TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

[cloudlesssky]

Suitably inspired by Kathy W's TR from last weekend, Jim Means, John Shillings and I decided to dayhike up Taboose Pass trail . We arrived at the trail head around 0830.

Taboose Pass trail head

It's a relentless climb from a pretty dusty trail head, but you quickly enter the canyon and some spectacular scenery.

Nice view up Taboose canyon

The trail became hit or miss in the snow around 9500 ft. Nearing the top there was mostly snow but some bare patches. To the south side of the pass there was a pretty spectacular cornice.

John below a cornice

Near the top we came upon a pair of grouse. One was snow white and the other had some spots. I'm guessing their plumage changes in the summer as I've seen these same birds in grey spots during the typical hiking season. These birds were fearless and hardly moved as we walked by within 5-10 feet.

Grouse losing winter plummage

At the summit you could see west to Bench Lake and Arrow Peak. I think it will be a while before I head down there to spend the night.

Looking west from the Taboose summit towards Bench Lake and Arrow Peak

On the way back down John convinced me to "ski" down the snow shoots. It was plenty of fun and I only made a few butt prints. It was also a quick way to lose 1500 ft.

Snow tracks

The view out to Owens Valley reminded me how lucky we were to be doing this hike in April vs August. It looked hot and dry down there even at this time of the year.

Looking east towards Owens Valley

We encountered lots of deer tracks all day long. I also saw what I believe to be mountain lion prints a couple times (I took pictures but they aren't very sharp). The only deer we actually saw though were near the trail head.

Deer near the trail head

All in all it was a nice day and a fun hike. We made it back to the trail head by about 1730 and then stopped for a burger at the Mt Whitney cafe. Maybe it was the miles and vertical but it was a really good burger. Oh, and the onion rings were pretty special too.

[oleander]

Nice.

If those eastside trailheads were just a hop-skip from where I live, I would be so glad to have that as a weekend hike!

- Elizabeth

[maverick]

Very nice! Thanks for the pictures and info. Keep hinting to my wife that we should
move up to Bishop, but she keeps saying "it ain't gonna happen".

[schmalz]

I've love to move to Bishop but are there any jobs?

This is a recurring problem I'm facing right now as I try to move closer to the mountains.

[Troutdog 59]

Nice report Cloudless. Amazing how little snow there is for April.

Very nice! Thanks for the pictures and info. Keep hinting to my wife that we should
move up to Bishop, but she keeps saying "it ain't gonna happen".

Ive had the same conversation with my wife. Kinda funny, but mine had the exact same response

[DAVELA]

any more pics?

nice tr

gracias

[jimmeans]

A few more pics:

[Ballpeen]

Thanks for the trip report. Its great to get such current info! How was the road to the trailhead? Would a civic make it?

[maverick]

Hi Ballpeen,

Welcome to HST!
It is bumpy, you need to take your time, but yes you can make it to the trailhead, my
Civic made it, and I am no off-road expert.

[Ballpeen]

Thank you maverick.

This is a truly great site you all have here, by the way! I've been lurking about all winter, getting inspired.