Climbing to Donohue Pass

Donohue Pass is the first pass you have to climb when going the north to south direction along the JMT, so it has the reputation of being a tough one. I’ve gone over it a few times now and I have to say I disagree. It’s one of the most beautiful passes in the Sierra – gorgeous meadows with crystal clear glacier-fed lakes and streams, views of the craggiest peaks in Yosemite, and it even has fresh water for you right at the pass in the form of a tarn. The distraction of the scenery, while common on many passes, really keeps my mind off of the climb and a grin on my face the whole way.
Close to the pass, the trail can be difficult to follow due to the landscape. It’s solid granite up there and since it is a gradual slope, there is no obvious trail blasted out of the rock. David ended up missing the pass by about 500 feet, as did I. I was able to catch my error since I’d been up there before, but it was all new to him and he ended up completely missing the real pass and wandering down towards another lake. Pavla, of course, kept to the trail with no problem. After a bit of worry we met up with each other again and continued on towards Thousand Island Lake.

Camp and Banner Peak after storm

The clouds started forming again like the previous day and we were pretty sure we were in for some storms. But fortune seemed to shine on us, literally – we spent almost all day under the shrinking but persistent patch of blue sky among the storm clouds. Once we reached the lake and set up camp, we patiently waited for the storms to happen and clear up before we committed to anything like cooking or fishing, but the small patch of blue sky eventually won the battle and the storms disappeared. I felt like we spent all day walking around in a tiny box of nice weather, while everything around us went haywire.
I’ve never heard coyotes like I did at Thousand Island Lake – incredible! And rather frightening, when they start it up close to your camp. I had brought along earplugs for David’s snoring (which only seems to bother me in the confines of a tent), but it turns out I only needed them for the coyotes.

Donohue Pass to Thousand Island Lake (07.31.2009)

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