Conditions and tips for Roper's SHR from Haeckel Col to Lake Italy-ish

[genetastic]

I'm planning a hike next week on a section of Roper's Sierra High Route and am looking for any comments on recent trail conditions or favorite camping sites or thoughts on these two alternatives. Target is 10 to 12ish miles for off-trail travel. I've previously hiked SHR from Road's End to Bishop Pass, so this is my next section.

1. Lake Sabrina TH to Midnight Lake area
2. over Haeckel Col to Evolution Lake
3. over Snow Tongue Pass to Muriel Lake or Lower Golden Trout Lake or Lower Desolation Lake
4. over Puppet Pass to Merriam Lake
- option 1 -
5 & 6. over Feather Pass, then two nights in Bear Lakes basin, maybe out to Vee Lake or Seven Gables Lakes
7. over Italy Pass to Pine Creek TH

- option 2 -
5. over Feather Pass to Lake Italy
6. over Gabbot Pass to Mono Creek, somewhere around Laurel Creek drainage
7. over Mono Pass out to Mono Pass TH

[thegib]

1 Moonlight lake is much less used than Midnight, and only a tiny bit out of your way.
IMO your option #1 is much superior. Lake IT is austere/boring compared to Bear lakes/Vee's environs.

[khamike]

While Gabbott pass itself and upper mills creek are nice, the lower part of mills and mono are pretty bland. And then the climb back up Mono is rutted and torn up by horsepackers. On the other hand, exiting pine creek is pretty but a knee buster of a 5k drop from italy pass. I haven't fully tested it, but my new plan to get in/out from that part of the world is to connect lake italy to cox/north col and come out past treasure lakes. Plus it's short enough to do in a day so you can spend more time exploring the Vee/Bear lake area which is super nice.