Cartridge Pass
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:47 pm
CARTRIDGE PASS
GENERAL OVERVIEW: This pass leads from Lake Basin to the South Fork of the Kings River from which you can take the Muro Blanco out west or go east and catch the John Muir Trail between Pinchot and Mather Passes
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 1 to 2
LOCATION: Kings Canyon National Park, Cirque Crest HST Map
ELEVATION: 12,162 (ft).
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt Pinchot, CA
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Approaching from the north, travel through Lake Basin to the northernmost lake in the Basin. At the north end of that lake on the right side of the bowl look for the obvious finer sand and talus streaks in the cliff....this is your use trail. The first two thirds of your climb though not really exposed are steep with loose footing. However, two thirds up the pass you will come upon a small flat bench to catch your breath and views. From that bench the trail is less steep and exposed to the top. At the top enjoy lovely views back on Lake Basin as well as incredible views south towards Bench Lake, Arrow Peak etc Dropping down the south side you will find a decent non maintained use trail, possibly made in 1935 by Sierra Clubbers who made their largest ever expedition of the Sierra Nevada in this region with 100 travelers and enough stock to maintain them on the trip. The trail drops down several hundred feet to a nice lake, then goes over a cliff and drops down 1,200 ft more into the canyon of the South Fork of the Kings. Dropping down to the river is hot, dusty and steep necessitating numerous small switchbacks. Once down to the river you face either numerous talus fields and world famous bushwacking to get thru the Muro Blanco, or you face several very long talus fields presenting you with hours and hours of talus field crossings to reach the John Muir Trail.
GENERAL OVERVIEW: This pass leads from Lake Basin to the South Fork of the Kings River from which you can take the Muro Blanco out west or go east and catch the John Muir Trail between Pinchot and Mather Passes
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 1 to 2
LOCATION: Kings Canyon National Park, Cirque Crest HST Map
ELEVATION: 12,162 (ft).
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt Pinchot, CA
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Approaching from the north, travel through Lake Basin to the northernmost lake in the Basin. At the north end of that lake on the right side of the bowl look for the obvious finer sand and talus streaks in the cliff....this is your use trail. The first two thirds of your climb though not really exposed are steep with loose footing. However, two thirds up the pass you will come upon a small flat bench to catch your breath and views. From that bench the trail is less steep and exposed to the top. At the top enjoy lovely views back on Lake Basin as well as incredible views south towards Bench Lake, Arrow Peak etc Dropping down the south side you will find a decent non maintained use trail, possibly made in 1935 by Sierra Clubbers who made their largest ever expedition of the Sierra Nevada in this region with 100 travelers and enough stock to maintain them on the trip. The trail drops down several hundred feet to a nice lake, then goes over a cliff and drops down 1,200 ft more into the canyon of the South Fork of the Kings. Dropping down to the river is hot, dusty and steep necessitating numerous small switchbacks. Once down to the river you face either numerous talus fields and world famous bushwacking to get thru the Muro Blanco, or you face several very long talus fields presenting you with hours and hours of talus field crossings to reach the John Muir Trail.