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Shepherds Crest/Mt Conness in Yosemite

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chris smead BPL Member
PostedApr 11, 2014 at 5:46 pm

Hey guys,
I'm considering a route similar to what Bob G. suggested a few weeks back in the Yosemite Saddleback lake area. I came up with 2 options. Let me know whatcha think. I know nothing of this area except what I've googled, so I'm open to whatever info you have to share.

Option 1:
Day 1- Arrive at Saddleback in the afternoon, camp at Steelhead lake.
Day 2- Head west over the crest, pass Upper McCabe lake, then head South and camp at Roosevelt lake.
Day 3-Head south, and summit Mt Conness via class 2 route on south side, then back down and camp at Young Lakes
Day 4-Summit Ragged peak and head down dogwood trail to Tuolumne meadows. Hitch a ride back to Saddleback lake.

Option 2:
Day 1- Arrive at Saddleback in the afternoon, camp at Steelhead lake.
Day 2- Head west over the crest, pass Upper McCabe lake,then South and camp at Roosevelt lake.
Day 3-Head south, and summit Mt Conness via class 2 route on south side, then back down and camp at Young Lakes
Day 4-Head east back up the ridge, cross between big horn and alpine lakes back down to Saddleback. (class 2 I hope?)

Paul Wagner BPL Member
PostedApr 12, 2014 at 9:15 am

Unless you are VERY compfortable with high exposure and Class III+ climbing, go for the route back to the road. The east side of that crest between Youngs Lakes and Big Horn Lake is not steep, it's vertical.

chris smead BPL Member
PostedApr 13, 2014 at 11:41 pm

Thanks Paul! Good to know. I'll head down to Via dog lake trail instead.

I'm wondering if it's too ambitious to summit Conness from Roosevelt lake and the camp at Young lakes in a single day….

PostedApr 14, 2014 at 8:08 am

Day three should be no problem as long as you are in reasonably good shape. Many people climb technical routes on Conness from Roosevelt in a day – I've done it and it's OK.

As an alternative for day 4, consider following the Sierra High Route back to Saddlebag Lake. From Young Lakes, loop around the south side of Ragged towards Skelton Lakes then head up towards the Great Sierra Mine. Head over Mine Shaft Pass (class 2) and traverse back to Saddlebag Lake. I've done your loop many times and this is one of the best parts, in my opinion better than climbing Ragged especially since you will just have climbed Conness.

Ken Helwig BPL Member
PostedApr 25, 2014 at 11:32 am

Andrew I am planning this loop for later this summer. I can barely find any info on Mine Shaft Pass. Do you have any pictures? If not what was your experience going over?

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