Taboose Pass - Eastern Sierra

“Anyone interested in a 3-day trip starting out at the Taboose Pass Trailhead and going to Bench Lake? I'm thinking about mid-September or maybe early October.”

“I'd be interested in late Sept to early Oct, depending on all the freakin' people I have to help move in the next couple months (Mom, brother & sister in law, me, work friend). If you've never experienced Bench Lk, you need to. It's one of the most beautiful lakes in the sierra. The reflection of Arrow Peak is awesome. I had a picture that received photopoint's image of the day that was a reflection of the Cirque Crest.

This story has one of those "...and then it happened" tags attached to it though. We got hammered by an August storm (fog, rain, wind, lightening, hail, sleet and snow) that lasted for two days. We had to change our plans and ended up dropping down the Murro Blanco. They call it a classic bushwhack, I call it hellish. A broken ankle and two long days later we finally made it down to Paradise Valley. We averaged about a mile every 2-3 hours going downhill.”

“wingding - Isn't Taboose Pass one of the hardest ones?”

“I believe it climbs about 6000-7000' +/-. When I went to Bench Lk in '99 we went in from Cedar Grove. 2 weeks later, I met the group for the first Llama hike. I didn't realize it at the time, but Mel was also enjoying the previously mentioned storm in the Taboose area.”

“I did a trek past Bench Lake on a full moon and clear sky night about two years ago. Would have stayed there, but the night was just too perfect not to continue on. In retrospect, I'm disapointed we didn't stay. Not sure what it looks like in the daytime, but in the full moon light it looked magical.”

“It is a hard pass - that's why I've allowed 3-days.”

“I could make it a 4-day trip and spend some extra time exploring beyond the pass.”

“Hey it sounds good! I wouldnt mind trying it :) so long as I can get a ride from sacramento (no car since my bro killed it ><)”

“Oh yeah...and as long as water guns are allowed!”

“Taboose is the one I said I would never do again. We cached our food there once and got as far as the camp on the east side (with only daypacks and Garcias/8 days food). You might want to allow 4 days.”

“Mel curses Taboose as well.”

“Taboose is quite a hump from the east side.

Taboose Pass has some interesting features besides the outstanding view. It was once a major east/west trading camp with Native Americans trading in obsidian and other goods. Assisted with an Archeological survey several years ago for the NPS. Lots of neat stuff if you know where to look.

I can hike in from Cedar Grove and meet at Bench or the pass.”

“Water guns are allowed if it isn't snowing. Skibum - it would be nice to catch up with you on the trail. What about around the 20th of September? Maybe from the 19th to the 22nd. I can't do Labor Day Weekend or the last weekend in September, but otherwise I'm good to go.”

“I think those are good dates for me as well. I would not be able to get the holiday weekend off.

Should have great fall colors!”

“There is no easy way to Bench Lk but it is a must visit spot.

Skibum, did you know the ranger that disapeared from the Bench Lk area a few years back? I believe they found him last year above Castle Domes.”

“Yes, I knew Randy very well. I was on the search and babysat his station at Bench for a time. It was a rough time for all of us here at SEKI. His remains were recovered a little over a year ago. It was determined that he had possibly fallen through a snow bridge while crossing a steep drainage. At the time of the search the drainage water level was very high with snow melt.”

“Was he in the Arrow Ck drainage?”

“Okay - I'll order my permit for September 19th. With 4-days, if I make it to the pass in one-day it'll give me more time to explore up high where I like it. If it takes 2-days then it'll be okay too.”

“Sorry Dunk,

Can't disclose that online like this. I believe there are still legal issues involved and such.”

“Wingding,

It will take me 2 long days to get to Bench from Cedar Grove, so a day for a layover at Bench and the hike back out I'm looking at oh, 6-7 days, cool!”

“I requested my permit. I requested a permit for 3 people. So far I have two people on the permit - if anyone else can do the 19th of September let me know and you can have the 3rd spot. I also have another friend with long legs that's coming in on the 20th and will catch up to me, but he has to go back out the next day.”

“Anybody heard from her? How about you, Phil? Have you talked with her?

I stopped by her place about a month ago, it was late afternoon on a Saturday (I was on a weekend mission with my Kawasaki), and I dropped my card on her doorstep. Never heard from her.

And yes, for Mel, Taboose pass was hellish, especially on "the boys"...

What's the scoop?”

“Obi, last I heard, her father had passed away and she canceled all of this year's comercial trips to deal with the estate.”

“Obi - Mel hasn't answered any of my emails and hasn't answered the phone when I called.

Last I saw her was just after her father died. I think there were a lot of estate related issues.

Probably worth trying to call again soon.”

“I'll be at Bench Lake in a little less than two weeks. I just got back from a trek into Golden Trout Wilderness.
Taboose Pass really sucks. Don't do it. Mel hated it because of the boyz (preferred the trailhead be high enough in elevation or get a really early start).”

“I'm going to get a very early start - I'm sure I'll head up the night before to make sure can start early in the morning.”

“I got my permit reservation in the mail and some people willing to hike up and over Taboose Pass to Bench Lake with me. I'm all set.

:)”

“Windingx,

I'm leaving this weekend. Will be at Bench Lake.
Is your permit still for 9/19?
Why did you pick this location to hike to? Do you fish?
What's up with the 0 & 1 after wingding?”

“Yes, my permit is for the 19th of September. I've heard that Bench Lake is a beautiful lake, but most of the Sierra that I have seen is beautiful - especially the higher elevations. I've been thinking of heading up to and over Taboose Pass since last year after I went up to Shepard Pass. Going to Shepard Pass made me realize that some of these other tough hikes to high passes must be well worth the effort just like Shepard was.”

“i guess i'm signed on at work as 0 and at home as 1”