Steelhead Pass (vs Carol Col/Puppet Pass)

[SkyPilotSky]

Hello Folks. I've been digging around on HST and am surprised to see so little information on Steelhead Pass (connecting L Lake area to Desolation Lk) and as compared to Carol Col. I'm curious about how much use Steelhead gets and why. Is it straightforward class 2 in no-snow conditions? How does it compare in difficulty to Carol Col/Puppet Pass?

If a person is at L Lake and wants to get to Piute Pass, what is the most sensible route: a) Steelhead Pass, b) Carol Col or c) French Cyn trail to Piute Trail?

Thanks!

[Bishop_Bob]

I've been over both, going northbound. Both are easy on the south side and full of talus on the north. The talus seemed larger for Steelhead - more car-sized blocks to negotiate than on Puppet. But I might have chosen a more problematic route. As for sensible, I haven't been southbound over those passes, but logic would tell me Steelhead from L would be quicker. The south side of Steelhead is cake and would dump you very close to Desolation Lake.

[windknot]

I went over Steelhead Pass northbound a few weeks ago on Aug. 18. I found it trickier than anticipated to navigate those car-sized blocks that Bishop_Bob mentions while descending the north side of the pass, even veering to the left (west) to steer clear of the steepest part.

By contrast, I've gone over Puppet Pass/Carol Col multiple times in both directions and it is a cinch in either direction due to the use trail hugging the rock cliff on the N side.

[Kyri Freeman]

If you can do the CC, do it rather than the slogfest that is the lower Piute Pass trail (the French Canyon section is mellow and pretty but...)

Just did this a couple days ago, on trail.

[paul]

Steelhead would be faster if you take the right line, but the best route is less obvious there than on Carol, and the talus is a little loose in spots as opposed to the very solid footing all the way up Carol. You feel a little more exposed on Steelhead, at least I did. Came down the north side of Steelhead and went up the north side of Carol. Have also been up the north side of Steelhead but that was with complete snow coverage which makes that a completly different thing, actually much easier.