Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Tyndall Trail Conditions

Hi All,

Has anyone been on the trail to Mt Tyndall/Williamson.
Via Shepards pass? Appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Rick

Hey Rick -- am looking for input as well, we are planning a 26 June trip via Shepherd's pass.

-John

Here is some input. Do not go up Shepherd Pass. Have done it 5 or 6 times now and have come down from Kearsarge Pass, and that is the much nicer way to go if one has the extra day or two needed. Once over Forester Pass, instead of staying on the Muir Trail, head East, angling over towards Tyndall and the top of Shepherd Pass. This saves a few miles and some elevation loss and gain over staying on the trail down to the Tyndall Creek junction. Snow on Forester should not be a problem this year with the light season we had. Are you also planning on doing Williamson while in the area? It is worth the extra effort, but put up camp down in the bowl if time permits. It saves a lot of effort on summit day.

Why do you say not to do Shepherd's Pass? Trail is usually in excellent shape except for the slow less than an hour climb over the pass wall. Kearsarge is ok - but it's a long slog over Forrester to Tyndall.

Why would anyone spend “the extra day or two needed” to go over Kearsarge and Forrester passes when Shepherd Pass takes you right to Williamson and Tyndall? Shepherd pass is a lot of work, but it’s a pretty good trail except for the last few hundred vertical feet. The last part is a bit steep with sections of loose scree. Carine and I day-hiked Tyndall last September, and it wasn’t too bad. There is usually some snow that lingers at the top. I’ve always found a well-worn track through the snow, so it’s not a big deal.

Hello Bob,
I remember your post from last fall and tried to do a day
hike a couple weeks later, but wasn't feeling that well so
turned around at the base of Tyndall as the day was late.
I was hoping for some input for this time of year... any thoughts
on how much snow one might encounter around the 2nd week of May?

Thanks for any thoughts.
Rick

We climbed Shepherd's pass last year, with the help of some very sage advice -- stay the first night at the Saddle. There is no water there, so you will have to pack in some from the last stream crossing, but the site is very nice and the climb to the pass the next day is very doable. Last year, there was a very nice (small) tarn at the top of the pass -- provided water and a couple of good shelters for the tent.

If you go in May, let us know about the conditions!

I've heard the same about where to camp. I also am heading up in July, so would love to hear trail conditions if you go in May. =)

Rick:

I’ve been over Shepherd pass at New Years, February, July, August, and September, but never in May. I would guess that in a dry year like this you would start finding significant snow at 10K or 11K. The snow you do encounter will be either perfect crampon snow or deep slop, depending on the time of day. The snow could make Williamson Bowl a real pain. The snow might actually make Shepherd Pass and the chute on Williamson more enjoyable than when they’re dry. My guess is that the north rib on Tyndall will look intimidating and have some snow on it, but the snow shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

You didn’t mention your specific climbing plans. If you’re only doing one summit, you could camp at Anvil Camp or the top of Shepherd Pass near the tarn. If you’re doing both summits on separate days, Anvil Camp sucks, because you’ll have to climb Shepherd Pass twice. There are also potential sites between Shepherd Pass and the point where you drop into Williamson Bowl, but they can be really windy. I’ve never camped in the bowl because hauling a pack down those loose boulders and back up again wouldn’t be fun.

As stated, I have been up SP numerous times and have come down from Kearsarge a couple times also. I find that coming in from Onion Valley gives one time to enjoy the trip more, rather than busting ones butt going up Shepherd. Maybe it is just because I have done it enough times to remember what seems like each and every rock and switchback on that trail,it has worn out its welcome with me. The extra miles from KP are not hard ones, and I find Forester much more enjoyable than slogging up Shepherd. It is what it is, and each persons MMV. Just thought I would throw out another way of getting up to climb Tyndall and Williamson. Granted, it does add some time to the trip, but then I am always in favor of that. Happy climbing.

P.S. Day hiking Sierra peaks is not my thing,but if that is ones intent, than obviously one goes up Shepherd. I like to take my time is all.

hmm -- after looking at some topo's, i am intrigued. Would you stay first night at bullfrog lake or farther in the valley?

Last I knew Bullfrog Lake is closed to camping, but there are plenty of other options. There are bear boxes down in Vidette Meadow or in the area above Bullfrog Lake fwiw.

Yup a matter of personal choice. Shepherd Pass presents a psych issue due to the apparent insanity that it drops 500 feet after you gain the first ridge. After that it really is not that much different from other eastern approaches. Nice area either way.

Getting down into Vidette Meadows and a good way up towards Forester Pass is an easy hike. Bullfrog is indeed closed to camping, but is not far enough into the hike to want to stay there anyway. We took 2 easy nights to get from Onion Valley to Williamson Bowl, and could have done it with just spending one night out if that had been the intention. With the lack of snow this winter, this is the season to go this route if one wants to get to the base of Tyndall and over to Williamson without having to go up Shepherd.