High Sierra Topix

I just spent two days at Elba Lake watching the waterfall and thinking how neat Royce Lakes must be.

Visually from looking across the canyon, on the Harrison map, and on Google Earth, it seems like if you leave the Pine Creek Pass trail just slightly on the French Canyon side you can walk over 1st class slabs and tundra all the way to Royce Lakes.

In Secor and the Sierra South guidebook, they have you descending to the Honeymoon Lake area or the Lake Italy trail to get to Royce. But I don't see why you have to? What giant obstacle am I missing? Would like to do this next summer.

Getting to Royce Lakes from Pine Creek Pass is about as easy as off trail travel can be. Your assessment is right on the money. I have come down that way from Royce Lakes and it was a mellow stroll.

Yay! I can't go again this year sadly but will pencil this in for next year.