Climbing Treasure Peak’s Northwest Ridge was such a great half-day objective. The hiking was pleasant, the views spectacular, and the summit climb was engaging and fun. We snuck this in during thunderstorm season, so we got a pre-dawn start. But that wouldn’t be necessary if the weather is good.
3rd Class, Summit 12,995ft, mileage varies depending on route
Onion Valley out of Independence CA
You have the option to make this a climb into a circle. I chose a counterclockwise circle heading to Dragon Peak first, traversing to Gould and then dropping down to Kearsarge pass to hike back to the trail head.
To reach Dragon Peak from the east you start out on Kearsarge pass trailhead but promptly veer right onto golden trout lakes/dragon pass trailhead. While an official trail, expect to focus on navigation at times, as you make your way to the dragon basin. Sections have been damaged by erosion and flooding. Once you gain the upper lakes you will be rewarded by great views. Dragon peak and Dragon tooth are both very striking and worthy of their names. You can read about my ascent up dragon tooth HERE.
This is a little quick report on a backcountry scramble up Hurd Peak.
The trail starts out of South Lake in Bishop CA.
If you have ever been at south lake before Hurd Peak is likely the first mountain your eyes will be drawn to. It poses a striking presence at the back end of South Lake and dominates a lot of the skyline from this vantage point. The hike begins out of south lake proper. You will eventually take a trail spur towards treasure lake. Hurd peak is in view for much of this approach and when you decide to turn off cross country towards the peak is really individual preference.
Northeast Ridge, class III
This is just a quick trip report on Red and White Mountain. It’s located way back in the McGee Creek drainage. While this peak can totally be done in a day it was very pleasant to have a base camp.
This outing brought all smiles! Petite Griffon is a striking pinnacle nestled between Mount Abbot and Mount Mills. I am always willing to hike far for routes with good names or striking lines and this was no exception. My GPS reported a little over 11 miles roundtrip for 2 pitches of climbing. #Worthit
This is a scramble right out of McGee Creek. I parked the car a little before the pack station. There is no trail, but navigation is straight forward – just go up the ridgeline. The first (and only crux) was finding a way across the creek. We ended up wading across. The water was a little above the ankles and fast-moving. I wouldn’t want to wade across if it was any higher.
Last week my partner and I took advantage of a cold snap to climb Checkered Demon Couloir. Checkered demon peak is on the Bishop skyline and the couloir is hidden on the right side. It had been on our list for a few years. Chasing snow & ice in the Sierra Nevada is an ephemeral hobby.
My trip into the Palisades in the California Sierra involved a very BIG day of almost none stop movement. Sometimes you plan these days out well in advance, sometimes it’s a spur of the moment trip. As we packed, I grabbed some easy win trail snacks.