"With 1-2' of fresh snow in Tahoe, I went instead to the Southern Sierra to hike several HPS peaks in the Lake Isabella area. For Split and Black Mountains, I started from Alta Sierra since the gate at Greenhorn Summit was locked. This route goes through private property, but no one was around on this early spring day. The ridge from Cane Spring to Split was mostly snow-free, so the main challenge was weaving through the brush and avoiding the poodle dog bush. As other have pointed out, there's not much actual bushwhacking if you take care to follow the faint use trail. The climb up to Split from the final saddle follows a well-ducked route and is steep, scrambly, and fun. Excellent rocky summit with great views. Register dating to 1970. In contrast, heading up Black Mountain's north slope was a snow climb on mostly firm snow. Summit was in the clouds, so no views. Followed a steep ducked route down the west slope back to Black Mountain Saddle." — klotito • Mar 21, 2021

"Finally came back in conquered this along with Black Mountain. If you stop at Cane Spring there is a definite use trail all the way to the peak. However, near the ridge as it gets ready to dip to the saddle between the ridge and Split it gets incredibly overgrown. It also gets really easy to lose the ducked trail. If you descend to the saddle and lose the trail you will PAY. It is for sure a class 4 bushwhack if you make a mistake so take your time. There is indeed a use trail on that ridge to the saddle and back, its just hard to see. That being said its still pretty bushwhacky even if you stay on the HPS trail. Shorts are an absolute no. Your legs would get destroyed. The views are pretty decent but really the only reward on this peak is ending at KRBC." — Irrationalist • Oct 18, 2015

"This traverse kicked my ass. The route was overgrown with Buckthorn and just when you think you're almost there, the final gap drops a quick 500' only to have to regain it up more overgrown and steep slopes. That being said, the summit was one of the finest in recent memory with a view straight up the Kern River drainage and south to Lake Isabella." — Christopher • Feb 10, 2015