Granite-Bear Pass
Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2017 4:00 pm
TITLE: Granite Bear Pass
GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects Granite Park and Bear Lakes Basin
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: John Muir Wilderness HST Map
ELEVATION: 12,300
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt Hilgard; HST Map: HST Map
DESCRIPTION and PHOTOS: This is a connector route between Granite Park and Bear Lakes Basin (typical entry point: Pine Creek). It's an alternative route to the use of Italy Pass and Dancing Bear. The approach from the East is very straightforward. At about the point the trail on the 7.5 minute topo map disappears, the pass will look like this:
We have ascended the right side of the chute (even in autumn there tends to be remnant snow), and although it can be fairly steep and a bit loose in sections, it's pretty reliable. The west side is a snooze to get down to Black Bear Lake: lots of very gentle gravel and nothing to make you regret having chosen this path. The photos should tell most of what you need to know. When 7 Gables Peak peeks out from the end of Black Bear, it's a real treat!
CG
GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects Granite Park and Bear Lakes Basin
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: John Muir Wilderness HST Map
ELEVATION: 12,300
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt Hilgard; HST Map: HST Map
DESCRIPTION and PHOTOS: This is a connector route between Granite Park and Bear Lakes Basin (typical entry point: Pine Creek). It's an alternative route to the use of Italy Pass and Dancing Bear. The approach from the East is very straightforward. At about the point the trail on the 7.5 minute topo map disappears, the pass will look like this:
- View of Granite-Bear Pass from the East side (Granite Park)
- Closer view of Granite Bear from the East
- Looking East from Granite Bear ridge
We have ascended the right side of the chute (even in autumn there tends to be remnant snow), and although it can be fairly steep and a bit loose in sections, it's pretty reliable. The west side is a snooze to get down to Black Bear Lake: lots of very gentle gravel and nothing to make you regret having chosen this path. The photos should tell most of what you need to know. When 7 Gables Peak peeks out from the end of Black Bear, it's a real treat!
- View West from Granite Bear
- View up to Granite Bear from West