To be clear, Gimme Pass is the pass on SSSDave's map, not the pass on Shawn's map. I've done Gimme and yes, it's no problem. No idea about yours, though.maverick wrote:That pass is Gimme Pass: HST Map very easy class 2, the lake south of the pass is a beautiful turquoise color. The Monarch Divide is well worth the visit, it is one of the least visited sections of the Sierra, especially the western end of it.
I've always wanted to get up to those higher Swamp Lakes as well. How much give is there in your schedule? If you have a margin built in, then it might be worth it to try and if it doesn't go, you backtrack and go around Dave's way. My guess is that there'll be something doable, even if it entails following the ridgeline or going over the top of Point 11087.
ETA: and I'll second maverick's comment: that whole area is spectacular and splendidly isolated. I led a trip up there in 2001, and we didn't see another soul for 7 days. Lake 9599 and West Kennedy Lake are particular favorites of mine.
ETA2: If you do end up doing the route on Dave's map, it's worth considering dropping down to Lake 9046 and then following the gentle slopes back up rather than traversing all the way. Yes, it's a 400' drop and then gain, but the route as shown involves a quarter mile or so of giant-block talus that I really, really hated. It was one of those takes-an-enormous-amount-of-time-to-go-a-ridiculously-short-distance type deals. So I'm not sure the drop & gain would really be any worse, plus you'd get to see another lake into the bargain. Just food for thought.