Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Kearsage Pass Conditions?

We are entering July 1 from Onion Valley four a 4-day BP and are curious about conditions. 1) Is it passable without crampons/ice axe? 2) How are conditions for backpacking on other side (i.e., get water from lakes or need to melt snow). Thanks!

Hi,
Do you plan taking John Muir trail toward Mt-Whitney going through Forester pass?

Yes, Laurent. We have beta on Forrester (winter conditions, ice axe/crampons required) but none on 1st leg.

Could you let me know your beta about Forester pass.

Thanks

I posted beta on Forester Pass <a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003143">here</a>. It was emailed to me by PCT through hikers who hit the pass about 2 weeks ago.
Eric

Just got back from Roads End to the top of Forester Pass, than back down and over Glen Pass to Rae Lakes, and thru Paradise Canyon on 6/25. We camped near Vidette Meadows and day hiked up the north side if Forester Pass on 6/22. As far as we could tell we were the first to approach it from the north side. One set of footprints traversing down the north side and several glissade tracks as well. Over the south side thru Big Horn Platoe.....still a winter wonderland. Good news is the weather was warm and we were watching the snow melt before our eyes. Good luck.

Brad - thanks for the report. Did you use crampons when you went up Forester? Also, what was Glen Pass like and the water crossings you encountered?

Thanks!

From the Forest Service
6/22/05
Kearsarge Pass Trail:
The trail is mostly clear of snow up to below Little Pothole Lake. Beyond Little Pothole Lake, there are some clear sections of the trail alternated with increasing larger snowfields requiring the use of route finding skills. Rock and snow slides have been common in the area in the past few weeks. Bear canisters are required on this trail. Campfires are prohibited east of the pass and above 10,000’ in Kings Canyon National Park.

From the National Park Service:

Kearsarge Pass - 6/27/05: The east side of the pass has 70%t snow cover above 10,700 feet with moderate sun cups. Ski poles are recommended. The west side of the pass is mostly snow free with small patches of snow.

Brad..... my son started the JMT today from Yosemite. I second the motion, what was Glen like. Also, where does the snow start in each location? On Forester, when you got to the lake, what route did you take to the pass?

My son should be hitting forester around July 12.

Thanks

Paul