Trip Report
Koip Peak Pass - Thousand Island Lake - Donohue Pass trip

by Steve in Tahoe
Saturday August 20, 2011 1:32pm
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Alger Lakes, from Koip Peak Pass
Alger Lakes, from Koip Peak Pass
Credit: Steve in Tahoe
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Wifey and me just did a 45 mile loop. Koip Peak Pass is awesome, never been before. We spent night 3 on the Yosemite side below Donohue Pass. Was hoping to scramble Mt. Lyell and Mt. McClure, but there was way more snow then I anticipated. Beyond my skills and energy level...last time I climbed it there was no snow below the glacier.

Check out the snowpack: http://stevedunleavy.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Yosemite/13787391_fNKZF#1434353795_zKnKRZL

We camped right at this spot, trying to stay high and away from the bugs. Great sunset that night looking down on the lower lake and Lyell Canyon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42507736@N02/6050884337/in/photostream

Sorry for the links, I haven't figured out how to post pics directly to the forum...(My bad...just figured out, next time I'll get it right).

Cheers,
Steve

  Trip Report Views: 5,823
Steve in Tahoe 		About the Author
Steve in Tahoe is a social climber from Lake Tahoe, NV.

Comments
Kalimon

Social climber
Ridgway, CO
  Aug 20, 2011 - 01:41pm PT
Very cool tour of some classic Sierra landscapes.

Thank you!
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
  Aug 20, 2011 - 03:18pm PT
Did Mt. Wood a couple times, and descended to those lakes. Also dropped into Alger Creek Canyon (seen in the photo) to shortcut to Silver Lake on the June Lake Loop. Thanks for posting.
Mike Bolte

Trad climber
Planet Earth
  Aug 20, 2011 - 03:26pm PT
some terrific photos in your links
JOEY.F

Gym climber
It's not rocket surgery
  Aug 20, 2011 - 05:29pm PT
That's a great loop, been a long time. Loved all your photos, nice to see the North Boundary shots too!
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Aug 20, 2011 - 06:47pm PT
World class photography, I'm not worthy, tfpu!!!
Captain...or Skully

climber
Boise, ID
  Aug 22, 2011 - 04:45pm PT
Homan...Words cannot describe such Glory. My words fall short, anyway.
HUGE TFPU right there. Wow.
atchafalaya

Boulder climber
  Aug 22, 2011 - 04:54pm PT
Nice loop, that is one of my favorite areas. That last lake before the Donahue pass climb is really cool. Thanks!
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
  Aug 22, 2011 - 05:09pm PT
I first did that loop in 1968 (a very dry year) and it was still overwhelmed by the spectacular view of the Ritter Range from Koip Peak. I keep a picture of Banner Peak from Thousand Island Lake from that trip on the wall behind my computer monitors. Thank you very much for the post.

John
surfstar

climber
Santa Barbara, CA
  Aug 22, 2011 - 08:57pm PT
Great shots - you suffered through some mosquitoes and early mornings for those, and well worth the effort!
Steve in Tahoe

Mountain climber
Lake Tahoe, NV
Author's Reply  Aug 29, 2011 - 04:38pm PT
Thanks for looking, guys. Yeah, the bugs were pretty bad - went through a bottle of DEET. I'm heading out tomorrow for a 65 mile Kings Canyon romp with my daughter - Kearsarge Pass to South Lake / Bishop. Hope the bugs have calmed down a little...

And I just figured out TFPU! It's all good -

Steve in Tahoe
Captain...or Skully

climber
Boise, ID
  Aug 22, 2011 - 11:17pm PT
Hey, one pays for glory in blood, sometimes. Needed a bit more breeze maybe. You get what she'll give ya. Mom's in charge of that.
Yer gonna die, huh? Yup, No worries.
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