Worst - or Best - Pass in the Sierra

[John Dittli]

John, does "North Goddard Pass" go from Martha Lake to (well, "toward") Ionian Basin? And is that the Ionian-Basin side in the photo?

I'm referring to a pass between the north "Goddard Lakes" and Davis Lake. The photo is at the tongue of the Goddard "glacier". Near here:

JD

[Herm]

Herm - thats the one. Good photo. What a beauty that little lake is, with the ice shelf above it. If I knew how to attach a picture, I have one of the clarity of the blue quality you spoke of.

The Saxafrage and shooting stars are in that little mdw in the lower right hand of your photo. Also, the tiger lilies on the trail up there are awesome.

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Here is the tutorial from which I learned how to post photos on High Sierra Topix - I hope you can figure this out, because I would love to see a good picture of that glacial blue water.
And I have a few photos of wildflowers from that trail that I would love to share.
Herm

[EastSideClimb]

Best Pass: Koip...imposing, grinding exposed, literally almost made me cry. Beautiful views and you'd think you were in Afganistan.

Worst Pass...any one you take westward back to "reality."

[Cross Country]

I think my favorite pass was Goat Crest between Grouse and Kid Lakes. It's probably because it was my first x - country pass (with Lee Starke). I went over it many times. It's out of Kings Canyon up the Copper Creek trail. Here's a picture of me on the pass.

For me the hardest pass was probably Taboose because it was difficult for my 2 sons Mike and Jim, 7 and 12-yo, also because I was carrying a monster pack.

[evan]

The only pass Ive conqured is Bishop -but, upon completing it, the reward was paid off in terms of the breathtaking views! Im hoping to conqure at least a few more passes in my lifetime (quite a few more)! Any recomendations from anyone, as to the next pass I should add to my 'passes Ive conqured list'? Thanks!

[maverick]

Evan, I sent you a PM.

[DAVELA]

KEARSARGE PASS has incredible views especially nice in june when the surrounding peaks have snow.
my pics link:
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[East Side Hiker]

Two things:

The passes in the West Walker drainage are very nice. As opposed to the great gnarly passes of the southern Sierra (my favorite is still Shepherd), they are truely examples of the "Gentle Wilderness." Dorthy Lake Pass, Emigrant Pass, Wolf Cr Lake Pass... They are far away, gentle, and little used, but beautiful.

Another thought is this - passes that roads go over.

My favorite road pass is Sonora Pass. Walking up Sonora Pk from Sonora Pass is one of the best walks for flower freaks. Carson Pass is my second favorite. And the walk from there to Round Top is another great flower show.

[fishmonger]

I don't like Taboose Pass very much, but Sawmill pass kills you twice as much going up. It starts lower, is longer and you lose some elevation in the middle. The lower section is loose sand heading up steep switchbacks. No water for the first 4 or 5 miles. It's also 2 miles longer to the top than Taboose, and on the downhill side west of the pass you have to watch to stay on trail, as it gets very little use and is overgrowing in many areas. On the ohter hand, Sawmill pass is far more scenic than Taboose.

Haven't done Baxter yet but will add that next year perhaps.

[rlown]

the bunny is a nice touch to the photo.