these passes, but have crossed many other off-trail passes across the Sierra crest, including South Fork (which was wet and muddy and not fun).

[RoguePhotonic]

Honestly Scimitar Pass on the East side would be much easier with more snow. It's one hell of a nasty talus climb. Very loose and dangerous.

[Sebastian_A_K]

Thanks. I can see how that might be better. But some snow in between large blocks of talus can be really bad.