Lakes Basin from Roads End or Taboose?

[kylekuzma]

I've got about 5-6 days and permits for both. Curious to hear the thoughts of those that have done both of what people liked/disliked.

From Roads End would head to Marion Lakes and the Lakes Basin via Grouse Lake and then Grey/White/Red pass, and then back to the car via Woods Creek.
From Taboose, would head up via Cartridge into the Lakes Basin with intentions on exploring further into Dumbell or Amphitheater given time, pace, weather, general mood, etc.

Is the approach from Grey/White/Red more or less beautiful than Dumbell and Amphitheater?

Comfortable up to Class 3 (or easier Class 4 but dont enjoy more than 1 or 2 moves in a trip) with years of Sierra off-trail experience. Two strong hikers with distance runner endurance, but love slowing down and known to get easily distracted by a beautiful view or alpine lake/basin

Thanks all!

[AaronRDavis]

Both approaches are so good, if you enjoy one you’ll likely want to come back and do the other one. I did the Roads End/SHR loop you describe a couple years ago and still dream about how lovely it was. On a perfect week in late July, I didn’t see another person from Copper Creek until I got to the JMT. On a trip a year later from the east, Taboose Pass was also fantastic, and getting to the best part of the Sierra(IMO) by the 2nd morning was a great experience.