6.7 hr
Overview
The trail to Fernandez Pass branches off the Lillian Lake Loop about 4.8 miles from the Fernandez Trailhead, near the top of a low rounded ridge.The trail signs point to Rutherford and Anne Lakes. You'll not see a sign for Fernandez Pass until the final fork before those lakes. <br><br>Leaving the Lillian Lake Loop, the trail climbs only about 300 feet over the first mile; however, this moderate climb is interrupted with short sections built with large rock steps where each step is about a foot high. After the first mile, the trail reaches the junction with the unmaintained Rainbow/Ruth Lakes trail.<br><br>This trail continues over and around a low rocky ridge and then drops slightly to Fernandez Creek and the junction with the Post Pass Trail. In mid-July 2019, the only way across the creek was to wade through knee-deep water. The entire area for about a mile was marshy and mosquito-infested. From the creek, the trail climbs gradually at first, and then more steeply to the Rutherford/Anne Lakes trails. Anne Lake has great campsites and Rutherford Lake is one of the more beautiful in the Sierras.<br><br>From this junction, it is another 1.6 miles and 700 feet in elevation to the top of the pass. There are great views of Mt. Ritter and the Minarets and across the giant basin surrounding Clover Meadow and on to the mountain ridges that extend across the entire eastern skyline.
Trail Stats
19.2 km
1149 m
3107 m
2146 m
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Photos
Meadow overflowing with Shooting Stars
Meadow overflowing with Shooting Stars
View from the trail looking towards the East & JMT
View from the trail looking towards the East & JMT