|
This is the most accurate and complete information available on High
Sierra Passes. Please
email me (Phil Martz) with corrections or more definitive information.
Notes:
- Map: Clicking on the pass name brings up a map of the pass and surrounding area.
- Pass Variations: If there are important variations to the pass, there will be a second entry
with the word "Option" or "Alternate".
Difficulty Definitions:
- Class 1 - Walking on easy terrain. This applies to all developed,
maintained trails, and the most gradual of off-trail passes.
- Class 2 - More difficult off-trail passes. There is a wide range of
difficulty encompassed by "class 2". Possibly very extensive
and exhausting boulder hopping, steep hiking over loose rock, talus, and scree. Hands may be
used for balance. Some risk of falling is present, but your
exposure (i.e., the distance you would fall) is usually not great. Occasionally, the more
difficult class 2 passes may require roping of packs for short stretches. Route finding is
critical: The "correct" route may be class 2, but a slight variation,
deviation, or choice of direction may quickly become class 3 or 4.
- Class 3 - This is climbing and should not be attempted without
having the proper skills and experience. Your exposure (i.e., distance below) is
a risk. You must know how to climb safely. You must know when to turn back. Correct route
finding is critical. Hands and arms
are used for holding on and to climb. Some stretches may require
roping of packs, and individuals may require a belay. Miscues may result in
serious falls and
injury.
| Pass |
Lat |
Long |
Elev |
Description |
| Agassiz Col | 37.10736 | -118.53071 | 13,043 |
Class 3. This and Scimitar Pass are the couple of direct crossings of the
Palisades. West side access is more easily attained by the Bishop Pass Trail. |
| Agnew Pass | 37.73384 | -119.14379 | 9,896 |
Class 1 trail. |
| Alpine Col | 37.21483 | -118.69466 | 12,243 |
Class 2. Talus and loose rock. Go around the east side of Lake 11,910. |
| Alpine Pass | 37.0127 | -118.70222 | 11,173 |
Class 2. |
| Andy's Foot Pass | 36.69932 | -118.39541 | 13,690 |
Class 2. Ice axe required |
| Arc Pass | 36.55139 | -118.27083 | 12,927 |
Class 2-3. |
| Armstrong Col | 36.91637 | -118.37506 | 11,833 |
Class 2. |
| Arrow Peak Descent 1 | 36.89953 | -118.48222 | 11,018 |
Class 2. From Arrow Peak/Pass, route descending to Woods Creek. Martz |
| Arrow Peak Descent 2 | 36.88141 | -118.48049 | 9,641 |
Class 2. Steep brush and dirt bushwhack or slabs. Martz |
| Arrow Pass | 36.92448 | -118.47881 | 11,661 |
Class 2. Rock. Arrow Peak is class 2 from here. Route from Arrow Peak/Pass area descending to Woods Creek. |
| Avalanche Pass | 36.74764 | -118.55898 | 10,046 |
Class 1 trail. |
| Bard Pass | 37.51466 | -118.88611 | 12,051 |
Class 2. |
| Basin Notch | 36.82552 | -118.41858 | 10,726 |
Class 1. |
| Baxter Pass | 36.83533 | -118.37593 | 12,250 |
Class 1 trail. |
| Beck Lakes Pass | 37.64292 | -119.16856 | 10,791 |
Class 2. |
| Bighorn Pass | 37.46594 | -118.86566 | 11,281 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route |
| Bilko Pass | 36.46933 | -118.541 | 11,355 |
Class 3 |
| Birch Creek Pass | 37.06571 | -118.44291 | 12,756 |
Class 3 |
| Bishop Pass | 37.11503 | -118.54491 | 11,979 |
Class 1 trail. One of the easiest east side passes. Provides access to the
superb Dusy Basin. |
| Blackcap Pass | 37.07631 | -118.78583 | 11,155 |
Class 2. Blackcap Mountain is class 1 from here. |
| Black Giant Pass
Map 2 | 37.10131 | -118.65797 | 12,191 |
Class 2. This is an easy pass into the Ionian Basin.
The contrast is striking: On the shoulder of
the Black Giant (class 2 from here), to the south, a dramatic vista of darker mountains. To the
north, the clean granite of the Evolution region. Circle Lake 11,828 on
its NW side to it's outlet. |
| Black Rock Pass | 36.48592 | -118.55191 | 11,682 |
Class 1 Trail |
| Bloody Pass | 37.55529 | -118.91388 | 11,314 |
Class 1 Trail. Bloody Mountain is class 2 from here. |
| Blue Canyon Pass | 37.02962 | -118.72205 | 11,462 |
Class 2. |
| Blue Lake Pass | 37.68505 | -119.29069 | 11,237 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route |
| Bolton Brown Shoulder | 37.04734 | -118.44649 | 13,271 |
Class 2. |
| Brewer Pass | 36.70325 | -118.48005 | 12,623 |
Class 2. Alternative route for east side is the east ridge of Mt. Brewer.
Mt. Brewer is class 2 from the pass and from the east ridge. |
| Bunny Ears Pass (also Hands and
Knees, or Cyclamen Lake) | 36.47413 | -118.54695 | 11,113 |
Class 3 |
| Carol Col or
Puppet Pass | 37.27819 | -118.72424 | 11,804 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route. AKA Puppet Pass. |
| Carter Col | 37.51252 | -118.88133 | 12,128 |
Class 2. |
| Cartridge Pass | 36.97554 | -118.48735 | 11,760 |
Class 2. |
| Cataract Creek Pass | 37.02192 | -118.51611 | 11,499 |
Class 2. Observation Peak is class 2 from here. |
| Charybdis Col | 37.08866 | -118.66144 | 12,056 |
Class 2. Enchanted Gorge access: Follow the string of small lakes and north
side of outlet creek for a steep descent into Enchanted Gorge. |
| Chimney Pass (Secor) | 37.07477 | -118.4898 | 12,579 |
Class 2. Secor location is .5 S. of Palisade Crest, another option (appears to
be lower and easier) is .7 SW of Palisade Crest. Another option even better
appears to be Cirque Pass. |
| Chimney Pass (correct) | 37.07214 | -118.49315 | 12,422 |
Class 2. Secor location is .5 S. of Palisade Crest, another option (appears to
be lower and easier) is .7 SW of Palisade Crest. |
| Cinder Col | 36.69974 | -118.4911 | 12,105 |
Class 2 |
| Cirque Crest Crossing | 36.94472 | -118.53418 | 12,023 |
Class ?. Martz. Appears feasible, haven't tried it. |
| Cirque Pass | 37.07086 | -118.49987 | 12,047 |
Class 3 in Secor. Sierra High Route. Good route finding avoids most
class 3 work. Secor describes Chimney Pass as preferable, although Chimney is
higher and appears more difficult. Cirque Pass makes nice connection with
Potluck Pass. |
| Cirque Ridge | 36.94523 | -118.52609 | 11,922 |
Class 2-3. |
| Cleaver Col | 36.59531 | -118.27617 | 12,915 |
Class 3. Steep, difficult. Mt Carillon is class 2-3 from here. |
| Clinch Pass | 37.72219 | -119.23266 | 11,506 |
Class 2 |
| Colby Pass | 36.61838 | -118.50118 | 11,977 |
Class 1 Trail |
| Coliseum Col | 36.90452 | -118.38123 | 11,590 |
Class 2. Mt Cedric Wright is class 1 from here. |
| Confusion Pass | 37.0978 | -118.76346 | 11,403 |
Class 2. Valor Pass is easier. |
| Contact Pass | 37.10919 | -118.4854 | 11,752 |
Class 2 |
| Copper Mine Pass (Secor) | 36.60261 | -118.5531 | 11,936 |
Class 2. This pass crosses Glacier Ridge 0.3 mi N of Peak 12,345. Secor
describes as possibly easy to extremely difficult depending on ice. See Coppermine Pass "old". |
| Copper Mine Pass (old) East
West | 36.59627 36.59613 | -118.5505 -118.55822 | 12,169 11,858 |
Class 2. This pass takes the ridge from just S. of the old copper mine along
the ridge of peak 12,345 to connect Deadman and Cloud Canyons. The use trail
is difficult to find coming from the East side. If first crossing
the pass from West to East take careful note of where and how you will recover
the trail when returning from east to west. This pass is easier than the
Secor option described above. |
| Corridor Pass | 37.50627 | -118.85253 | 11,797 |
Class 2 |
| Cottonwood Pass | 36.45356 | -118.21504 | 11,191 |
Class 1 trail. Easy pass rounding the southern end of the High Sierra. North
from here brings one to the Mt. Whitney region. |
| Cox Col | 37.37047 | -118.77011 | 13,044 |
Class 2 |
| Coyote Pass | 36.98031 | -118.76355 | 10,072 |
Class 2 |
| Crabtree Pass | 36.54834 | -118.2811 | 12,585 |
Class 2. Connects upper Rock Creek and Crabtree Lakes. |
| Crater Pass | 36.9318 | -118.42305 | 12,247 |
Class 2. Martz. Whitefork Creek route to the John Muir Trail. Crater Mountain
is Class 2 from here. Bighorns frequent the Whitefork Creek/Crater Mountain
area. |
| Crocker Col | 37.48084 | -118.82405 | 11,982 |
Class 2-3. Mt Crocker is class 1, summit blocks class 3. |
| Crystal Pass | 36.44509 | -118.55621 | 11,384 |
Class 3 on east side. |
| Cyclamen Lake Pass (also Hands and
Knees, or Bunny Ears) | 36.47413 | -118.54695 | 11,113 |
Class 3 |
| Dancing Bear Pass | 37.34308 | -118.79602 | 12,152 |
Class 2 |
| Davis Lake Pass | 37.12245 | -118.70423 | 11,662 |
Class 2. Easy boulders. At the pass, note beautiful tarns in the midst of huge boulders. |
| Davis-McGee Pass | 37.13287 | -118.71483 | 11,730 |
Class 2. Tedious talus on S. side. |
| Deadhorse Pass | 37.65155 | -119.15161 | 9,778 |
Class 1 |
| Deerhorn Saddle | 36.70858 | -118.40435 | 12,605 |
Class 2 |
| Deer Pass | 37.55861 | -118.97541 | 11,270 |
Class 1 |
| Diaz Pass | 36.51915 | -118.23443 | 13,250 |
Class 2. Easy, expansive plateau at Mt. Langley |
| Discovery Pass | 36.55723 | -118.28667 | 13,540 |
Class 2. Off trail route to Crabtree Lakes. Descent on W side is easiest
toward outlet creek of lake at 12,100. |
| Donohue Pass | 37.7605 | -119.24816 | 11,066 |
Class 1 trail |
| Duck Pass | 37.55862 | -118.96283 | 10,804 |
Class 1. |
| Dumbbell Lakes Pass | 36.99742 | -118.5148 | 11,723 |
Class 2 |
| Dykeman Pass | 37.00016 | -118.71571 | 10,993 |
Class 2 |
| Eagle Scout Pass | 36.54326 | -118.56055 | 11,589 |
Class 2. Eagle Scout Peak is class 2 from here. |
| Elizabeth Pass | 36.59915 | -118.57623 | 11,388 |
Class 1 Trail. North is a great view down the length of Deadman Canyon. South is the fins, knobs, and domes of Valhalla. Upper Deadman toward Horn Col is a granite paradise. |
| Ericsson Pass | 36.69951 | -118.40857 | 12,586 |
Class 2-3 |
| Explorer Pass | 36.91812 | -118.45416 | 12,293 |
Class 3. Class 2 via slopes to E |
| Fair Trade Pass | 37.0308 | -118.47768 | 12,469 |
Class 2-3. Martz. E side requires handholds for last 200 feet. |
| Feather Pass | 37.32111 | -118.78203 | 12,376 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route |
| Finger Col | 37.03538 | -118.73286 | 11,571 |
Class 2 |
| Fiske Col | 37.13252 | -118.67051 | 12,589 |
Class 2 |
| Fleming Pass | 37.16474 | -118.85613 | 10,585 |
Class 1 |
| Foerster Ridge | 37.69453 | -119.291 | 11,242 |
Class 2. Foerster Peak is class 2-3 along nw ridge. |
| Forester Pass | 36.69437 | -118.37343 | 13,066 |
Class 1 trail. Classic, spectacular, switchback High Sierra pass. |
| Franklin Col | 37.52712 | -118.90811 | 11,822 |
Class 2-3 |
| Franklin Pass | 36.41263 | -118.54513 | 11,731 |
Class 1 Trail |
| Frozen Lake Pass Option | 37.00382 | -118.47993 | 12,431 |
Class ? Option to Frozen Lake Pass. Martz |
| Frozen Lake Pass | 37.00603 | -118.48275 | 12,346 |
Class 2-3. Ice axe required |
| Gabbott Pass | 37.3797 | -118.79182 | 12,258 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route |
| Gardiner Pass | 36.79911 | -118.48174 | 11,169 |
Class 2 |
| Gardiner Pass E. | 36.80858 | -118.4625 | 12,017 |
Class 2. Secor PG 153? |
| Garnet Pass | 37.70656 | -119.184 | 10,138 |
Class 1 Easy off-trail connection between Garnet and Thousand Island Lakes. |
| Gemini Lake Pass | 37.30001 | -118.81294 | 12,021 |
Class 2, Martz. Climb gully or rib to Gemini Lake. Ice Axe helpful. Consider
also Stough Pass. |
| Gemini Pass | 37.50871 | -118.87716 | 12,054 |
Class 2. Red Slate Mountain is class 2 from here. |
| Gimme Pass | 36.89268 | -118.69236 | 10,439 |
Class 2. Connects Lost and Slide Canyons. |
| Glacier Divide | 37.23104 | -118.78511 | 11,712 |
Class 2? |
| Glacier Pass | 36.46453 | -118.56791 | 10,970 |
Class 2. On N side a good use trail enters from the E and removes all but one
very short stretch of class 3. |
| Glacier Saddle | 36.89904 | -118.56871 | 11,261 |
Class 2. Glacier Lakes to Kid Creek |
| Glacier Ridge Pass | 36.63284 | -118.56034 | 11,829 |
Class 3, Martz |
| Glen Pass | 36.7895 | -118.41151 | 11,964 |
Class 1 trail |
| Goat Crest Saddle | 36.88687 | -118.5868 | 11,468 |
Class 1. Sierra High Route |
| Goddard Col | 37.09654 | -118.71741 | 12,275 |
Class 2 |
| Goddard Creek Pass | 37.09403 | -118.71647 | 12,381 |
Class 2. |
| Goodale Pass | 37.46373 | -118.94039 | 10,984 |
Class 1 trail |
| Goode Pass | 37.1151 | -118.56745 | 12,668 |
Class 2. SKIER |
| Gould Pass | 36.78619 | -118.37704 | 12,853 |
Class 2 |
| Granite Bear Pass | 37.33707 | -118.78093 | 12,390 |
Class 2 |
| Granite Pass | 36.87812 | -118.61081 | 10,678 |
Class 1 |
| Gray Pass N. | 36.96554 | -118.56153 | 10,774 |
Class 1. Sierra High Route |
| Gray Pass S. | 36.95785 | -118.57224 | 10,881 |
Class 1. Sierra High Route |
| Grinnell Col | 37.47166 | -118.84728 | 11,627 |
Class 3. See Climber.org
Grinnell |
| Grouse Lake Pass | 36.86679 | -118.59144 | 11,086 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route |
| Gunsight Pass | 37.10157 | -118.76595 | 11,655 |
Class 2. APPROACH FROM HOLSTER |
| Haeckel Col | 37.1538 | -118.66643 | 12,691 |
Class 2. Jumbled rock and sand. On SW side descend completely to Lake 11,808 before
rounding it's N side. |
| Hands and Knees Pass (also
Cyclamen Lake, or Bunny Ears Pass) | 36.47413 | -118.54695 | 11,113 |
Class 3 |
| Half-Moon Pass | 37.45109 | -118.76196 | 11,480 |
Class 3 |
| Harrington Pass | 36.87652 | -118.72902 | 10,711 |
Class 2. To Gorge of Despair |
| Harrison Pass | 36.69947 | -118.40373 | 12,717 |
Class 2. Steep and icy on north side. Consider this a class 2+. |
| Hell For Sure Pass | 37.14588 | -118.79815 | 11,300 |
Class 1 Trail |
| Hellhole | 37.75286 | -119.29006 | 12,209 |
Class 2. Steep cliffs on east |
| Hilgard Pass | 37.36842 | -118.82103 | 12,502 |
Class 2 |
| Hopkins Pass | 37.48016 | -118.84366 | 11,428 |
Class 2 |
| Horn Col | 36.60599 | -118.58207 | 11,293 |
Class 2. Dramatic passage between Deadman Canyon and Lonely Lake |
| Huntington Col | 37.47297 | -118.78263 | 11,848 |
Class 3 |
| Hurd Col | 37.13218 | -118.56867 | 11,722 |
Class 2 |
| Hutton Col | 37.12525 | -118.79482 | 11,461 |
Class 2 |
| Island Pass | 37.73696 | -119.19471 | 10,222 |
Class 1 trail |
| Isosceles Pass | 37.09209 | -118.53846 | 12,049 |
Class 3 |
| Italy Pass | 37.35255 | -118.78399 | 12,418 |
Class 2 |
| Jigsaw Pass | 37.11937 | -118.53422 | 12,491 |
Class 3 |
| Junction Pass | 36.69547 | -118.35998 | 13,224 |
Class 2 |
| Kaweah Gap | 36.55728 | -118.55135 | 10,704 |
Class 1 Trail |
| Kaweah Pass | 36.53156 | -118.47488 | 12,375 |
Class 2. S side involves extensive boulder hopping culminating in strenuous
traverse of lake. N side is steep with much loose rock. |
| Kearsarge Pass | 36.77329 | -118.37648 | 11,838 |
Class 1 trail. One of the easiest east side passes. |
| King Col | 36.83581 | -118.46379 | 11,556 |
Class 2. Gardiner Basin to Woods Creek |
| King Col option | 36.83503 | -118.47146 | 11,167 |
Class ?. Alternate to Woods Creek |
| King Col option | 36.83693 | -118.48358 | 11,137 |
Class ?. Alternate to Woods Creek |
| Knapsack Pass | 37.08358 | -118.54344 | 11,669 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route. This is easier than the nearby Isosceles Pass. |
| Kuna Pass | 37.82086 | -119.23452 | 11,812 |
Class 2 |
| Lamarck Col | 37.19033 | -118.66737 | 12,849 |
Class 2. From North Lake
the direct route into the Darwin Canyon/Evolution region. The well worn use
trail begins near the east end of Upper Lamarck Lake, goes south and then
proceeds west along a ridge and
drainage to the col above an icy lake. Mt. Lamarck is class 1 from the col. |
| Lane Pass | 37.05386 | -118.43586 | 13,167 |
Class 2 |
| LaSalle Col | 37.31017 | -118.79456 | 11,992 |
Class 2 |
| Lion Lake Pass | 36.59359 | -118.53873 | 11,610 |
Class 2. Extensive talus on south side. |
| Lion Rock Pass - E | 36.58175 | -118.5333 | 11,772 |
Class 2. see
Climber.org Lion Rock |
| Lion Rock Pass - W | 36.58209 | -118.53747 | 11,794 |
Class 2 see Climber.org
Lion Rock |
| Lobe Pass | 37.23366 | -118.76924 | 12,336 |
Class 2 |
| Longley Pass | 36.69017 | -118.47972 | 12,424 |
Class 1, A cornice may be encountered on the east side. circumvent this
by traversing along rock on the north side of the snow pack. South Guard
(13,224 ft) is class 2 from the pass. |
| Lost Lakes Pass | 37.79211 | -119.21167 | 11,453 |
Class 1 |
| Lucifer's Saddle E. | 37.11777 | -118.81099 | 11,182 |
Class 2. Trend NE to descend |
| Lucifer's Saddle W. | 37.11968 | -118.81306 | 11,063 |
Class 2 |
| Lucy's Foot Pass | 36.69676 | -118.42334 | 12,413 |
Class 2-3. The N side final portion includes some steeper climbing.
Backpackers should be comfortable with short sections of class 3. Mt. Ericsson is class 2 from here. |
| Lyell Col | 37.73734 | -119.26711 | 12,418 |
Class 3 |
| Lyell-Maclure Col | 37.74159 | -119.2762 | 12,442 |
Class 3-4 |
| Macleod Pass | 36.66739 | -118.47521 | 13,121 |
Class 2 |
| Mantle Pass | 37.02277 | -118.75015 | 10,934 |
Class 2 Crown Basin to Blue Canyon connection. |
| Marie Pass | 37.7279 | -119.23886 | 11,922 |
Class 2, Martz, From Marie Lakes, access to untrammeled region of N Fork San Joaquin. From Marie
Lake 3309-7 ascend ridge to east of permanent snow to divide. |
| Marion Pass | 36.95999 | -118.51386 | 12,046 |
Class 2. Cirque Crest crossing. Marion Peak is class 2 from here. |
| Martha-Davis Pass | 37.11996 | -118.72921 | 11,860 |
Class 2 route between Martha and Davis Lakes. On descent to Davis trend SE to
find reasonable slabs and chute before heading N. |
| Mather Pass | 37.03154 | -118.45988 | 12,155 |
Class 1 trail |
| McDonald Pass | 37.64972 | -119.18843 | 10,655 |
Class 2 |
| McGee Lakes Pass 1 | 37.1476 | -118.69966 | 11,569 |
Class 2. Easy rock and brush |
| McGee Lakes Pass 2 | 37.13408 | -118.70486 | 11,750 |
Class 2 |
| McGee Pass | 37.50115 | -118.86051 | 11,964 |
Class 1 trail. Red Slate Mountain (massive talus pile) is class 2 from here. |
| Merced Peak Ridge | 37.63072 | -119.39257 | 11,065 |
Class 1 |
| Merriam Pass | 37.30016 | -118.8015 | 12,022 |
Class 3 |
| Midway Col | 36.63827 | -118.48395 | 12,914 |
Class 2-3 |
| Midway Pass | 37.0344 | -118.74209 | 11,707 |
Class 2 |
| Milestone Pass | 36.63309 | -118.48179 | 12,948 |
Class 2 |
| Milly's Foot Pass | 36.6858 | -118.43 | 12,294 |
Class 3 section at the top |
| Mono Pass | 37.42546 | -118.77258 | 12,075 |
Class 1 trail |
| Mosquito Pass | 37.1862 | -118.85365 | 10,443 |
Class 2 |
| Muir Pass
Map 2 | 37.11189 | -118.67078 | 11,968 |
Class 1 trail. stone hut in mountain drama. |
| Muro Blanco | 36.94171 | -118.50008 | 9,190 |
Class 2. Major bushwhack descent. take your time and enjoy the isolation. |
| Nancy Pass | 37.64008 | -119.14344 | 10,169 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route |
| New Army Pass | 36.49086 | -118.2398 | 12,256 |
Class 1 trail. superb, long swithcbacks. Mt. Langley is class 1 from here. |
| Nietzsche Col
Map 2 | 37.10813 | -118.67963 | 12,479 |
Class 2 |
| North Dragon Pass | 36.80067 | -118.37432 | 12,013 |
Class 3 |
| North Glacier Pass | 37.70129 | -119.20582 | 11,171 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route. AKA Glacier Lake Pass. For hikers, one of the easier Ritter Range crossings. |
| Old Bones Pass | 37.70082 | -119.26741 | 11,584 |
Class 2-3, Short class 3 cliff on S. side should be done with roped packs. |
| Pace Col | 37.47976 | -118.86559 | 11,608 |
Class 2 |
| Packsaddle Pass | 37.22388 | -118.75641 | 12,436 |
Class 2. Steep with snow |
| Pants Pass | 36.5734 | -118.52751 | 12,001 |
Class 2 |
| Peak 11840 Pass | 37.28282 | -118.85077 | 11,231 |
Class 2, along the ridge |
| Peppermint Pass | 37.3713 | -118.76221 | 12,379 |
Class 2 |
| Pete's Col | 36.96788 | -118.49661 | 11,589 |
Class 3 |
| Picket Creek Pass | 36.56385 | -118.46205 | 10,835 |
Class 2 |
| Pika Pass | 37.5531 | -118.93904 | 11,571 |
Class 2 |
| Pinchot Pass | 36.93614 | -118.41241 | 12,034 |
Class 1 trail |
| Pine Creek Pass | 37.31745 | -118.73615 | 11,141 |
Class 1 trail |
| Pinnacle Pass | 36.57393 | -118.27292 | 12,267 |
Class 3 |
| Piute Pass | 37.23901 | -118.68408 | 11,402 |
Class 1 trail. One of the easiest east side passes. |
| Potluck Pass | 37.07947 | -118.50814 | 12,146 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route. From W easy ascent along benches. On E side,
approach of descend from E (not SE) for easiest route. This makes nice
connection with Cirque Pass. |
| Pretty Pass | 37.52892 | -118.90174 | 11,835 |
Class 2. Very tedious. From a contributor: This one is really nasty: The
northwest (Franklin Lake) side has some of the loosest, steepest talus and
boulder fields. From sand, to scree, to gigantic boulders, everything is ready
to roll. Assuming that you're coming from Convict Creek, once you get down to
the snowfield ... the moraine at the
bottom just offers more of the same. |
| Pterodactyl Pass | 36.60443 | -118.6081 | 10,910 |
Class 2. Correct location is lower rather than higher in the ridge. |
| Puppet Pass or
Carol Col | 37.27819 | -118.72424 | 11,804 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route. AKA Carol col |
| Pyra-Queen Col | 36.55164 | -118.50773 | 12,730 |
Class 2 |
| Rae Col | 36.79758 | -118.41671 | 11,711 |
Class 2. Rae Lakes to Sixty Lakes Basin |
| Rambaud Pass | 37.03922 | -118.62281 | 11,487 |
Class 2 |
| Recess Pass | 37.3881 | -118.86306 | 11,941 |
Class 2 |
| Red Lake Pass | 37.02669 | -118.4227 | 12,990 |
Class 3 |
| Red Pass | 36.96546 | -118.5275 | 11,580 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route |
| Reinstein Pass | 37.08153 | -118.73465 | 11,799 |
Class 2. Large slabs |
| Ritter-Banner Saddle | 37.69304 | -119.19783 | 12,014 |
Class 3. Ice axe required |
| Ritter Pass | 37.67326 | -119.19236 | 11,115 |
Class 2. For hikers, one of the easier Ritter Range crossings. |
| Rockbound Saddle | 37.67734 | -119.28129 | 10,663 |
Class 1, Martz. Easy crossing between Bench Canyon and Long Creek. |
| Rockwell Pass | 36.64685 | -118.36556 | 12,042 |
Class 2 |
| Rodgers Pass | 37.73007 | -119.26004 | 12,220 |
Class 2 |
| Rohn Pass | 37.47415 | -118.87951 | 11,261 |
Class 2, Martz. This is a walk on the S side over benches. N side is easy
scree and talus with some snow fields optional to assist in the
ascent/descent. The traverse to Walton Col is easy. |
| Royce Pass | 37.33019 | -118.76125 | 11,769 |
Class 1 |
| Royce Pass Option | 37.33258 | -118.76797 | 11,883 |
Class 2. Round a shoulder on the NE side of Lake 11,725. |
| Royce Merriam Saddle | 37.31236 | -118.76852 | 12,213 |
Class 2, Ice axe required |
| Ruskie Pass | 37.30241 | -118.80004 | 12,074 |
Class 2 |
| Russell Carillon Pass AKA: Russell Col | 36.59138 | -118.28101 | 13,263 |
Class 2-3. East approach from Clyde Meadow avoids steeper cliffs above Upper
Boy Scout Lake. Mt Carillon is class 2-3 from here. |
| Russell Pass | 37.74647 | -119.28891 | 12,227 |
Class 2. This is easier than Lyell-Maclure Col. The ascent to the steep ridge
from the north is tedious over talus and sun-cupped Maclure Glacier. First 100
feet on south side require care. |
| Sawmill Pass | 36.88309 | -118.36435 | 11,295 |
Class 1 trail |
| Sawtooth Pass | 36.46068 | -118.56164 | 11,718 |
Class 1 trail. Sawtooth Peak is class 2 from here. |
| Scimitar Pass | 37.08499 | -118.49123 | 13,188 |
Class 3. This and Agassiz Col are the couple of direct crossings of the
Palisades. West side access is more easily attained by the Bishop Pass Trail. Issues with this pass, see
Climber.org Scimitar
Climber.org Scimitar 2 |
| Selden Pass | 37.28972 | -118.87288 | 10,901 |
Class 1 Trail |
| Seven Gables Pass | 37.30421 | -118.82145 | 12,082 |
Class 2 |
| Shepard Pass | 36.67345 | -118.34527 | 11,902 |
Class 1. Major ascent, strenuous in the heat, little water. |
| Shout-of-Relief Pass | 37.47322 | -118.87332 | 11,388 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route. Martz. N side is gentle cross country. S side is
over easy benches and scree. |
| Siberian Pass | 36.4679 | -118.27117 | 10,987 |
Class 1 trail |
| Silver Pass | 37.46993 | -118.92297 | 10,958 |
Class 1 Trail |
| Sixty Lake Col | 36.80444 | -118.44133 | 11,739 |
Class 2. Gardiner Basin to Sixty Lake route |
| Ski Mountaineer's Pass | 36.69254 | -118.36929 | 13,173 |
Class 2 |
| Sluggo Pass | 37.72167 | -119.28873 | 11,527 |
Class 2 |
| Snow-Tongue Pass | 37.22147 | -118.72202 | 12,172 |
Class 2-3. Sierra High Route |
| Southfork Pass | 37.06761 | -118.45265 | 12,554 |
Class 3. Difficult and strenuous |
| South Notch | 37.65598 | -119.17123 | 11,298 |
Class 2. Ice axe required |
| Sphinx Col | 36.71094 | -118.50397 | 12,016 |
Class 2 |
| Stanford Col | 37.48704 | -118.80935 | 11,580 |
Class 3 |
| Steelhead Pass | 37.28975 | -118.70618 | 12,102 |
Class 2 |
| Stough Pass | 37.29947 | -118.80787 | 11,918 |
Class 2. Gemini Lake Pass (Martz) is preferable on the north side. |
| Tablelands Pass | 36.62352 | -118.6115 | 11,258 |
Class 1.
Easy hiking across Tablelands meadows. Class 2 descent on large slabs to Big Bird Lake. |
| Taboose Pass | 36.98481 | -118.41395 | 11,391 |
Class 1 trail. Big ascent/descent from desert to remote alpine. |
| Talus Pass | 36.65073 | -118.49871 | 11,449 |
Class 2. |
| The Gap | 37.66814 | -119.18376 | 11,122 |
Class 2. Ice axe required |
| The Keyhole | 37.21444 | -118.68777 | 12,527 |
Class 2. Short Class 3 on SW side. Hike around the east side of Lake 11,910. |
| Third-Fourth Divide | 37.41034 | -118.79868 | 11,965 |
Class 2. Convenient connection between Third and Fourth Recesses. |
| Three D Divide | 37.62476 | -119.36996 | 10,793 |
Class 1 |
| Thunderbolt Pass | 37.09547 | -118.52473 | 12,367 |
Class 2 |
| Thunder Pass | 36.66818 | -118.47145 | 12,706 |
Class 2. Ice axe required |
| Thunder Ridge | 36.66651 | -118.48663 | 11,995 |
Class 2 |
| Timber Gap | 36.46877 | -118.59876 | 9,526 |
Class 1 Trail |
| TrailCrest | 36.55928 | -118.29131 | 13,574 |
Class 1 trail |
| Treasure Col | 37.13194 | -118.58902 | 12,107 |
Class 2. Ice axe required |
| Treasure Saddle | 37.38844 | -118.77911 | 12,547 |
Class 2 |
| Triple Divide Pass | 36.59608 | -118.52493 | 12,175 |
Class 2. |
| Tuttle Pass | 36.52667 | -118.25083 | 12,766 |
Class 2. Lots of tedious talus |
| Tyndal Col | 36.64933 | -118.32942 | 12,992 |
Class 2. |
| University Pass | 36.74186 | -118.35241 | 12,572 |
Class 2. Rough cross-country, experienced hikers only. |
| University Shoulder | 36.75024 | -118.37256 | 12,165 |
Class 2. Ski route. |
| Upper Basin Crossing
map 2 | 37.0183 | -118.48528 | 12,227 |
Class 2. Quick connect between Upper Basin and Amphitheatre Lake. much boulder hopping on E side. |
| Ursula Pass | 37.33526 | -118.82145 | 11,853 |
Class 2 |
| Vacation Pass | 36.61745 | -118.30296 | 12,667 |
Class 2-3. Easiest route crosses the less steep ridge N of "Vacation Pass"
location on topo maps. |
| Valor Pass | 37.08522 | -118.7401 | 11,768 |
Class 2-3. Correct location is 0.4 mi NNW of Mt Reinstein. |
| Vennacher Col | 36.99505 | -118.47269 | 12,449 |
Class 3. |
| Vogelsang Pass | 37.77971 | -119.34075 | 10,675 |
Class 1 trail. Sierra High Route |
| Volcanic Pass | 37.67785 | -119.15071 | 10,595 |
Class 2. |
| Wallace Col | 37.14354 | -118.65472 | 12,995 |
Class 2. |
| Walton Col | 37.46804 | -118.88789 | 11,725 |
Class 2. Martz. West side is easy scree to top. East side is slightly steeper
over scree, but easily ascended or descended. The traverse to Rohn Pass is
easy. |
| Walton Ridge | 37.62998 | -119.36142 | 10,847 |
Class 2. |
| Wanda Pass
Map 2 | 37.10848 | -118.69099 | 12,420 |
Class 2. |
| Warrior Ridge | 37.46989 | -118.90444 | 11,546 |
Class 2. Martz. Benches and scree lead across this easy saddle. |
| White Bark Pass | 37.69655 | -119.17688 | 10,522 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route. Martz. Convenient Nydiver to Garnet Lake connection. N side is on loose
gravel with sharp rock (watch your handholds). |
| White Bear Pass | 37.33947 | -118.80156 | 11,912 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route |
| Whitefork Pass | 36.92697 | -118.44803 | 12,280 |
Class 2. Martz. Over rock and gravel. Beautiful descent to Muro Blanco. |
| Whitefork Saddle | 36.91062 | -118.44821 | 11,800 |
Class 2. Martz. Connection between Whitefork Creek and unnamed creek E of Window Peak |
| White Pass | 36.96211 | -118.53408 | 11,694 |
Class 2. Sierra High Route |
| Whitney Russell Pass | 36.58399 | -118.28829 | 12,959 |
Class 2. |
| Wilts Col | 37.83406 | -119.40078 | 10,790 |
Class 2-3 |
|
