High Sierra Topix

Hey folks -

Planning a trip along segment two of Roper's High Route from Dusy Basin to Lake Italy for next June/July. Unfortunately, not very interested in 26 trail miles between the South Lake trailhead and Evolution Valley.

I'm looking in to alternatives to drop in to the JMT south of Evolution, possibly heading out of Lake Sabrina, before continuing the High Route up along Snow Tongue Pass and Humphrey's Basin.

Anyone have experience or recommendations for Class II-III passes or cols in the vicinity of Mt. Darwin and Mt. Powell?

I've done Lamarck Col, which is a decent fallback, but puts us in to the North of Evolution Valley (which I've never been to, and sounds beautiful).

Thanks for any recommendations folks can provide, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi Quercus23,

Welcome to HST!
The three options you have between those peaks are Haeckel, Wallace, and Echo Col. Would recommend doing Echo, then Haeckel, and lastly Wallace Col.

Echo Col: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=8882
Wallace Col: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=7903
Haeckel Col: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=9225

Thanks @Maverick. Really appreciate the recommendations - will check them out!

maverick wrote:Hi Quercus23,

Welcome to HST!
The three options you have between those peaks are Haeckel, Wallace, and Echo Col. Would recommend doing Echo, then Haeckel, and lastly Wallace Col.

Echo Col: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=8882
Wallace Col: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=7903
Haeckel Col: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=9225

Though not clear from the difficulty ratings, Echo Col is much more controlled than is Wallace (I don't know how it compares to Haeckel). Also, Echo Col (class 2-3) is significantly more challenging than Lamarck Col (which you mentioned having done), esp. with a backpack.