Full Hike [CC]: Better Together at Shepherd Pass in the Sierra Nevada Range of California, Part 2b

Some things are simply better when experienced together. Twins; burger and French fries; surfing and California.

Mount Tyndall and Mount Williamson are a pair of 14,000-foot-plus mountains (“fourteeners” or “14ers”) located at Shepherd Pass in the Sierra Nevada Range. Among the highest summits and popular objectives, they present greater challenges than nearby celebrity Mount Whitney.

Logistically, these neighboring summits offer an obvious “two-for-one” deal, preferably snatched by well-experienced mountaineers. Ideal basecamp at barren Shepherd Pass is usually reached through an eastern approach. The trailhead—less than 30 minutes outside of the blink-and-you-will-miss-it town of Independence—is comparatively low-elevation to other Owens Valley peers granting access into the soaring granite domain.

As such, the trip numbers are utterly impressive. 29-30 miles in distance, approximately 11,000 feet in elevation, usually with two overnights, when it is all over. Most of that involving Shepherd Pass Trail, which gains its namesake mountain pass after 10.7 miles and 6,771 feet. The rest demanding crosscountry navigation—including weaving through the mazy Williamson Bowl—and considerable time spent scrambling steep, twitchy scree/talus.

North rib is a direct up/down solution to Tyndall and its “precarious like nothing else” summit rock. From there, peer across at Williamson. Its western face hides the slanted access chute which, of course, has to be capped by a crux chimney before competent parties can finally set foot on the unexpectedly spacious summit plateau. Then, properly return a gaze to Tyndall.

Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wYVT4yBk6fpBfi8B7
Route: Shepherd Pass Trail
Type: Loop (lollipop)
Distance: 29-30 miles
Elevation Gain: 11,000+ feet
Location: Inyo National Forest & Sequoia National Park, California, USA
Date/Time: 2022-10-17 1108; 2022-10-21 1618
Chapters:
00:29:50 Williamson Bowl
02:02:21 Ascending west face
02:40:51 Climbing chimney (crux)
02:57:14 Summit
03:12:05 Downclimbing chimney (crux) & descending west face
04:20:04 Williamson Bowl
05:37:07 Shepherd Pass Trail/Shepherd Pass
06:06:30 The Pothole
06:20:41 Anvil Camp
06:54:36 Mahogany Flat
07:43:03 “Symmes Saddle”
08:28:03 Symmes Creek
08:46:24 Trailhead

#hiking #mountaineering #LeaveNoTrace