Long time lurker, finally decided to contribute after a recent 6 days trip to the High Sierra.
Last week, friend and I did a portion of SHR, starting from the North Lake trailhead on Monday, June 16th and finishing at the Pine Creek trailhead on Saturday, June 21st.
We’ve spent our first night at Muriel Lake – it was windy and cold. Muriel Lake was about 50% frozen. Piute pass was mostly clear of snow on both sides – with some easily avoided snow patches on the East side.
- View West of Piute Pass
- Muriel Lake
On our second day we’ve walked through the Humphreys Basin, over Puppet Pass down to French Canyon and then back up to Merriam Lake. Puppet Pass was practically clear of snow on both sides.
- Desolation Lake
- Top of Puppet Pass looking West
- Merriam Lake
Our third day took us over Ruskie Pass down to Seven Gables lakes basin and up to Vee Lake. It was still a lot of snow on the East side of the pass, but west side was mostly clear.
- Approaching Ruskie Pass
- Russkie Pass - West side
- Seven Gables Lakes basin
Day four was supposed to be our layover day but we decided to climb Seven Gables to “shake the rust off our crampons and ice axes”. We went up the East chute to the saddle and then up to summit via the North Ridge. The chute was full of snow but the North Ridge was practically clear. From Vee Lake - it took us a little less than 5 hours to summit. The view from the peak is incredible – one of the best in the Sierras!
- Seven Gables from Vee Lake
On day five we went up to Bear Lakes Basin and over the Granite Bear Pass down to Granite Park. Granite Bear Pass was 100% clear on the west side and almost all snow on the East side. When we’ve got there, the snow was perfect – soft top would allow us to safely kick our steps in without much effort and firm bottom would prevent post-holing. Going through Granite Park we’ve decided to make a detour to Chalfant Lakes, where we’ve spent our final night of the trip.
- Black Bear Lake with Granite Bear Pass on right
Day six we’ve got back on trail in Granite Park and exited via the Pine Creek trailhead.
It was a great early season trip that would be much more difficult to accomplish have we had a wet winter. Also, besides meeting couple of hikers on our way in and out - we have not seen a single person the entire time.
Thanks for reading!
