junction, forester, shepherd passes conditions
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 5:47 pmJust returned from a trip over Junction, Forester, and Shepherd Passes, which is a hell of a nice loop. The Junction Pass Trail is of course degraded to the point of non-existence for the last several miles over the east side (which is really the south side) of the pass- lots of scree and sand traversing for about a mile and a half, and then a final 1500' ascent to the pass. No significant snow on either side of the pass. Forester Pass is melting out rapidly, and the bootpack from the PCT thru-hikers is easy to follow.
Shepherd Pass, however, is a different matter. The the trail down the north headwall isn't much use, as it descends a narrow chute that is full of snow. The main chute which cuts the headwall has a 300-400' snowfield, which is quite steep in some places though not all. There are fingers of talus that can be connected through a 200' descending traverse of the snowfield. It's no big deal in the afternoon when the snow is soft in the mid to late afternoon, but in the morning it would certainly require crampons and an ice axe. We descended it (with only trekking poles) at 6PM, and it was already icing over. It looks like it could be another couple of weeks before it melts out.
Shepherd Pass, however, is a different matter. The the trail down the north headwall isn't much use, as it descends a narrow chute that is full of snow. The main chute which cuts the headwall has a 300-400' snowfield, which is quite steep in some places though not all. There are fingers of talus that can be connected through a 200' descending traverse of the snowfield. It's no big deal in the afternoon when the snow is soft in the mid to late afternoon, but in the morning it would certainly require crampons and an ice axe. We descended it (with only trekking poles) at 6PM, and it was already icing over. It looks like it could be another couple of weeks before it melts out.