Steelhead (Rust) pass
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:34 am
TITLE: Steelhead (Rust) Pass
GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects Humphrey Basin/Desolation Lake area with French Canyon
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: John Muir Wilderness
ELEVATION: 12,100 ft.
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt. Tom | HST Map: HST Map
This route is an alternative to Puppet (Carol) col for transiting between French Canyon and Humphrey Basin. I've also heard it referred to as Rust col, but this was my first time using this route and Rust Lake was still frozen solid. Regardless, from the eastern end of Desolation Lake, it ascends to a fairly gentle plateau (that was coated with snow when we were there) and the ridge with the crossing rises off this plateau as indicated in the photos. The descent into French canyon was entirely in snow for us, so it's tough to comment on obstacles one might face later in the season. If it's anything like Carol col, there will be boulders to skirt, but it looked to be a pretty expeditious alternative to the far more-popular Carol col.
GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects Humphrey Basin/Desolation Lake area with French Canyon
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: John Muir Wilderness
ELEVATION: 12,100 ft.
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt. Tom | HST Map: HST Map
This route is an alternative to Puppet (Carol) col for transiting between French Canyon and Humphrey Basin. I've also heard it referred to as Rust col, but this was my first time using this route and Rust Lake was still frozen solid. Regardless, from the eastern end of Desolation Lake, it ascends to a fairly gentle plateau (that was coated with snow when we were there) and the ridge with the crossing rises off this plateau as indicated in the photos. The descent into French canyon was entirely in snow for us, so it's tough to comment on obstacles one might face later in the season. If it's anything like Carol col, there will be boulders to skirt, but it looked to be a pretty expeditious alternative to the far more-popular Carol col.
- Distant view of the ridge from Desolation plateau
- Looking back at Desolation Lake during ascent
- Further up during the ascent
- The final ridge from the south
- View North from Steelhead Pass with frozen Steelhead Lake (lower R) and Bear Creek Spire
- Rust Lake (frozen)
- View of pass from French canyon side