
Starting along the McGee Pass Trail.

Entering John Muir Wilderness.

Easy walking along the McGee Pass Trail for a few miles.

The trail slowly ascends through the valley.

A crossing of McGee Creek.

Mount Crocker visible on the horizon. The McGee Pass Trail parallels the creek and swamps along the way.

View back down the valley.

Another creek crossing before starting to ascend more steeply through the forest.

A junction, keeping right for foot traffic.

Pretty forest walking along the McGee Pass Trail.

Little cascades within McGee Creek.

Continuing through the forest.

Switchbacks constructed as the slope steepens.

View back down.

The trail navigates around cliffs within the McGee Creek drainage.

A sign pointing toward McGee Lake.

The trees thin out a bit, more views toward the surrounding peaks.

Looking back.

Approaching a meadow higher up, a bit before Big McGee Lake. The colors of the surrounding peaks are incredible around here.

The southern ridge of Mount Baldwin, gorgeous.

The McGee Pass Trail leads through a meadow.

View back through meadows.

This area was gorgeous.




Close-up of Red and White Mountain seen above.

Big McGee Lake. The McGee Pass Trail wraps around its north side.

View back toward Big McGee Lake.

The trail climbs up to the valley seen center.


View back toward Big McGee Lake.

Approaching Little McGee Lake (left), now entering the valley leading up to McGee Pass.

The trail leads through scree, and it is well-maintained.

View back toward Little McGee Lake.


Entering the bowl beneath McGee Pass Peak (out of frame top right).

I left the trail and headed up to McGee Pass Peak first.

Looking north from the saddle toward Bloody Mountain and Mount Baldwin.

View back toward the saddle and Red Slate Mountain, on my way up to McGee Pass Peak.

Class 2/3 along the ridgeline. McGee Pass Peak seen ahead.

I reached this point that seemed equally as tall as the one in the center. A sketchy Class 4 move was required to get to the other point, but I didn't have any interest.

Back at the saddle, heading up to Red Slate Mountain on a good social trail.

View back, McGee Pass Peak seen left. Red and White Mountain top right.

McGee Pass Peak close-up.

Class 2 up talus, higher up.

Another shot back down on my way up Red Slate Mountain. My ridgeline to Red and White Mountain seen right of center.

More Class 2.

Summit of Red Slate Mountain, view west.

Summit of Red Slate Mountain, close-up at the ridge to come, ending at Red and White Mountain.

Summit of Red Slate Mountain, view north.

From McGee Pass, I headed off-trail south up toward Peak 12418.

View back along the ridgeline. Red Slate Mountain left, McGee Pass Peak right.

Class 2 along the way.

Past Peak 12418's summit, it gets gnarlier. Class 2/3 loose stuff.

View back.

I left the crest at a point when it was too sketchy, keeping just below it. My goal is the saddle seen in the center, where the ridgeline is no longer annoying and loose.

Red and White Mountain ahead. There was a little dip in the ridgeline.

View back as I make my way up toward Red and white Mountain.

Approaching the base of Red and White Mountain. I kept left once I reached the steep crest outcropping ahead.

Just left of the crest.

View back at the initial Class 2/3.

Class 2/3.

View back down at more progress up the somewhat loose route up Red and White Mountain.

Some light Class 3 mixed in, but it's a steep scramble, so I went slowly.

View back as I near the summit.

Red and White Mountain ahead.

Red and White Mountain summit, view southeast.

Red and White Mountain summit, view north. McGee Pass Peak and Red Slate Mountain seen left.

Red and White Mountain summit, view southeast.

I backtracked and descended down to Little McGee Lake.

Little McGee Lake left, Big McGee Lake right.

A Class 2/3 obstacle on the way down.

View up at the descent route (right) and Red and White Mountain (left).
Hire me or show me some love!
Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!