Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board HSM to Whitney - via Sky Blue Lake or Guyot Pass?

I'm planning a Whitney trip from horseshoe meadows to whitney and I can't decide whether I want to get there by going from soldier lake - sky blue lake - crabtree meadows or soldier lake - guyot pass - crabtree meadows. I've done some searches and read about both routes. Seems like more scrambling will be involved with the sky blue lake route. I'd love to hear more opinions on each route and if you've taken both of them, which one did you most enjoy?

I don't know how you get through the area with Sky Blue Lake but it looks like a nice cross country route.

Done both -
Each has their own personality.
Guyot Pass is a 1500 foot slog, water on the top, with no other water available until Crabtree Meadows - but, other than the lack of water situation, quite the easier of the two.

Miter Basin is a magic place - breathtaking, but some route finding skills needed around Sky-Blue and up, some dead-end, slab canyons, (BTW, still have my Topo where Doug drew the route) and then there is the talus/sand hill section going over the pass, followed by the talus/boulder field coming down to Upper Crabtree.

Preferred Miter Basin route, but a lot more of a challange/ harder workout.

Jeff81

We are planning on taking the Guyot Pass route on our trip in June (17-20) Do you, or anyone else, have mileage listing from HM to Cottonwood Pass and on past Chicken Springs Lake, then down to the Rock Creek Crossing? My Topo keeps giving me various readings and I do not trust it too much. My traces have shown anywhere from 9 to 12 miles. I was thinking of making it to the Rock Creek Ranger Station in one day and am wondering if that may be a little too ambitious? Also I am hearing rumblings that there are not too many decent camping spots along the way from the Pass to RCC. Thanks.

If memory serves, about 8 miles from Chickenspring to RCC, and after climbing the ridge above Chickenspring, it is level/downhill all the way. There are an infinite number of places to camp along the way....if you are willing to have a dry camp. About halfway, there is a little creek off to the side, coming off of Cirque Peak, but which does not cross the trail (comes out of the ground below). It is in a section where the trail goes due west. I've camped there, and it is a magical little place, where you expect munchkins to come out.

Hiya,
Here are my photos albums from both routes:

PCT route:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/551991927dpoMGU

Miter Basin route:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/469191488VfuyOF

On the Miter Basin trip, we planned on going over Discovery Pinnacle instead of down to Crabtree Meadows. It was late October and an ice/wind storm came in and made our lives interesting. I decided to hike from Crabtree back to Horseshoe Meadows instead of going over trail crest. In the end I was glad I changed my plans because some poor guy lost his life trying to descend from trail crest that day. If there isn't ice and snow, crossing Crabtree pass to exit Miter Basin is a fun class 2 hike over rocky terrain. There are good cairns marking the way, but the map and compass were useful.

I wouldn't exactly call it scrambling... just no trail and rocky. My favorite route was Miter Basin by far. The best part IMHO was the upper Crabtree lakes drainage going from Crabtree pass to Crabtree Meadows. Its absolutely stunning in there, and not very popular.

My Topo is telling me that it is about 12.5 miles. If Ken is correct and its about 8 miles from Chicken Spring to RCC, then I think 12.5 miles would be about right. Mount Whitney by Paul Richins states that it is about 4.5 miles from Horseshoe Meadows to Chicken Spring. I don't know for sure though, as I'm planning on taking New Army Pass. Hope that helps. Also, I'm planning on camping near soldier lake. I've heard its beautiful over there. Maybe consider that. I think I also saw someone say that people have camped near Rock Creek Lake.

Thanks All for your input as it will definitely assist me with the trip plans. Having never been that route, and the fact that I will be taking some newbies with me, will constrain me to the path more traveled. I did look over my topo's of the Sky Blue Lake Crabtree pass/drainage and will have to admit to it's allure. Maybe next time.
BTW, any of you in the San Diego area should not overlook the training potential available in the hike up Viejas Peak near Alpine. It's plenty steep with 1,500 ft elevation gain in about 1.2 mi. Parking to the top in about 50 minutes, elevation is about from 2700 to 4200. It is a good cardio workout and easy access from anywhere in San Diego area.

Where does the trail start? I tried to find it (up Victoria/Anderson Rd to the end of the pavement by the water tank) and could not find anything that was not private property...
Thanks for the information!

Sierra Addict,
If you go up Anderson Rd to the end of the pavement there is a gate next to the water tanks that indicates your entry onto the Cleveland National Forest. Continue on the dirt about another half mile to where the road widens and becomes level. Park there and the trailhead is just on the East side of the road. Usually you can see other cars parked there on a Saturday AM. Be aware that this is the National Forest and an Adventure Pass MAY be needed. Some folks use them and others do not at this spot. I called the FS office in Alpine and asked them if the Pass was required at this location to which the phone receptionist replied that they were NOT required. I still feel uneasy about it and suggest that you call the office yourself prior to going and attempt to clarify. I have never seen anyone ticketed there. Another option is to simply park at the water tanks and walk up which I have done also. One other thing, as in many remote parking places there have been reports of a few breakins in this area, although I have parked there many times with no problems. Just make sure you leave nothing of value in sight. The view from the top is spectacular but you will work for it on the way up!! Enjoy.