Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion xcountry route-Gardiner Basin-Lakes Basin to Palisade Basin

Yes, you can do it crosscountry, from the top of Glen Pass head north west to Rae Col into 60 Lakes Basin>60 Lakes Col>King Col>White Fork Pass or Explorer Pass>Cartridge Pass>Dumbbell Pass>Cataract Pass and down to Deer Meadow to get back on the JMT.
This is at least 5-6 days, you must have a solid class 3 crosscountry pass experience, with a pack, to even consider doing it!
White Fork Pass is easier than Explorer Pass, but the Window Creek/Window Lake drainage is spectacular. King Col is listed as a class 2, but it is a nasty class 3, northern side of Dumbbell and Cataract Passes are solid class 2's and not be taken lightly either.