|
Post by offtrail on Jun 27, 2019 17:56:30 GMT -8
Cweston,
Just one too many zeros! When I did that route, I went from Shangri-La Lakes area (Lakes 10730/10790) over Bloody Hell Pass to Brown Cliff Lake (10980). It was a normal snow year so we encountered lots of boulders. It still took us around 7 hours with lots of hopping. Probably could have gone to the next series of lakes, but no way made it to Douglas Lake. So it's a very doable route. My only concern would be the high snow year. Falling between the room size boulders would be a real concern. Now I will add one suggestion. Since you have the Pallister book, take a look at the plateau route. It goes to the same area (Lake 10590) area where you can then pick up the old Hay Pass trail. I haven't done that route, but I think it would be beautiful and you would avoid a lot of boulders.
offtrail
|
|
panatomicx
Trail Wise!
Less noise and more green
Posts: 498
|
Post by panatomicx on Jun 28, 2019 17:16:08 GMT -8
Don't know how much these readings reflect conditions in the backcountry, but Elkhart Park, Gunsight Pass, and Hobbs Park Snotel are down to Zero.
|
|
|
Post by swimswithtrout on Jun 28, 2019 18:40:07 GMT -8
Too much to see, too little time. Larrys nailed it, if the Wind's had roads, it would be a National Park.
The Titcomb Basin is the Crown Jewel of the Winds... but there is a lifetime of routes that will take you even further into the backcountry with equally spectacular scenery.
Dorf's route, which is the one I laid out for him, is the easiest, most scenic loop for a time constricted trip.
If you could squeeze in 10 days, the options open up immensely.
Elkhart to Jean LK, to Peak Lk, over Knapsack Col and Bonney Pass towards Gannett Peak and down. Some rough off-trail up and over Horse Ridge then down into the Dry Creek Lks and over N Indian Pass, than back up and over the S Indian Pass, and down into Indian Basin and back out.
I can't even remember how many times I've posted this, a compilation of multiple trips dating back to 1972, but the loop I'm talking about starts about 1/2 way through the slideshow, my now wife's first time backpacking....
I knew I had a "Keeper" after she survived that trip.
|
|
|
Post by bstark on Jun 30, 2019 15:26:45 GMT -8
I'll second offtrail's suggestion of the plateau bypass of bloody hell pass. Although bloody hell pass is doable, and a fine route if you're up for boulder scrambles, if I were to ever get back there again the plateau route looks to have fantastic views and probably skips the boulders/scrambling in the pass itself. It does add more elevation gain and more exposure if storms move in.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Jul 1, 2019 9:27:04 GMT -8
Thanks for all of the advice, folks.
I think we will basecamp on Knifepoint Creek, head toward Helen Glacier and Blaurock Pass on the first basecamp day, and do the Plateau route ("Goat-Friendly High Route") on the second basecamp day if the weather is favorable. (If the weather is less favorable, we'll lolligag around Shangri-la.) Then return over Indian Pass and visit Titcomb Basin.
This is one of the primary advantages to basecamping in remote off-trail areas, IMHO: If the weather is bad, or if the route just seems harder than you anticipated, you don't have to do it, since it’s just an out&back from camp.
|
|
|
Post by lerxst on Jul 1, 2019 15:47:38 GMT -8
As an aside to all this, CalTopo has added a new layer that you can see the updated image every five days. If you go to add a layer pick weekly hi-res from the drop down. Snow line looks to be around 9-10k as of 6/27, depending on location. Have a blast.
|
|
|
Post by calidream on Jul 4, 2019 11:41:39 GMT -8
I can't even remember how many times I've posted this, a compilation of multiple trips dating back to 1972, A beautiful piece, SWT. What a blessing to have been there.
|
|