ABOVE: The second of the "Two Passes" is just above. From here it is a fairly easy climb, zig-zaging upward on shelves and sandy benches until you reach near the little clump of trees above and the top of the pass.
The "Two Passes"
After the mandatory break at Schoolmarm Lake, cross the outlet stream and head northwest following the cliff-top at a safe distance while picking out the easiest rout as you labor upward. Eventually you will crest this section at an altitude of about 11000 feet (the summit of one of the "Two Passes"), where a rest break will allow you to admire the tremendous view down Bench Valley and of the many lakes you have so recently traveled among. From this point you have two choices. You can head southwest down sandy benches and exposed granite to the meadow below, or traverse north until you find an easy route down to the meadow. From there, head to the lowpoint of a large granite dike directly to the west. At the top of the dike, take the time to get your bearings. Look to the north to Mt. Hutton, follow the shoulder to the left till you spot the low point of red cliffs on the ridge to the west: this is your next goal, and it is at this juncture where the real work begins. Do not be confused by the lower pass between points 11398 and 11075 to the southwest. Below and to the right of the correct pass you must cross, you will see a wooded shoulder topped with a green gully to the top of the ridge: walk towards this wooded area and make your way steeply upward until you are above the trees and on a relatively level granite area below the green gully. Begin a climbing traverse to your left (west) on granite benches and shelves to the red rocks of the pass. Patient route finding will gain you the summit of the pass at the point where the pass dips down and levels out at its north end of the level pass area.
