Glacier Pass (Mineral King)
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 4:24 pm
TITLE: Glacier Pass
GENERAL OVERVIEW: This Pass leads connects the Sawtooth Pass trail to Spring Lake and the Cliff Creek drainage.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2 with a 50 foot class 3 stretch at the top on the north
LOCATION: Sequoia National Park, Mineral King HST Map
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mineral King quad
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From north to south: Ascend the drainage SW of Spring lake, following the use trail on the east side of the small creek. I then ascended the ramps on the west side of the drainage and skirted around to the bottom of the pass (Blue path). Start climbing up talus towards the notches on that lead up to the top. I prefer to avoid the loose talus and instead climb the rock that makes up the gullys. It gets steep but there are plenty of hand- and foot-holds. Every 6-10 feet there's a place to stand and reorient yourself as you climb, and it's only ~50 feet of climbing. Alternatively (Red path) there appears to be a bypass to the east by climbing talus and avoiding the steep cliffs. From the pass walk east to meet up with the Sawtooth pass trail. Or, as Secor suggests, head straight down the drainage and follow Monarch Creek down until it hits the trail.
PHOTOS: These were taken September 2nd, 2019, a very high snow year. Snowfields may persist late into the season, but I stayed west and avoided all snow.
GENERAL OVERVIEW: This Pass leads connects the Sawtooth Pass trail to Spring Lake and the Cliff Creek drainage.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2 with a 50 foot class 3 stretch at the top on the north
LOCATION: Sequoia National Park, Mineral King HST Map
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mineral King quad
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From north to south: Ascend the drainage SW of Spring lake, following the use trail on the east side of the small creek. I then ascended the ramps on the west side of the drainage and skirted around to the bottom of the pass (Blue path). Start climbing up talus towards the notches on that lead up to the top. I prefer to avoid the loose talus and instead climb the rock that makes up the gullys. It gets steep but there are plenty of hand- and foot-holds. Every 6-10 feet there's a place to stand and reorient yourself as you climb, and it's only ~50 feet of climbing. Alternatively (Red path) there appears to be a bypass to the east by climbing talus and avoiding the steep cliffs. From the pass walk east to meet up with the Sawtooth pass trail. Or, as Secor suggests, head straight down the drainage and follow Monarch Creek down until it hits the trail.
PHOTOS: These were taken September 2nd, 2019, a very high snow year. Snowfields may persist late into the season, but I stayed west and avoided all snow.