Adventure 008, Hike 032 - Potter Pass

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 008, Hike 032 – Potter Pass

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  July 8, 2012

Location: Huntington Lake

Hike Info:

Trail: Potter Pass Cutoff Trail

Distance: 4.0

Duration: 1:45

Elevation Rise: 1200'

Description:
There are three trails going to Potter Pass. The one we took-Thing One, Thing Two and our son, Steven--is called the Cutoff Trail, this originates just off of the Kaiser Pass Road, above Huntington Lake. The other two trails come from above this trail on Kaiser Pass Road—part of the California Hiking and Riding Trail--and from Sample Meadows on the other side of the ridge. We were coming back from a JMT food drop delivery at Edison Lake when we saw this trail and said why not?



The trail starts at 7,800' a little off of the Kaiser Pass Road. It goes up moderately for about a mile through a forest of mixed conifer forest or Jeffery pines and Red Fir. Then when we hit an unnamed creek, it takes off steeply, following the creek for a ways. After a climb of 800', we veer off towards the pass, passing mountain meadows. The actual approach to the pass circles



On top of Potter Pass at 8,990', looking northward, you see the drainage for the South Fork of the San Joaquin River, including the west side of Mr Ritter of the Minarets. This includes around Graveyard Peak and the areas directly across from us. You have to go down a couple hundred yards to get good views to the south. This view includes the China Peak ski resort.



The return trip is much faster than going up—it should be. The route is the just the reverse of going up.