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| Produced by Back Country Enthusiasts for Back Country Enthusiasts
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Taboose Pass From Hwy. 395, 12 miles south of Big Pine, or 14 miles north of Independence, turn on Taboose Creek road. Drive about a mile, passing the Taboose Campground on your left, the road jogs to the right, then turn left and continue up a very rough, rocky road to the trailhead about 5 miles. High clearance vehicles strongly recommended. The Taboose Pass Trail is a very strenuous trail that provides access to the John Muir / Pacific Crest Trail. The beginning of the hike is very sandy and dry, bring extra water and start early in the day. Begin from the parking area, winding your way on a sandy, sage-lined trail. The sound of the birch-choked creek will taunt you if you get a late start, as the trail is open and shadeless for the first few miles. Continue up the canyon to reach an opening next to the creek, a good shady spot to take a break before continuing onward and upward. The trail switchbacks up a steep hillside to a tricky creek crossing, then ascends through a patch of fir and pines before coming back into the open again. A descent campsite can be found just off the trail to the left at about 4 miles. The trail crosses the creek several more times as you switchback up the rocky path to the pass. There is another fairly descent campsite on the east side of the pass amidst granite and a few gnarled Whitebark Pines. Climb a headwall to reach the pass at 6 ½ miles. The views from the pass is a Sierra masterpiece. To the east, look down into the Owens Valley and the Inyo Mountains beyond. To the west, beautiful Bench Lake with Arrow Peak behind it, and Cirque Crest to the right of Arrow Peak. Meadow camping can be found on the west side of the pass. After a mellow descent, reach a trail junction at 8 miles, the right fork leads to the John Muir Trail heading north, the left fork leads to the John Muir Trail heading south, and Bench Lake. Heading towards Bench Lake, reach the JMT at 10 ½ miles, and Bench Lake at 11 ½ miles. Good camping And trout fishing can be found here.
John Muir Wilderness - Topo Kings Canyon High Country - 15 minute - Topo Sequoia / Kings National Park - 15 minute - Topo Mt. Pinchot & Big Pine - 15 minute quads. - Topo Inyo National Forest - 60 minute
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