Class 2 pass. This pass leads from the Northern Part of Upper Basin to the basin West of the Palisade Lakes.

Since we did not climb down the North side of this pass I can not give a first hand description of it. But according to what we saw and our photos it looked like an easy but long talus slog that stayed within Class 2.

The South side of this pass is approached from the largest lake in Upper Basin below Mt. Prater and Bolton Brown. From the lake follow the drainage up via grassy ramps and small talus fields. Towards the top the talus fields get larger but remain relatively stable. The final climb to the top features some sand, dirt, and talus. Overall an easy Class 2 pass from the South. - by alpinemike 16 Oct 2016

More Bolton Brown's Shoulder Info on HST Forums

ERIC 02-26 -2017

A class 2 pass. This pass leads from the lowest Royce Lakes to lake below Merriam Peak on the West Side.

The East side of this pass usually has a permanent snowfield on it which requires an ice ax and likely crampons/micro-spikes depending on the condition of the snow. The bottom of the pass is a jumble of mostly stable talus and boulders. We stayed on the rock as long as possible by contouring around and not going directly up. Once we hit the snow we traversed across and went directly up at the very top. The steepest section at the top is no higher than 30-35 degrees.

The West side of this pass is Class 2 with talus, sand, and ledges. Should pose no route finding issues. - by alpinemike 16 Oct 2016

More Royce-Merriam Saddle Info on HST Forums

ERIC 02-26 -2017

Class 2. This pass leads from the upper part Granite Park to the highest Royce Lake.

The East side of this pass is fairly straightforward. Go up granite shelves and ramps into you're in a wide and not very steep chute. The chute takes you to the top of the pass and is Class 2. The chute may also be obtained all the way at the bottom by the lake.

The West side of this pass is also Class 2 and may be descended directly down to the lake or by traversing slightly to the South around the shoulder of Peak 12,470. Large boulders are at the bottom of the pass by the Royce Lake directly below it. - by alpinemike 16 Oct 2016

More Granite Pass (Croft Col) Info on HST Forums

ERIC 02-26 -2017

Class 1/2 pass. Leads between Tyndal and Write Creeks in Sequoia National Park. This pass does not really need a description as from Tyndal or Wright creeks the saddle is obvious, the country is wide open, and there is a user trail once you get within a few hundred feet of vertical on either side. Class 1. - by oldranger 20 Feb 2017

More Rockwell Pass Info on HST Forums

copeg 02-21 -2017

Class 2 pass. Class 2 on eastern side down to Big Bird Lake over large slabs. From the Tablelands just head to the Pass where the small tarn at the head of the Big Bird Lake Chain of lakes is located. If you can't read a map and the terrain you are SOL because there really are no distinctive features to point out. To drop down to Big Bird do not drop down to the lakes above Big Bird but work your way down and East toward the ridge that slopes SSE to the west of Big Bird. From that ridge there is a steep grass covered gully that leads down to the lake about 2/3 of the way down the lake. An alternate route is to traverse North on the side of the ridge to the lake basin NW of Big Bird Lake going to about the second lowest lake in the chain before traversing and dropping to the North end of Big Bird. The reverse of either route will get you from Big Bird to Tablelands pass. The green gully that drops down to the lake is pretty obvious from the north end of the lake. - by oldranger 20 Feb 2017

More Tableland Pass Info on HST Forums

copeg 02-21 -2017

Class 2-3. Leads from Steelhead Lake into Pioneer Basin.

The South Side of is easy and straightforward. A simple sand and scree slope.

The North side I have not done but from photos it looks like a major talus and boulder field. It is a moraine pile and from experience on moraine piles I'm sure it will be quite loose in places. Snow will also be found on the Northern side in average snow years so an ice ax would be useful and warranted. - by alpinemike 16 Feb 2017

More Stanford Col Info on HST Forums

copeg 02-16 -2017

Class 2. Gives access between upper Horton Lakes and Desolation Lake, crossing the Sierra Crest about half way between Four Gables and Mt. Humphreys. Secor provides good descriptions of this route (from both sides) as approach routes for climbing Mt. Humphreys. From the upper of the two Upper Horton Lakes, go up the rockbound valley (heading SW) on medium to large talus. There appear to be two possible gulley routes along the south wall of this small valley on both sides of a cliff band. We tried and succeeded on the first of these. It was small loose talus and scree, but doable with full packs. From the top of the gully, an easy shallow valley leads to the obvious, sandy pass. Desolation Lake is an easy walk down. It also looked like you could follow the foot of Humphreys toward the Humphrey's Lakes and Piute Pass. - by seejay317 18 Sep 2016

More One-Way Pass Info on HST Forums

ERIC 09-19 -2016

Moderate Class 2 pass. This pass leads from the popular Miter Basin area to the lovely Crabtree Lakes chain.

"Parenthetical numbers in the text refer to numbers on map attached to the below linked thread. Starting from the north shore of Sky Blue Lake, head west along the north shore of the lake to a small waterfall at the inlet. There are a few ways up this waterfall, but the best is a ramp that starts west of the waterfall and tacks back east to the head of it ('1' on map). After a short uphill you'll reach a confluence (2). To the east, a gently sloped creek takes you to Arc Pass, to the west, a steeper creek takes you to Crabtree. Turn west and either walk right up the creek or follow a cairned route along the north slope of the creekbed. You'll top out at a rocky, flat basin with a small lake in the middle (3). Walk west on either shore of this lake and find a rocky moraine at the lake's head (4). A tall cairn stands out at the top of this moraine. Scramble up the moraine on one of several routes - it's a little steep with some loose sand, but not hard - and gain the top. Turn right and walk north along the top of the moraine until you can look east into another flat, rocky basin with another small lake (5). Walk east past this lake into a meadow with two decent campsites. From here, a broad granite ramp cuts west and up the slope to the north (6). Walk up this ramp to the outlet creek of the small lake west of Mount Newcomb, then follow this creek up to the lake itself (7). This lake is probably the most important navigational point, so whatever you do, make sure you end up here. From the outlet of this lake, walk east along the south shore until it gets rocky and steep. Gain about 20 feet of elevation above the lakeshore and countour northeast to a saddle on the lake's east side. Cross this saddle and pick up a route of intermittent cairns and use trails. This route wasn't quite well marked enough to follow full-time, but try to broadly keep the same elevation - DON'T drop down to Lake 3697. After a rough contour that requires a few ups and downs, you'll come to a tiny tarn (8). Climb up on the left side of this tarn to a larger one (9). Swing around this tarn on its west side, then head east around its north shore. A granite cliff will peter out as you move east and you'll shortly be able to swing around it into a rocky, bouldery draw. Start up the bottom of the draw until a really good use trail becomes obvious on your left (10). This trail leads you out of the draw, behind a low rock wall, and up to the pass." - by shtinkypuppie 31 Aug 2016

More Crabtree Pass / Miter Pass info on the HST Forums

ERIC 08-31 -2016

Difficult Class 2. This pass gives access between the Bear Lake Basin to the Italy Pass Tail just below the outlet of Lake Italy. Specifically, it runs from White Bear Lake down past Brown Bear Lake.

"Parenthetical numbers in the text refer to numbers on map attached to the below linked thread. This description is also in the opposite direction as RJ Secor provides.
Starting from just about anywhere in the Bear Lakes/Vee Lake area, get to the outlet of Black Bear Lake. From here, look north to see a broad green ramp leading up from the north shore (1). Follow a decent use trail up this ramp to a pair of very small, possibly dry tarns. Hike between them, along the northeast shore of the westernmost lake. Come across the little drainage connecting the two tarns, then up an obvious dirt ramp to the north, turning left (west) as you ascend the ramp (2). This will bring you straight to the east shore of White Bear Lake. From here, ascend slightly onto the little granite knob that cliffs out the east shore of White Bear Lake - not too high (you'll find yourself on the use trail for Dancing Bear Pass), but maybe 6-10 feet above the lakeshore. Contour north along the flank of this knob (3) until it gives way to a nice sandy slope with an obvious tread cut across it (4). This tread will take you right to the summit of White Bear Pass." - by shtinkypuppie 31 Aug 2016

More White Bear Pass Info on the HST Forums

ERIC 08-31 -2016

maverick 07-21 -2016

Class 2 pass. The low point of the saddle has a cliff on its northwestern side. From Milestone Creek, approach the pass on its far right (north) side, then traverse to the left (south) down into the pass. from Milestone Bowl, climb to the low point of the saddle and follow the ridge on the left (north) until it is possible descend easily to Milestone Creek.
Milestone Pass Information

copeg 07-13 -2016

Class 2 pass. From Bench Lake for the second saddle southwest of Arrow Peak (the first saddle has a cliff on its northern side). From the top of the pass, traverse west above the lake at the head of Arrow Peak before descending the creek to the lowest lake in the basin.

Arrow Pass Information

copeg 07-13 -2016

Class 2. Provides access between Harriet Lake / Forester Creek and Blue Lake / Bench Canyon. Steep talus on the western side.

Blue Lake Pass in the Forums

copeg 07-13 -2016

Cross country approach from North Lake to Darwin Bench. Class 2.

Leave the Lamarck Lakes Trail between the two lakes (UTM 542196) approximately where the trail crosses the stream. Descend the use trail southwest thru a clearing and small pond climbing the steep slope above, continue southwest thru a sandy valley to the small lake (pond) situated below the Lamarck ridgeline and at the base of the seasonal glacier/snowfield. There are different locations indicated online for where Lamarck Col proper is located, it's location is at: 37.1904900, -118.6673300

Once at the top start you descent keeping north of the lakes, try to slowly descend toward Lake #4, as you get closer you will encounter numerous use trails, pick one and descend in Darwin Canyon skirting the lakes on their northern side. Make sure to turn around and memorize the location of Lamarck Col, if you carry a camera turn around and take several shots so you will ascend towards the correct location on you way back. - by maverick - 30 Jun 2016

More Lamarck Col Info on the HST Forums

ERIC 06-30 -2016

Theodore Solomons Trail

Maps for Theodore Solomons Trail in the HST Forums

ERIC 06-28 -2016

maverick 06-17 -2016

maverick 05-17 -2016

maverick 05-13 -2016

maverick 05-13 -2016

maverick 05-12 -2016