Col W of Mt Julius Caesar?

[Sebastian_A_K]

I looked a bit into doing the center sections of the SHR. I like the idea of the SHR but I’m not one to follow instructions… so I’m also looking for alternatives not given by Roper.
In that sense… does anyone have an idea if the col 0.4 miles W of Mt Julius Caesar, that is, between mt JC and the sub-peak 12600+ just W of it, can be crossed keeping things within cl.2-3? The S side of it seems easy, and I’ve been over neighboring Italy pass, which seems similar terrain. But the N side of it is much steeper. I checked summitpost for route info with any of the Mt JC approaches but came up short.
It’s a long way round Italy lake if that pass does not work… hence some research seems warranted. Any information appreciated.

[paul]

Here's my trick: I look for photos taken from surrounding peaks, and sometimes I find the view I am looking for. In this case, seems like photos taken from Mt. Gabb, Mt. Abbot, and Mt. Dade stand a good chance of having views of the north side of that col.

[commonloon]

I looked a bit into doing the center sections of the SHR. I like the idea of the SHR but I’m not one to follow instructions… so I’m also looking for alternatives not given by Roper.
In that sense… does anyone have an idea if the col 0.4 miles W of Mt Julius Caesar, that is, between mt JC and the sub-peak 12600+ just W of it, can be crossed keeping things within cl.2-3? The S side of it seems easy, and I’ve been over neighboring Italy pass, which seems similar terrain. But the N side of it is much steeper. I checked summitpost for route info with any of the Mt JC approaches but came up short.
It’s a long way round Italy lake if that pass does not work… hence some research seems warranted. Any information appreciated.

The North Slope of Mt Julius Caesar has nasty huge boulders on that side near the shore and that slope seems active. Roper or Secor, can't remember who -- I think mentions it is an unstable. You could avoid somewhat the long walk about Lake Italy by going over Hilgard Pass. or shortcut slightly by turning up along the diagonal slope leading to Gabbot Pass. Sorry for the unsolicited beta, but done that shortcut before myself. Avoiding walking all the way to Toe Lake.

I don't consider Lake Italy all that beautiful as Sierra lakes go, but it's an easy walk around it. Lake 11167 in the right spot/conditions looks like a heart... makes for an awesome photo. The top of that drainage is really cool.

[Gazelle]

picture of it? could be wrong!

[Sebastian_A_K]

Thanks for all the quick and helpful replies. I had searched briefly for a picture on the web that shows the pass from the N side, but Bob Burd’s shot that gazelle found is much better than what I found. So in fact it looks like the uppermost, steepest part is not even the issue, but the slope below. I agree it somehow looks very very loose. Everything looks like it has slid in the recent past. So maybe this is not a good idea.
About the upward diagonal approach to Gabbot pass: I was thinking about that but would not have asked. Thanks for the input, though, it’s appreciated. You never know if a higher line is is better than a lower one - might just be a longer fight with the boulders. But this line also makes for a shorter climb up Gabb, which also is on the agenda.
Upper Mills creek lake… that’s indeed the reason why I don’t want to take Hilgard pass but Gabbot. I like visiting places that Phil Arnot wrote about, and he dedicated a whole chapter to that lake including that he “could die peacefully here, and only here” (it didn’t quite turn out like that and he died in Lagunitas, a few feet above sea level.) so for that alone I’ll follow that section of SHR. But I agree, lake Italy itself looks like it wouldn’t be the end of the world if one could skip it. Well, looks like you maybe you can but shouldn’t.