High Sierra Topix

Hi All, I'm leaving on Saturday for a weeklong trek to climb peaks around the White Divide. I could use advice about: how to best link Mount Reinstein, Mount Goddard, and Scylla?

Details: I'm starting & ending at Crown Valley Trailhead. My intention is to climb Spanish, Tehipite, Tunemah, Finger, Reinstein. . . and, if possible, Goddard and Scylla. I need help with the linkup between Reinstein, Goddard, and Scylla. See my attached map.

Questions:
1. Overall, how would you link Reinstein, Goddard, and Scylla?
2. How is the traverse between Reinstein Pass and Lake 11818'? Would you advise I go this way?
3. For Reinstein Peak, would it be easier to climb up-and-over the peak itself? ...versus hike around to Valor Pass? If I use Valor Pass, I'd summit Reinstein as a side-trip either using its south face or north ridge.
4. For Martha Lake, I've heard the eastern shore has bad tallus. Would you advise I go the long way around the western shore?
5. For Goddard Canyon, I've heard Lake 10232' has annoying tallus along its eastern shore (see my route). If I were to connect Lake 10232 with Lake 11818 (in Ionion basin), what is the easiest route?

PS, I'm aware lots of snow remains above 10k'. I am monitoring Copernicus Browser satellite images. I will be bringing 10-point crampons and ice axe.

About Me:
I would describe myself as an advanced backpacker. I'm comfortable with cross-country travel, and class 3 passes. I've thru-hiked the PCT and CDT, and I've completed several high routes in the Sierra (see my post history).

Thank-you for any advice you can offer!

I can only answer one of these: Eastern shore of Martha is fine, talus is not bad at all. Your dashed line will be way faster than the long way around.

If I was coming from Blue Canyon pass I might camp SE of Reinstein at 10900' and dayhike Hansen/Scylla via the traverse of yours. Then I'd go over Reinstein pass and head towards Martha, or the lake N of Martha, for access to Goddard. Then out via Valor pass (and climb Reinstein if you didn't already).

The traverse to Scylla from Reinstein is tricky. There is a huge slot gully that blocks a direct route. You cannot see the gully until you are right on it. You may have to lose or gain some elevation to detour it. I have used the east shore of Martha Lake to reach the pass. It is fine. There was a huge snowbank into the lake on the opposite side when I was there. The east side was essentially dry.

can do red line

Did the Scylla and Reinstein part in 1994 as well as east shore of Martha which was easy. Reinstein is easily done from Reinstein Col which Judy and I were going over (to Martha) from 10232. We dropped out packs and climbed Reinstein from there. I recall that everything was class 2 but there was one cliff band we had to surmount (which we did w/o doing any class 3). Scylla we did while were tromping through Ionian Basin. In 1994 did a loop around Mt Goddard from a starting point at North Lake (d1 Darwin Bench, d2 to Ionian Basin (via Wanda Col), d3 climb Scylla and move to 10232, d4 dayhike to Blue Canyon, d5 to Martha L via Reinstein col and climb Reinstein. d6 to Evolution (unnamed lake btw Sapphire and Wanda) via Davis, d7 dayhike to McGee Lakes. d8 out to North Lake. Had Goddard been in our sights we had several different options, including climbing it from Ionian Basin or Martha or Davis.

Thanks all -- @Paul @thegib @WanderingDaisy @Gazelle @giantbrookie -- great advice all around. I've incorporated your advice, and now I feel confident about my route. I'll post back with my TR

Agreed with the majority here, that the talus on the eastern shore of Martha Lake is nothing to worry about.

Same with the talus on the eastern side of 10,232. It's perhaps slower to move through there than average; but it's truly no big deal. The good camping is on the south shore of that lake.

That basin draining from the north side of Scylla, down towards the west...Those are very beautiful lakes. Don't rush too much. That lowest lake in that basin - before the stream steepens down towards 10,232 - has the wildest colors. Well worth the short diversion.

noahzz wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 9:21 pm Anyone knows the name of this lake ? Been wanting to backpack to it for a while now. I think it’s above evolution Valley somewhere

That is very similar to the view from the southern flank of Mt Spencer. I bet it's from the lake just to the east @11810