High Sierra Topix

I'm hoping for information on a pass I'd like to travel over next summer. This seems like something I should be able to find elsewhere, but I'm not turning up anything. I thought that with the centuries of Sierra experience on this board someone's probably been over it and might share beta.
The goal is to get into French Canyon from the Pine Creek trailhead via the 'scenic route': trail to the Gable Lakes, then x-country to Upper Horton Lake, then south to what looks like a pretty low-angle pass leading to Desolation Lake at N 37.28607 W 118.68444 (map link provided at bottom of message). It's that pass I'm most curious to hear about. For those working with paper maps, the pass is right next to peak 12,876 on the 7.5' map. It's about equidistant between Mt. Humpherys and Four Gables on the divide. Here's a link to the ACME map for the exact position (copy and paste into a new browser window): Anyone know anything about this pass? I'm all for class III scrambling, but I stay away from anything that makes me really want a rope. On the map this looks fine, but I'd rather hear it from someone who's been over it themselves.
Thanks a bundle!

James

This pass is described in Secor, as part of the South Ridge Route on Four Gables. "climb from Upper Horton Lakes to the next basin to the south. Bypass the glacier in this cirque and climb a steep talus slope to the south, eventually reaching a saddle at 12,640. Class 2"

I have not personally done this route.

Haven't been there, but near there. From Google Earth, It looks doable, but the descent might be a small challenge. One rock at a time. The Blue cross looks simple after the pass, but then you have to decide the descent route with either of the two red crosses:
GE can't see the size of the boulders under 3x3x3, so think man-sized talus.

It may be harder to x-country from Gable lakes to Upper Hoprton...

I haven't been that way but I have some shots in that direction from last summer's climb of four gables from steelhead lake.

Most of these photos were taken from the north/west side of the FG plateau looking towards Humphreys. Not sure if they are useful but take 'em for what they are...I'm sure the 'interesting' part is the stuff not visible from this direction.

Thanks very much folks! I'll take this all into consideration and be sure to post a trip report after we get back.

James

Calipidder - those pictures are absolutely beautiful. Fantastic. Steelhead Lake.

A direct route is up the NE ridge of Four Gables. I have skied this route w to e, but not hiked it.

JD

East Side Hiker wrote:It may be harder to x-country from Gable lakes to Upper Hoprton...

James, how did this section go? I'm planning to do the same.

I have a similar trip planned this summer, starting from Pine Creek Stables up to Gable Lakes, then probably over Puppet (did Steelhead a few years ago)...over to West Pinnacles, then the Bear Lakes Basin, down through Granite Park and out. Looks like it should be a nice loop.

On Sierra(s) Miguel's map the route goes over Four Gables Pass then south of the crest that is west of Hanging Valley, more or less straight down to Lower Horton...I'm trying to decide between that and staying on the crest and doing the switchbacks down to Lower Horton. The Steep Part seems to be several hundred feet below the pass - I won't be in the mood to turn around and go back up to the crest, but on the other hand I don't want to waste too much time on Class 3+ surprises so early in the trip.

Anybody been this way?