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Iva Bell via Duck Pass early season

Posted: Thu May 19, 2022 10:05 pm
by Asolthane
Some friends are considering doing this June 6-10. They are nervous about the snow on Duck Pass.

Based on the weekly sat imagery on Caltopo, it looks ok to me, but I don't want to encourage them to do anything dangerous.

I'm curious if anyone has been there recently and what the pass looks like, if there's a cornice?

Also is the Fish Creek streams crossing dangerous?

Re: Iva Bell via Duck Pass early season

Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 9:51 am
by c9h13no3
Asolthane wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 10:05 pmHow's Duck Pass at this time this year
https://apps.sentinel-hub.com/eo-browser/

Mammoth is one of the snowiest places in the Sierra, expect the north side to have snow. However, Duck Pass is a pretty mellow slope angle, less than 30 degrees everywhere.

Fish Creek can be bad, but the low snow year is helping you out. The plateau on the top of Mammoth Crest is really cool though if you don't wanna cross any creeks.

https://jimmyjamhikingclub.com/2019/06/ ... killed-me/

Re: Iva Bell via Duck Pass early season

Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 11:29 am
by schmalz
I crossed Duck Pass right around those exact dates in 2020. It was fine, there was a bit of snow, easily doable with no gear or risk of injury. I think this year will be around the same or better. You'll be fine. I can't speak on the fish creek crossing, we went around on the JMT. I had my dog and my wife with me and was a bit worried about it. I think the crossing is more of a concern than the pass but it'll probably be fine.