If you are northbound on the JMT and need to avoid the several difficult Mono Creek crossings, the detour is to swing out west toward VVR, then turn north and go over Goodale Pass. Soon that intersects with the JMT so that you can continue north.
The detour is about 5-8 miles longer, but there are no difficult crossings. There could be a steep snow pile on the north side of Goodale Pass. If a hiker missed a step there, it could be all over.
