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Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
#36020 04/24/14 12:26 PM
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Daniel Offline OP
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I hiked Mount Whitney in May 2006 via the Maine trail in a high snow year. Mount Whitney, May 29-31, 2006

I am going out to the high Sierra the weekend of May 9-12. I would like to climb Mount Williamson and Tyndall as part of a backpacking trip. Does anyone have an idea what to expect for Shepherd pass snow/stream crossing conditions? I know the Whitney trail gets packed down by lots of traffic-would I likely find myself breaking trail on Shepherd pass? How does the Shepherd pass slope compare to the gully next to the Mount Whitney trail above trail camp in steepness, avalanche risk?

Has anybody hiked this trail in similar conditions as are likely to exist in this lower snow year?

your input is greatly appreciated.

Daniel

Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
Daniel #36022 04/24/14 12:40 PM
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Daniel, early May, even in a low-snow year, is pretty early to hike to those elevations in the Sierra. You are likely to encounter high stream flows from the rapid melting of what snow there is, and you will be hiking over considerable snow once you get up to the 12,000' elevations of Shepherd Pass.

Shepherd pass sees less than 1% of the traffic compared to Whitney, so I'd assume you will be breaking trail. But the snow will be well consolidated, so should not pose too much additional work. Looking at your Whitney report, I doubt you will encounter anything worse than you did on that trip.

Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
Daniel #36033 04/24/14 05:29 PM
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My guess is that you will hit snow around by 10,000' and maybe even lower on some of the north facing slopes. Getting to the top of Shepherd Pass is comparable to doing Mount Whitney; so Tyndall is harder than Whitney and Williamson is harder than both Tyndall and Whitney. Tyndall's North Rib might have some icy snow on it as well as short Class 3 section on Williamson. The slope to Shepherd Pass isn't that steep, but you may run into a cornice at the top. It might just be a partial one that you can get around though. I don't imagine that creek crossings will be a major issue this year.

Although the lower part of George Creek is pretty rough - you might look into that route for an early season Williamson climb.

Even better might be Split Mountain from Red Lake if you're looking to do a 14er.

Anyway, go out there and enjoy - just go as far as you're comfortable. You can always go back another time if you don't make it this time. There's nothing like the Sierra in the spring once the snow consolidates.

Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
KathyW #36035 04/24/14 06:54 PM
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Hey guys, What is the roundtrip mileage for the route on Tyndall that uses Shepherd Pass to the North Rib. I've seen mixed numbers.
Elevation gain appears to be around 8,000ft? I am contemplating this in the near future also.

Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
nyker #36064 04/25/14 03:59 PM
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Hey Nyker. I'd say about 26-27 miles RT with 8700' feet of gain.

Elevation: Symmes Creek Trailhead is at 6300 feet in elevation. Tyndall is 14,025' but you lose (and must regain) 500' of elevation after Symmes Creek Saddle.

Distance: 12 miles + 6000' feet to the Pass proper. 0.75 mile +500 to the Tyndall-Polychrome Saddle (base of the N. Rib).

The North Rib proper is less that 0.5 horizontal miles to the summit but it is about 1500 feet over class 3. I'd say at worst its about 1.5 miles from SHEPHERDS PASS TO THE SUMMIT.


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Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
Snacking Bear #36067 04/25/14 06:39 PM
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Thanks Snacking Bear,

What is the suggested route these days...up the long NW ridge or up that North Rib?

Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
nyker #36090 04/26/14 01:12 PM
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North Rib seems to be standard. It's loads of fun and easy to follow. just top out the chute to the climbers left of the Rib proper.

CalicoKat reported to me that the NW ridge jumps between Class 3 and sketchy 4 just before it meets up with the exit chute for the N. Rib.

You'd also add some distance, I don't think it's much but if you are dayhiking this nasty beast every mile counts.


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Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
Snacking Bear #36095 04/26/14 03:50 PM
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Yea, good point about a daytrip...I am thinking that in current conditions, this WOULD be a beast to do as a dayclimb, with the added weight of snowgear....

Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
nyker #36099 04/27/14 12:23 AM
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I did Tyndall and Williamson in the 80s with a buddy. We got a shuttle ride to the trailhead late at night, hiked for maybe 3 hours with flashlights (no headlamps back then). Then camped overnight literally on the trail.

Day 2 we made it to Shepherd Pass. We were carrying 50+ lb packs, had planned on a week-long trip. We spent the night, I had AMS pretty bad.

Day 3, we did Tyndall, got done so early, we decided to move our packs down to Lake Helen of Troy (That took way longer than expected, it is rugged, even if it is dropping altitude) THEN we climbed Williamson that afternoon. I was ok at the end, but my partner dry-heaved several times.

That night at Lake Helen of Troy was the worst windy night ever. Couldn't sleep with the wind pounding the tent so badly, it was popping loudly most of the night.

Next morning (day 4), we were beaten (family issues too), canceled the rest of the trip (had planned on a Trojan, Barnard, Russell, Whitney x-country epic), and hiked ALL day to get back to the trailhead. No car, so then hiked out to the Onion Valley road, where we hitched a ride back to Independence, paid for another shuttle back to our car at Whitney Portal. 'Twas the craziest hike of my life!

Bottom line: Once at Shepherd Pass, you CAN do both peaks in a day. But you have to have the mindset to do it.


Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
Steve C #36101 04/27/14 07:29 AM
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Wow, what a trip you had....man..

So, both peaks in one day from the trailhead?? ..or once at the Pass?

Looking this over, I think I might have to wait until I have an extra day for Tyndall later in the summer/fall. For next week timing, 27+ miles, with 8000ft gain with the expected snow might be a bit much to do car-car in a day without much time to acclimatize.


Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
nyker #36115 04/27/14 10:30 PM
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I edited the text above to number the days 1 - 4.

That would be a huge day to do one of those peaks in a day car-to-car! And then only in mid summer after most of the snow melts.

Re: Shepherd Pass, Mount Williamson/Tyndall conditions?early May
Steve C #36117 04/28/14 06:00 AM
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ah, thanks Steve! I was going to say, I'd better eat my Wheaties before that one.


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