Pioneer Basin/Mono Divide

“My vote is for the round trip with no car shuttle. We did Lamarck Col so we should have no problem on these passes. I could not see Cox Col on Topo Zone, but I can guess as to where it is by looking at the terrain to Treasure Lakes.”

“The upper 150 feet of the eastern side is suppose to be nasty. I found someone who did a trip over Cox Col, I'll try to link it. The west side is a walk-up; same with Gabbot Pass.”

“Here it is:
http://pika.hopto.org/Mono_Recesses_2004/index.htm
The area looks real nice.
last edited: 12/05/05 6:47:50 PM”

“Cool Trip!
Buck has a lot of super photos of this area.”

“Michael, come along!”

“My all-time fav pics are from a trip I did to Mono Pass last July 4th. I rotate many of them as my Desktop Background, so whenever I boot-up my computer for presentations to the groups I work with I get a zillion" GOSH WHERE IS THAT!!! kinda responses.

And that's not because I am a good photographer (actually, I suck), it is because it is one of the most awesome places going on our planet!

I LOVE Mono Pass / Pioneer Basin, if you haven't been there, cancel all other plans & make this happen, it's well worth it.”

“Geologyguy...I would love to do this trip but I have another trip planned(Canadian Rockies)for the same week.”

“Hee hee, I just looked at the participants for this hike. If it's just us four (geo,cub,jvz, and moi) we might as well go to a bar and sleep in the gutter for the week!”

“Here is some Cox Col info from a real nice guy who did this trip:

Yes, it's hard to describe. I called it a trail in quotes... basically it's sandy ground between large rocks, more like sand patches with rock drop-offs than a real trail. In most spots you're kind of between large rocks, usually there is a rock to hold or lean against. I didn't feel horribly exposed at any point. Wearing my pack, it suffered some damage on the mesh water bottle holders from making some of the moves.”

“Someones description:

We had wonderful, easy, sandy slopes to walk down from the col, at least at first. Secor's description was rather vague, about having to turn right (to the northwest) before turning left (to the southwest) to descend to [Lake Italy]. The temptation is to go southwest too soon, to avoid going "too far out of the way", and we ended up going down some steep, slippery sections that would have been better avoided. It's better to stay in northwest direction longer, heading into the upper portions of the bowl around Gabb, Abbott and Dade, then descending the much easier slopes from there.
Looking back towards the col one is truly able to appreciate Secor's statement about it being the only reasonable crossing of the Sierra crest in that area. The gentle sandy slopes leading up to the col were all the more remarkable considering the almost vertical walls leading up to Dade, Abbott and Mills.

On August 25, 2000, Gary Davidson added:

I want to agree with the comments posted, but would like to add a warning. To most backpackers, the first 150 ft or so of the descent on the east side would be 3rd class, not second. Hands must be used for downclimbing, not maintaining balance (that is my understanding of the difference between 3rd and 2nd class).”

“I think it's beginning to happen to again. Each winter people start worrying about snow levels, crampons, river crossings, cols.

Suck it up and stop!

You should worry about the flowing lava if anything but I'm sure everything will work out fine.

LOL :)”

“Snow is not the problem, it is the steepness on the backside of Coxat the very top.
last edited: 12/06/05 12:54:21 PM”

“Look at PC, such the man. I want to drink with him!”

“I'll try to add to my repertoire of jokes by August......”

“This sounds like a nice trip. Fourth Recess Lake would also be a nice place to camp the first night. Travel in Pioneer Basin is easy and it's just beautiful in there. Granite Park is also very beautiful and Italy Pass is an easy pass - not really xcountry because it has a trail going over it.

I want to go in from Pine Creek to Granite Park (day hiked there once but I want to go back and camp there) and then over to Royce Lakes and try Merriam and Royce Peaks sometime.”

“I don't care what anybody thinks but I loved Aussie's jokes.”

“especially Sparky, the dog.”

“I'm in. I'll start practicing walking with my hands right away.

When we descended from Sawtooth Pass on the first Sierrapalooza, the rocks I wanted to hold to stabilize myself would just slide down the hill if I touched them. So, uh, what class is that? At least, the rocks in Cox Col stay put when you use them. That's gotta be easier, right?”

“Will see how many jokes Aussie can get on the head of a pin.”

“Oh gosh another great trip! I have been to the Pioneer Basin..it is truly stunning and I loved it there...Wingding is right it is very easy travel in there. Even though I have been there..the other parts I have not.... Second recess and out that way would be beautiful. To many gorgeous places to hike in the Sierra & not enough time..I want to retire I think :)
I added my link to my Pioneer Basin trip I did in 2004..in case anyone would like to see the area. Buck has the most beautiful pictures of the area!
http://community.webshots.com/album/390602386AyKbsq”

“Stratusloop, you have to make this one!”

“so, who can pick me up and drop me back off at the airport? which airport is best? can i crash in someone's yard if necessary?”

“Madeintahoe, beautiful pictures, too many beautiful places! I know what you mean about wanting to retire.”

“Yo Pantscandy...dude....I really want to go on this trip man....I've been wanting to get Pioneer Basin ever since Buck posted his awesome photos...it's marked on the calendar......although this cuts into my bodysurfing time.....”

“in all seriousness, i am interested in this trip.

what is the best airport to fly into?”

“Pioneer Basin:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/84122525/91504903GYdrbD

Granite Park:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/87646609/88511957uPwvaJ”

“I think Sawtooth Pass is class one.”

“Baume,
Depending on who is definitely going and could give you a ride...

I think Sacramento would be first. There are a couple airports in the Los Angeles area too. Then there is also Reno, NV. but you may need to rent a car from there and you probably don't want to have it sitting at the trailhead for a week.

I'd go with Sacramento. You won't be dumped into LA and succumb to massive culture shock. :)

Oakland airport is closest to me. San Francisco is closest to wannabp & landscaper. Sacramento is closest to Geologyguy and LA airports are in the realm of cubsfan. Take your pick.

Previously, TTer's primarily flew into either Sacramento or LA airports.”

“Baume, I just signed up as a "maybe", but I'm gonna do my best to make this trip (see my above post about how much I like this area!)

If I can make it, (and I believe w this much advance I'll be OK), then you can plan on flying into Sacramento & I'll pick you up.

Same offer applies to anyone else, of course!
last edited: 12/08/05 8:57:11 PM”

“thanks guys. i'm in then....and PUMPED!!!!


it appears this will be my year of extended western travels and this will be the icing on the cake. ohhhhhhhhhhh what sweet icing this will be!

this would be a fly in on friday-fly out on friday type trip?”

“Wingding, I'm sure Sawtooth Pass is a Class 1. You walk down it. It was just weird to me to stop and lean on a boulder only to find it sliding away down the hill.”

“I'll be flying in too - most likely Sacramento.

Wanderer2 - I'd like to take you up on your offer of transportation.

Baume66 - I guess when it gets closer we should try to sync up our flight times so we arrive close together. I'm contemplating doing wingding's trip immediately following this one, so not sure when I'll be flying back north.”

“yes, we should.”

“Check it out. I changed the first nights destination to Fourth Recess Lake. Wingding made the suggestion, and Buck's pictures from his website confirmed it. Very nice.”

“Looks like a great trip!”

“summa#&%!$. I can't walk that far!”

“Pantscandy - It's a pretty easy to get to Fourth Recess in one day. I did it with a late start and you're faster than I am. You just have to get over Mono Pass and then it's all downhill.”

“I want geologydude to carry me to camp.”

“Pantscandy - I think you're asking for too much.”

“Does this area require a Bear can?

Got room from another?”

“yes, and yes”

“Kewl Beans!!!
I'm a strong maybe, so far.
Never backpacked in CA before, but have in the Rockies and the Winds.
It will be GREAT to hike with the beautiful Aussie and wannabp again. Oh yea, landscaper and matt again too, and meet so many new folks.

How bad are the bugs around those lakes?
I've done August backpacks with no bugs in the Rockies and got eaten alive by them in the Wind River Range.
Head Nets a good idea?”

“Welcome aboard Stovie!

The mozzies will be greatly reduced by August but there will be some annoying us. If you want to carry a head net it will help. Most just use raingear, deet, and a campfire, if allowed.”

“So what is with the short 3.5 mile 2nd day? Not that I do not mind, just asking.”

“Stovie, I usually start leaving the ol' head net behind come August when hiking in the Sierra... There can still be some mosquitoes out and about but most years they're not too bad in August.”

“Welcome, SS. Geologyguy's trips are always memorable.”

“...and if anybody forgets something, geologyguy will run back to the trailhead to get it.

:)”

“Mark, the short second day is for those that want to sleep in (Rockman/PC), or spend some time exploring in Pioneer Basin.”

“Looks like a cool trip...I am still a maybe...”