yosemiteforlife67 wrote:Thanks, i am still trying to decide whether to just take the main trail from langley down to lower soldier lake, and just continue over guyot pass, through crabtree meadow and on up to guitar lake and onto trail crest, or take the adventurous route. I am not going to go, until the last week of july, but i appreciate the information on this route so i can decide whether we will take this route, my group numbers 10 so with the class 3 stuff, it might be a little challenging...
I have hiked all over the area you are interested in, and my opinion is to stay on the main trail. Although it looks longer on the map, you will find it takes far less time by going over Guyot. Depending on your schedule, I'd recommend to take time for day hikes and explore Miter Basin.
Another option is to hike into Crabtree Lake Basin from Sky Blue, then down to the main trail in Crabtree Meadow. It is more about personal preferences in making this call; if you really prefer tedious cross-country mountaineering, then go for the "straight-line" cross-country route. My efforts always seem to get frustrated with more time and energy spent slogging through the cross-country routes than had I stayed on the main trail, those straight lines are not all that straight! For me, in terms of time spent on the trail, going from point A to point B, I find greater efficiency by using the main trail for the most part, and going off trail to access a lake basin here or there for solitude. Safety is another consideration, and who you plan to take with you. Class 3 routes are deceptively challenging! Chances for potentially serious injury are far greater than looking at a map might suggest. The greater the number in your party, the greater the odds for injury. One serious injury will completely change everything.