Virtual Tour
To help you visualize the route, courtesy of Erin (“Wired”) Saver.
Note: This video portrays the original Primary Route, which I changed after my July 2015 thru-hike. In particular:
1. From Dumbbell the Pass the Primary Route now goes over Amphitheater Pass and descends Cataract Creek to the JMT in Palisades Creek; the route over Observation Peak Pass and Adventurer Col remains an alternate, but it is unnecessarily hard.
2. From Black Giant Pass the Primary Route now climbs through Ionian Basin into upper Goddard Creek, which it descends all the way to the Middle Fork at Simpson Meadow. The route down Enchanted Gorge remains an alternate, but it’s the inferior route — it offers less time in Ionian Basin, and it is a less pleasant descent.
Andrew,
Crossed paths with one of your guided groups a few years back near Horse Creek Pass while finishing the northern section of the SHR. Now I’m looking to travel some sections of your KCHB out of Cedar Grove. I’m wondering about the section between Lakes Basin and Woods Creek. Your original Guide seems to go over Arrow Pass from Arrow Basin and connects to Woods Creek via a steep avalanche gully. At least two bloggers have commented elsewhere on the difficulty of that climb/descent into or out of Woods Creek, and I see in some of your comments you’ve recommended White Fork Pass, apparently as an alternative. Does your guide include info on that White Fork Pass Route? Thanks so much for all the great work helping people get out adventuring in these amazing High Sierras.
Yes, do White Fork, not Arrow. The guide has info on it.