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Planning on going through Crabtree Pass with a possibility of Mt Whitney attempt in late September. For years I have gone to Lower Soldier Lake from Cottonwood Pass trail with a day hike to Sky Blue Lake the next day followed by a return the third day. Always wanted to go to Mt Whitney that way. Heard Crabtree Pass doesn't have much of a trail and that it is quite strenuous. Plan is to go through Army Pass to Upper Soldier Lake the first day and Crabtree Lake the second day and depending how well I feel, would attempt Mt Whitney the third day with a return the next two days.
I have gone through Army Pass[full pack] before and it took me about two hours although I had to go through some snow.
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It deserves its reputation.
There's lot of water all over the place up there, so you can camp to make the approach to the pass fairly short, but then you have the nasty, steep descent to Upper Crabtree Lake.
I think the more important question is: What are your plans one you're down in the Crabtree Lakes Drainage?
The climb up the Dreaded Sand Hill to Discovery Pinnacle makes the crossing of Crabtree Pass seem tame, even if you decide to do this climb to Whitney unloaded as a day-hike to the summit and back.
My recommendation to anyone who'll listen is to follow the Crabtree Lakes Drainage down to the PCT and "hook around" to the JMT and Crabtree Meadows for a much easier ascent of Whitney via the JMT. It will add at least 1/2 day to your trip though.
Last edited by Richard P.; 07/20/14 07:16 PM. Reason: forgot day...
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Lonehiker,
The Miter Basin is so stunning, I can completely understand why you return there!
From Crabtree Pass, probably the quickest way to get to Mt Whitney is as follows: From the end of the Pass nearest to Mt McAdie, stay high and traverse under McAdie around to high above the NE end of the highest Crabtree lake. Then (still on about the same contour as Crabtree Pass or higher), ascend to Discovery Pinnacle. Then drop down a bit to the Main Trail. This way you avoid much of the Sand Hill ascent (from the lake far below) that Richard P mentioned. Bob Rockwell showed me this route. I have tried it and found it an efficient way to go. It has been discussed on this Board before and explained with pictures. Try the Search Function and see if it can be found.
If you do down climb from the Pass to the highest lake, I have camped at a great site at the outlet. The lower lakes are great for camping also.
If you decide to "wrap around" Mt Hitchcock from the lowest Crabtree Lake, a cross-country "shortcut" I have taken is to stay high and follow roughly the 11000' contour to a bench just above the SW end of Timberline Lake. This "shortcut" will consume about twice as much time and effort as the way Richard P mentioned by staying on the trails!
Have a great adventure.
Jim
PS: There is a small tarn just south of Crabtree Pass, if you decide to camp in that area. I could not find a very good campsite there, but it positioned me well for my objective the next day.
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I appreciate all your recommendations. I was looking for gpx file to put on a gps and found an everytrail gpx file. Unfortunately, their gpx format is non-standard and incredibly long so I couldn't modify it.
I haven't gone up Mt. Whitney in 25 years[!] the fourth time was a day hike. Have been up Mt. Langley five years ago. So, this is a kind of last hurrah for multi-day backpacking trips.
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My dad and I did this hike back in 03, and I would love to do it again. We started in the evening and hiked 3 1/2 hours to Soldier lake. We spent the next day hiking McAdie, then over discovery pinnacle, and to the Whitney summit. It took longer than expected due to mild altitude sickness. We ended up camping in the summit hut, and descending the North Fork trail the following morning. It was a great hike. I don't recommend sleeping in the hut though because at that altitude it is pretty difficult to sleep without proper acclimatization.
Good luck!
-Matthew
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Matthew,
Great to hear from you!
We think of your Dad often. Not only is he remembered for being an early and enthusiastic contributor to the WPSMB, but more importantly he was a wonderful person.
When I posted two days ago (7/20) on this topic, I had the TR of you and your Dad in mind. Over 10 years has passed since that hike. I am sure wonderful memories remain. It is appreciated that the details of reaching Discovery Pinnacle more efficiently from Crabtree Pass have been documented with some photos.
Hope you return to the Miter Basin soon. Again, thanks for keeping in contact.
Jim F
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Most of us know the Ashcraft's are Special.
I'll just throw out a few names of people who've balked at that traverse... Dr. Dirtbag (when he set the CA 14'er Record)... Speedy (aka GigaMike aka Mike Mellon), SierraGator (of Whitney 3x fame) and me...
I've been providing some info to Dr. Lankford. Here's a few links to albums... it's interesting reading my Bragging Comments to the first album... the second one shows the terrain down the Crabtree Lakes Drainage. Oh, and there's a third album from the area... probably more if you care to look.
http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/California-Mountains/Mount-Whitney/Mt-Whitney-August-21-2009/9385269_kz3KZ8#!i=628361074&k=MNPMXGh
http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/California-Mountains/Mount-Whitney/Labor-Day-Weekend-2010/13664377_wSKSCW#!i=997969286&k=5cWBkgt
http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/California-Mountains/Mount-Whitney/Mt-Whitney-From-Meysan-Lakes/9217993_dCqwCB#!i=615423461&k=2PXGfXg
BTW, if I could ever get myself back into shape, I'd love to have Matthew guide me across that traverse.
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You make it look so doable. Though probably not for me. Love your albums as usual.
Sorry you can't make Split
Solo is how I may have do it
Approaching from the JMT
There seems nothing much worse than a little scree
That's about as sketchy as it gets for me
And I'll probably be clutching my PLB
If you happen to change your mind
You know where this hiker you shall find
One day I'll go back to the Miter. That area is special.
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I've been providing some info to Dr. Lankford. Here's a few links to albums... it's interesting reading my Bragging Comments to the first album... the second one shows the terrain down the Crabtree Lakes Drainage. Oh, and there's a third album from the area... probably more if you care to look.
Richard's photo's and advice has been greatly appreciated here. My friend Dan and I will be going over Crabtree Pass on or about 8/7. After descending from Crabtree Pass, we will go down and around, rather than up and over the dreaded Sand Hill.
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I was looking at Richard's photos and was quite impressed! Not sure if I'm missing something, but couldn't see what the location the photo was taken at.
What is the total time for the Mt. Whitney ascent from Crabtree Lake. He mentioned 1/2 day added time to go round.
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Looking forward to report of your trip.
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You make it look so doable.
Sorry you can't make Split
Solo is how I may have do it
Approaching from the JMT
There seems nothing much worse than a little scree
That's about as sketchy as it gets for me
And I'll probably be clutching my PLB
...
Going solo isn't best, nor is going from the west! Leave behind that PLB, hike Split from the east, with me!! 
Couldn't resist....
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At the moment, that sounds about as appatizing as the traverse from Crabtree to Discovery.
There's no comparison between the Upper Basin and the ugly east side.
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Yes, going solo
Is a no-no
Though I suspect West
Is best
For ascending Split
If heights make you sh*t
Tracie, sorry you gotta sit this one out
Richard, still wish I could entice you to this route
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Whet your appetite...
http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/California-Mountains/Split-Mountain/Split-Mountain-From-The-West/19721751_f5kkf5#!i=1548216394&k=Qfsn2gw
If it was a flex weekend, I'd be tempted, but there's now way I could do a repeat of this trip now.
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Appetite whetted.
Fabulous pictures.
May go for it if the weather is cooperating.
Any hints re making the traverse from JMT to Lake 3535? And/or for finding good camping spots at the Lake?
Last edited by Akichow; 07/27/14 08:26 PM. Reason: Questions!
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Appetite whetted.
Fabulous pictures.
May go for it if the weather is cooperating.
Any hints re making the traverse from JMT to Lake 3535? And/or for finding good camping spots at the Lake? I will answer for Richard there are plenty of camping spots and really it is just heading east from the trail...nothing special. Just a really long day getting to that spot. I think if i remember correctly...Richard correct me if I am wrong, but it was a before sun up to sundown walk to that lake. Oh and Richard...get back in shape man, we have some work to do. 
Last edited by maiku2000; 08/01/14 06:11 PM.
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14-15 hours in from the desert is what I think I remember...
Yes, being the typical American Lard@$$ makes this sport very, very difficult! I'm trying...
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I see a lot of people are looking at my post! Just want to add that I'll probably follow Richard's advice and go back toward JMT so i can follow trail up Whitney. Also want to say that I'll will be starting from Cottonwood Lake trailhead the 30th of September with my plan to go over Army Pass to Upper Soldier Lake the first day, to middle Crabtree Lake the second day, summit[?] the third day with a return the same way. Been a solitary hiker the last 10 years or so, but my friends keep telling me that's not a good idea! So, might be up to having traveling companions for this trip. Haven't gotten reservation yet, looks like there are a lot of openings.
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Don't sweat the permit... at that time of year, you almost 100% guaranteed to get a walk-in over Cottonwood Pass.
I think you'll be amazed at the Crabtree Lakes Drainage. Be sure and wander around... lots of interesting formations to find. Only thing that would be better... lots of running water over these formations.
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