Spent the second week of August playing around over Taboose Pass. We didn't get started until later in the morning on the first day (had to pick up permits) and made it to the campsite at about 10,400ft (the last one I knew of before the pass). It was my first time up Taboose and lets just say it's way over-hyped. I found it kind of enjoyable. The next day we went over to Bench where the fishing was terrific and the mosquitoes were deadly. Climbed Arrow Peak, and then the next day followed the Old JMT up to Cartridge Pass.
Our original plan was to go into Lake Basin but the snow on the north side of Cartridge forced a turn around (we decided against carrying crampons). It was marginal - we probably would have been okay but it was late in the day, the snow was shadowed and freezing up for the night, so we erred on the side of caution. We backtracked and camped that night at the big lake below the pass, deciding to head into Upper Basin the next day and climb Split. That we did - and it was nice to knock another 14er off the list.
Climbed split on an absolutely perfect day and had an excellent time fishing as well - one of those perfect Sierra days. Hiked out all the way from Lake 3535 to Taboose TH the next day (that was a slog....). Here are some pretty pictures and the full trip report is on my site.
Taboose TH to Bench
Arrow Peak
Old JMT to Cartridge Pass
Split Mtn
Arrow Pass
Climbing Arrow Peak
View from Arrow - one of my favorites. Check out that blue Bench Lake!
Arrow Summit reg
Rockslides along old JMT
Old trail to cartridge pass
Lake Basin. And Snow on the north side of cartridge. booo.
Lake 3535
The Polemonium on Split was awesome!
This definitely doesn't suck (Split summit)
Palisade crest
Stock train on taboose
Snow melt on taboose
