Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Williamson Conditions?

Has anybody been up Shepard Pass lately and know the conditions for the West Face route of Mt. Williamson?

Bumping this up in case anyone missed it. This is my next adventure, gang! Woohoo!! So any information would be greatly appreciated!

-L

My climbing partner and myself made it up to the top of Shepherd Pass this past Friday. The trail is free of snow up to Anvil camp, and took about 7 and a half hours to reach. From Anvil camp to the top of the pass, there were intermittent patches of snow which were only a problem from the standpoint that they obscured where the trail went. Because of this, what should have been a relatively short 2 mile climb took over 6 hours. When you get to within 100 feet or so of the top of the pass itself, there is one final patch of snow, necessitating a short traverse with crampons and ice axe. The lake at the top of the pass was completely frozen over, although I was able to locate one small pool of water nearby. Our intent was to summit Tyndall that afternoon and climb Williamson the next day, but we turned around at about 6:00pm at 13,000' feet on Tyndall that evening and decided to abort our attempt on Williamson the next day due to my partner's severely blistered feet. The descent from the pass back down to the trailhead took a little over 8 hours. Even without the snow patches, this is a brutal climb due to the low elevation of the trailhead and the 500 foot descent from the ridge dividing Symmes creek from Shepherd creek.

Thanks, G! Sounds like it'll be a tough weekend, but I am looking forward to the challenge! I'll post a trip report next week when we get back regardless! Hope your buddie's feet are feeling better!

-Laura

I am going up in three weeks, and would love to hear your report. We are planning the Shepard's Pass route Friday and Saturday and then possibly Tyndall Sunday.

Good luck!

Good luck this weekend Laura. As you commented about the water in another thread I thought I'd add here that the waterfall I mentioned before Anvil Camp was only flowing in the afternoon. When we came back through in the morning it was not yet flowing, but then melts out enough in the afternoon. This was in early July a few years ago after a heavier winter, so I don't know what you'll find now. But there were other useable trickles, I recall, along the Shepherd Creek trail (Shepherd Pass trail) as you progress up the drainage, so I doubt you'll have to go all the way from Symmes Creek to Anvil before you can refill. I'm not sure of that, though. Anyway, have a great time on Williamson. Look forward to your TR. - Marc

When I did this hike in 2001, there actually WAS no water from the last stream (Symmes) crossing until Mahogany Flats. I'd planned to refill along the way, and everything was dry. I ran out of water, got dehydrated, and had to stop for the nite at Anvil, due to leg cramps. Ugggh.

That was June 15, about three weeks later, but with the low snowpack, I'd think it would be similar conditions.

TR: http://www.climber.org/TripReports/2001/839.html

Have any guess on what it will be like above the pass with the low snowfall this year? (re: climbing Willy or Tyndall)

Thinking really hard about doing one as a dayhike on Saturday. (MT has offered to provide assistance if I run out of gas on the way down.)

Nice TR, Ken! Hmmm... we'll see about the dip in the lake. I just don't see my moose hat keeping me warm on that one!

I'll be sure to water-up at the last Symmes Creek crossing.

And as for you, Richard, just remember that "assistance" doesn't mean carry your butt off the mountain! j/k, buddy. You know you're welcome to crash in my camp anytime!

Bring it on! Thanks for all the good wishes, and I'll post a TR on Tuesday/Wednesday.

-L

Laura have a great time on Williamson!.....I had planned to try for Williamson VIA George Creek before the May 15th close date..but was sick for a month and was not able to get my body in hiking shape for it. The Shepherds pass trail is beautiful I think..we camped at Anvil camp and were invaded by the worst mosquitoes I have ever experienced in the Sierra!!!

We did it in early July..and it was hotter than heck on the trail about 90 degrees. I will look forward to your story and pics!
Have a safe and fun adventure!

I did Tyndall and Williamson a few years ago right around July 1. We accidentally started at the pack trailhead (just to add another few hundred vertical, since it wasn't enough...) and camped at Anvil the first night. I concur with madeintahoe about the mosquitos there: I walked around in circles for several hours just so they wouldn't have a place to land.

We did Tyndall the next day, took a rest day to move camp and scout the route on Williamson (and generally futz around), then went up it on the last day. Wonderful area and both are very fun routes!

-julian

Answering my own question:

There is very little snow left on, or above the pass.

A few snowfields above Anvil Camp that soften up (postholing) in the afternoon.

The pass is still covered in snow, but you can avoid it (and leave axe and crampons home) by climbing scree on the right side. The snowfield at the top of the pass has a nice boot track making for great footing.

I didn't get a view of the gullies on the West Face of Williamson, so I can't comment on it, but the mountain in nearly free of snow (a few big snowfields on the summit plateau).

The North Rib of Tyndall has snow remaining, making for interesting navigation.