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This Class III scramble offers a shortcut to Blackrock Pass cutting out the Timber Gap route.


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2.3

Miles

3.7

KM

Point to Point

11,160' 3,402 m

High

9,526' 2,903 m

Low

87' 27 m

Up

1,714' 523 m

Down

15%

Avg Grade (8°)

37%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

No fires above 10,000'. You also may want to check Sequoia's wilderness rules and regulations before setting out with a large group.

Description

It's important to note that this route is an off-trail route that is mostly marked by rock cairns. You'll want to bring a paper map, a compass, and your route-finding skills with you on this route.

From Monarch Lake begin the slog up to Sawtooth Pass on the Monarch Trail. Stay left of the large sandy area of Sawtooth's approach and pick a route leading toward the top of the pass. Glacier Pass is the low area between Empire Mountain and Sawtooth Peak. Once on top of Glacier Pass, follow the Class III cross country trail marked by cairns all the way to Spring Lake.

After a night at Spring Lake, cross country down the valley and meet up with the trail ascending Blackrock Pass. From there, you can complete the loop as described in the Mineral King Loop, or you can descend west on the Blackrock Pass trail to its intersection with the Timber Gap Trail to return to your vehicle via that shorter loop.

Flora & Fauna

Small, but great fishing can be had at Spring Lake.

Contacts

Shared By:

Aaron Groves

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 3 votes

#19

in Mineral King

#24089

Overall
  3.7 from 3 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
33%
Trail Rankings

#19

in Mineral King

#2,341

in California

#24,089

Overall
9 Views Last Month
4,529 Since Sep 12, 2016
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Photos

Glacier Pass, headed toward Spring Lake.
Sep 12, 2016 near Three R…, CA
Camps at Spring Lake look toward Black Rock Pass.
Apr 18, 2017 near Three R…, CA
Spring Lake.
Sep 12, 2016 near Three R…, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Sep 22, 2018
David Knowles
Sep 3, 2016
Aaron Groves
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