High Sierra Topix

Whoa, looks like I am not getting notified about replies to my thread. Thanks all for your input. Awesome guidance! The descent down the drainage posted by WanderingDaisy looks epic.

Harlen - is this the general area you were at for those photos?

Just read your TR. Amazing. What a trip!

This spot could be in play. It’s close-ish to the valley. Passed by it on the way out from a trip. Might be a bit too far off your itinerary though. It has a cool view of moraine dome and bunnell point. Sadly I do not have pictures.

37.74919, -119.45232

Midnight Sun, you wrote:

Harlen - is this the general area you were at for those photos?

Nope. I was on the other side, northwest of Foerster Peak. I had crossed Blue Lake Pass, and was on the ridge that runs from Foerster over to what is called Peak 11,210T on the HST Resources map.

I recall thinking that the best place to descend from that ridge to the Lyell Fork was right below that peak, due east of it. I was further up that ridge for the photos. Good Luck, Ian.

Here is a map of a pass I used to go from Blue Lakes to the Upper Lyell Fork. I am pretty sure it was the more western flagged pass. I dropped down to the flat area from the lake west of Blue Lake pass - I suppose you could also stay higher. The topography is not very distinct on the south side and hard to tell exactly where you are. Going lower was easier navigation for me. If you have a GPS staying higher and going down the ridge may be easier.

The north side of the pass itself was very steep- pretty much a scary slot gully for the first 200 feet gradually getting easier downward. Then you walk on timbered ledges towards the lakes in the Lyell Fork. I am not sure my line on the map is 100% correct. The ledges themselves are pretty obvious- just stay on what works. I did not think it was an easy route, but then I have no other routes off that ridge to compare it with. I regret that I was too stressed to take a photo of the steep part of the pass. I am not sure it is a pass I would recommend, but it worked.

I recall that once on the timbered ledges I ran into tons of bear poo. Yes, Harlen, every path I seem to take is full of bears. I am a bear magnet.


This is a photo looking back at the ridge from the first lake. It shows more talus to descend to get to the timbered ridges- it must have been fairly easy because I do not recall any difficulties, once down the steep slot, which does not show up on this photo. I took the photo at 10:45AM and probably left Blue Lake about 9AM.

Here is what I wrote in my trip report.
"When I reached the edge, the north side looked impossible. Well, I would give it a try. The upper part was loose, seep and scary but once down about 200 feet I could drop from one bench to another, ending up on a broad vegetated bench loaded with signs of bears. I easily traversed east to Lake 10217 making lots of noise to warn bears, arriving at 1PM. I may have been the first person down that obscure class2 pass. With its very tricky route finding I can hardly recommend it as a good route. At least I was now in the Lyell Fork."

Here is a link to the full trip report.

viewtopic.php?p=171382&hilit=2006#p171382

Midnight Sun,
WD wrote:

Here is a map of a pass I used to go from Blue Lakes to the Upper Lyell Fork. I am pretty sure it was the more western flagged pass. I dropped down to the flat area from the lake west of Blue Lake pass

I reckon that is it exactly- the western route. Have fun. I wish I was there right now!

She also wrote:

I recall that once on the timbered ledges I ran into tons of bear poo. Yes, Harlen, every path I seem to take is full of bears. I am a bear magnet.

What's your secret Daisy, do you rub honey into your hair? I'd do it too if I had any hair left.

p.s. That is a great report you linked, but it is not the one from the Lyell Fork of the Merced area.

i went where your circle is found it to be not too bad had harder time getting to blue lakes from above, going up would be easier

Hey Midnight,

Nice route. Looks challenging. Here is a spot I've been to on several trips. Once in the 90's, another on a trans-sierra ski tour, and the third time was just a couple of years ago.

37.70365, -119.28895. Lake under Ansel Adams


Enjoy your trip.