Malto
06-05-2018, 13:16
The ornery thread got me thinking about a truly world class alternate to the JMT, I will call it the Great Malto Trail, just to add to the appeal. Here is the challenge.
1) Start in Yosemite but not necessarily Happy Isles.
2) End somewhere in Kings Canyon but it doesn't have to be Whitney.
3) Make it a truly epic (to get Facebook likes) but accessible (so your adoring blogger fan base can dream of doing it.)
Here is a start with some pictures and description. What are some improvement that could be made to make this a viable alternative to getting a standard JMT permit?
1) Start at Happy Isles but after seeing the people infested but beautiful Vernal and Nevada Falls head southeast up and over Red Peak Pass into the Merced Drainage.
42827
2) Cross the Merced Drainage and head up on the Isberg Pass Trail.
42828
3) Exit Yosemite at Blue Lake Pass and follow the Sierra High Route to the JMT at Thousand Island Lake. Incredible views of Banner and Ritter.
42829
4) Follow the JMT past Devils Postpile (resupply option), through Tully Hole and Silver Pass to the Mono Creek Trail near VVR. (resupply option)
42830
5) Take the Mono Creek trail to the Second Recess and Follow the SHR over to the Piute Pass Trail. This relative easy section of the SHR avoids Bear Ridge and is much more scenic.
42831
6) Go west down Piute Canyon and join up with the JMT at the San Joaquin River. MTR is close for resupply.
42832
7) Follow the JMT through Evolution Valley over both Muir and Mather Passes. Extra Credit for side trip to Darwin Bench (First Picture) Second picture is Evolution Lake.
42833
42834
8) Now the trickiest part. Leaving the JMT at Upper Basin, Follow the SHR up and over Frozen Lake Pass into Lake Basin to Marion Lake. Spend the night.
42835
9) Backtrack slightly through Lake Basin and exit via the Cartridge Pass and Follow the South Fork Kings River to the JMT. (I have not done cartridge Pass.)
42836
10) Follow JMT over Pinchot and Glen Passes to Center Basin. Resupply option over Kearsarge Pass.
42837
11) Follow the old JMT (?) through Center Basin and over Junction Pass. (This photo was from a snowshoe trip.)
42838
12) Go down to the Pothole and head west on the Shepherds Pass Trail. (I have not gone over Shepherds Pass.)
42839
13) Meet up with the JMT and head north over Forester Pass to Vidette Meadows.
42840
14) Take Bubbs Creek Trail down to Roads End in Kings Canyon.
42841
Now, your challenge. How could this be better?
1) Start in Yosemite but not necessarily Happy Isles.
2) End somewhere in Kings Canyon but it doesn't have to be Whitney.
3) Make it a truly epic (to get Facebook likes) but accessible (so your adoring blogger fan base can dream of doing it.)
Here is a start with some pictures and description. What are some improvement that could be made to make this a viable alternative to getting a standard JMT permit?
1) Start at Happy Isles but after seeing the people infested but beautiful Vernal and Nevada Falls head southeast up and over Red Peak Pass into the Merced Drainage.
42827
2) Cross the Merced Drainage and head up on the Isberg Pass Trail.
42828
3) Exit Yosemite at Blue Lake Pass and follow the Sierra High Route to the JMT at Thousand Island Lake. Incredible views of Banner and Ritter.
42829
4) Follow the JMT past Devils Postpile (resupply option), through Tully Hole and Silver Pass to the Mono Creek Trail near VVR. (resupply option)
42830
5) Take the Mono Creek trail to the Second Recess and Follow the SHR over to the Piute Pass Trail. This relative easy section of the SHR avoids Bear Ridge and is much more scenic.
42831
6) Go west down Piute Canyon and join up with the JMT at the San Joaquin River. MTR is close for resupply.
42832
7) Follow the JMT through Evolution Valley over both Muir and Mather Passes. Extra Credit for side trip to Darwin Bench (First Picture) Second picture is Evolution Lake.
42833
42834
8) Now the trickiest part. Leaving the JMT at Upper Basin, Follow the SHR up and over Frozen Lake Pass into Lake Basin to Marion Lake. Spend the night.
42835
9) Backtrack slightly through Lake Basin and exit via the Cartridge Pass and Follow the South Fork Kings River to the JMT. (I have not done cartridge Pass.)
42836
10) Follow JMT over Pinchot and Glen Passes to Center Basin. Resupply option over Kearsarge Pass.
42837
11) Follow the old JMT (?) through Center Basin and over Junction Pass. (This photo was from a snowshoe trip.)
42838
12) Go down to the Pothole and head west on the Shepherds Pass Trail. (I have not gone over Shepherds Pass.)
42839
13) Meet up with the JMT and head north over Forester Pass to Vidette Meadows.
42840
14) Take Bubbs Creek Trail down to Roads End in Kings Canyon.
42841
Now, your challenge. How could this be better?