trip planning advice:Rodgers Pass to LyellofMerced & Hutchin
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 1:56 pm
Hi High Sierra Topix Community,
I guess you'd call me a "lurker". I've been using your information to help plan my cross country trips in the Sierra. Last year I used a TR of Wandering Daisy's for a fantastic trip over Taboose Pass, Cartridge Pass, Dumbell Pass and Cataract Pass. Her detailed descriptions of the passes really increased our enjoyment and helped keep anxiety at bay.
I've been eyeing the Hutchings Creek and Lyell Fork of the Merced for years and am planning on going next week. I was a bit dismayed to see that you just had your meet-up there, but I guess that confirms my suspicions that this is a special spot and I can use your recent travels to help plan my route.
We have 5 full days, and the car shuttle and permits will be set the day before.
Day 1:June Lake up Rush creek to Marie lakes That meadow below the lakes is so lovely.
Day 2: up and over Rodgers Pass, except I keep reading about the heinous and scary loose scree/talus (what is the difference?) on the west side of Rodgers Pass.Is it really that bad if one takes it slow and cautiously? How to safely do with 3 people? One at a time? spread out or stick together? On so many of my Sierra cross country travels I really enjoy the adventure of the passes and as much I try to avoid where possible, I understand that scree and talus are one of the unpleasant prices we pay to access these special places.
Day 3: Sluggo pass into Hutchings
Day 4:: Hutchings to Florence Lake area-any recommendations for routes and destinations?
Day 5:Hit the trail out to Vogelsang, Rafferty Creek, Tuolumne.
So question is: Rodgers Pass? or is there another route to consider that will work in my time frame? I considered North Glacier Pass (have done before) and then Old Bones or Blue Lake Pass as I have not visited Bench Canyon. But I don't think we have time to go this route. Should I consider Russel pass or Lyell col?
The other (completely different) trip we have considered is an Evolution loop. Comments?
A bit about me (and my partners): We live in Tahoe, so already mostly acclimated. Rock-climbers, so OK with class 3, but won't have gear for technical. We do many High Sierra trips with the goal of staying high and off trail as much as possible. Have done many sections of Roper's SHR and through hiked the JMT. Much prefer granite slabs and meadows to talus hoping. :}
Need to start and end on the Eastside.
Thanks for any input and I'll submit a TR when I return.
Tahoe23
I guess you'd call me a "lurker". I've been using your information to help plan my cross country trips in the Sierra. Last year I used a TR of Wandering Daisy's for a fantastic trip over Taboose Pass, Cartridge Pass, Dumbell Pass and Cataract Pass. Her detailed descriptions of the passes really increased our enjoyment and helped keep anxiety at bay.
I've been eyeing the Hutchings Creek and Lyell Fork of the Merced for years and am planning on going next week. I was a bit dismayed to see that you just had your meet-up there, but I guess that confirms my suspicions that this is a special spot and I can use your recent travels to help plan my route.
We have 5 full days, and the car shuttle and permits will be set the day before.
Day 1:June Lake up Rush creek to Marie lakes That meadow below the lakes is so lovely.
Day 2: up and over Rodgers Pass, except I keep reading about the heinous and scary loose scree/talus (what is the difference?) on the west side of Rodgers Pass.Is it really that bad if one takes it slow and cautiously? How to safely do with 3 people? One at a time? spread out or stick together? On so many of my Sierra cross country travels I really enjoy the adventure of the passes and as much I try to avoid where possible, I understand that scree and talus are one of the unpleasant prices we pay to access these special places.
Day 3: Sluggo pass into Hutchings
Day 4:: Hutchings to Florence Lake area-any recommendations for routes and destinations?
Day 5:Hit the trail out to Vogelsang, Rafferty Creek, Tuolumne.
So question is: Rodgers Pass? or is there another route to consider that will work in my time frame? I considered North Glacier Pass (have done before) and then Old Bones or Blue Lake Pass as I have not visited Bench Canyon. But I don't think we have time to go this route. Should I consider Russel pass or Lyell col?
The other (completely different) trip we have considered is an Evolution loop. Comments?
A bit about me (and my partners): We live in Tahoe, so already mostly acclimated. Rock-climbers, so OK with class 3, but won't have gear for technical. We do many High Sierra trips with the goal of staying high and off trail as much as possible. Have done many sections of Roper's SHR and through hiked the JMT. Much prefer granite slabs and meadows to talus hoping. :}
Need to start and end on the Eastside.
Thanks for any input and I'll submit a TR when I return.
Tahoe23