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Anyone been up/down Shepherd Pass recently? I heard the trail got gouged out pretty bad and was wondering if it was still passable.

Thank you!

Yep, came out from Williamson on the 27th. The stream crossing just before Anvil Camp is the worse but it's ducked very well; you just scramble down into the "wash." Everywhere the trail was washed out or damaged has been remarked by kind hikers. You can't get lost.
I'm actually going up there tomorrow to head for Milestone and Midway. Friday I can give a more recent update, but really it's fine ... So is the road to trailhead.
Happy trails!

Forgot to include this but when is the next closest water source after leaving symmes creek going up? Usually carry a liter or less at a time but I know it has been a dry year so was unsure about water between Anvil Camp and Symmes creek

You'll only need a liter all the way up and over Shepherd Pass. In fact, I ONLY carry a liter and made it nicely to Milestone Basin. TONS of water all the way! 8 stream crossings in 11 miles? Yep.

Thanks Deb! Think we may have talked to you on Thursday coming down from the saddle. We were heading over shepherd then ending at Whitney portal 5 days later

Alpenglow wrote:Thanks Deb! Think we may have talked to you on Thursday coming down from the saddle. We were heading over shepherd then ending at Whitney portal 5 days later

Oh cool! How was your trip?
BTW, heading back up there to dayhike Tyndall on Saturday; I will be sure to scarf up the wild huckleberries on the way in. YUM!

Deb wrote:

Alpenglow wrote:Thanks Deb! Think we may have talked to you on Thursday coming down from the saddle. We were heading over shepherd then ending at Whitney portal 5 days later

Oh cool! How was your trip?
BTW, heading back up there to dayhike Tyndall on Saturday; I will be sure to scarf up the wild huckleberries on the way in. YUM!

It was great! The pass was tough with packs and Whitney was freezing when we camped on the top, otherwise it was awesome haha. Good luck with Tyndall, that's a lot of vertical! My favorite part were the seemingly pointless switchbacks between mahogany flat and the washed out gully!

Hey all,

How was the road to get to the trailhead? 4x4 needed or passable with basic 2wd car?

Also... Any water once on top of Shepherd's Pass? Looking to overnight and bag Tyndall and was debating on camping above or below Shepherd's Pass.

Thanks,

Gusto

MCGusto wrote:Also... Any water once on top of Shepherd's Pass? Looking to overnight and bag Tyndall and was debating on camping above or below Shepherd's Pass.

There's a decent-sized lake right at the pass. You might as well tag Williamson while you're in the neighborhood...

Ha! I was supposed to bag Tyndall the last time I did Williamson! Williamson pretty much knocked me out, so I decided against both in a day. Now I've got to slog back over Shepherd's Pass for Round 2.

Ugh.

Gusto

MCGusto wrote:Ha! I was supposed to bag Tyndall the last time I did Williamson! Williamson pretty much knocked me out, so I decided against both in a day. Now I've got to slog back over Shepherd's Pass for Round 2.

Ugh.

Gusto

When are you headed out? I need Tyndall, thanks to torrential rain.
BTW, the road is easily passable by most any vehicle; no problem. Lots of water and huckleberries along the way.

Deb,

Shot you a PM.

Gusto

Lots of water and huckleberries along the way.

On the way to Williamson/Tyndall? That sounds awesome. I still have not done Tyndall..not sure I would get there though if there are huckleberries on the way..

Vitaliy M. wrote:

Lots of water and huckleberries along the way.

On the way to Williamson/Tyndall? That sounds awesome. I still have not done Tyndall..not sure I would get there though if there are huckleberries on the way..

Still going if you want in....

Heading up Saturday morning barring problems with fires....

Gusto