R03/R04/R02 TR: Piute Pass to SHR--->bail to JMT :) 7/17 2011

[jfelectron]

OK now some photos:

View up Piute Pass:



Up through the snow on Piute Pass:




View down to Summit Lake and Humphries Basin:



Sky Pilot and Sky Pilot Col:



Making our way East across Humprhies Basin on SHR:



Tomahawk Lake and Glacier Divide:



Puppet Pass:


French Lakes Basin from Puppet Pass:


East shore of Elba Lake:


Fording Pine Creek:




Meriam Lake Meadowlands:



Meriam/La Salle drainage:









Miles of SunCups! :



S side of Feather, the approach is much steeper with hidden steep snowfields than appears here:




Marie Lake on JMT:



Lakes on N side of Silver Pass:



View across Tully Hole from climb up to Virginia Lk late in the day:


Lk Viriginia:



1000 Island:



Big Agnes Seedhouse 2 and MLD Duomid with Banner:



Southern side of Donohue:



Yosemite baby! :




Full trip album with some videos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1165779501 ... directlink" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rlown]

the "French Lakes Basin from Puppet Pass" pic tells me what i need to know for my sept trip.. I absolutely love that you went out and did it, and reported back! helps large..

Russ

[thinair28]

Thanks for posting. We are going to give the SHR a try starting Saturday. Your report gives a good idea of what to expect.

[paul]

For those who are thinking SHR but don't like the sound of Feather pass as described above, you might look at Ruskie pass instead as a way from Merriam into seven gables lakes. It's easier with snow on it than without, and the only steep part (coming from Merriam) is a short stretch right at the top. the other side should be very easy.

[quentinc]

Paul, where is Ruskie Pass? I see an old thread on it here with MK's wife demonstrating her elan and talent with class 3 rock. The thread says it's listed in the 2nd edition of Secor, but I didn't want to donate twice to the RJ fund and it's not in the edition I have. I'm assuming it's up from the northeast inlet to Merriam?
Hmmm.... this account makes me wonder if I want to attempt it solo in the snow.

[cgundersen]

quentin,
Try this link:
http://sierrabackpacker.com/SevenGables.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Basically, it's the first canyon hard left as you go north from Merriam. I've only done it in early season snow and it's pretty easy if you get going early enough to avoid postholing.
cg

[jfelectron]

The pass is shown here:

http://doors.stanford.edu/seven-gables/map.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After the second little tarn in the drainage between Meriam and La Salle you turn W to approach the pass. I can tell you that entire side of the basin is all steep snow, personally I don't think it would be easier right now.

[quentinc]

Thanks CG and JF -- that nails it.

[ManOfTooManySports]

A couple of years ago we did Feather Pass from the north. No snow then. It got very steep at the top, pushing class 3 on a couple of moves to get to higher ledges. With snow and ice, I'd really want to carry an ice ax and crampons, just in case. I can imagine most of the north side is still under snow.