aknatn - Jun 24, 2009 12:52 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2009
So close to the top, yet so far
This was our first attempt this season and the snow proved to stop us just short of the summit. Beautiful views this time of the year and well worth it, just be ready for some slushy snow and slippery spots on the way. We were approx. 528 feet from the summit but the snow was too thin and we opted to stop rather than risking falling through a weak spot.
bechtt - May 28, 2009 11:52 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2009
Wolverton Trail
Nice easy climb with Gordon after driving up from LA. About 7 hours round trip with lunch. Amazing snow capped view up top.
Noondueler - Feb 3, 2009 1:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 10, 1996
Took trail from Wolverton
Fine views of the Great Western D.!
justing - Jan 27, 2009 3:27 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2008
Alta trail
Camped at the edge of the beautiful Alta meadow. Summited with great visibility -- could see Whitney. The views from the top makes me want to visit the Kaweahs.
selinunte01 - Dec 10, 2008 7:07 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2008
Alta Peak Trail and Lakes Trail
Great dayhike, starting from Wolverton via Panther Gap and Alta Peak Trail. Cloudy day with some thunderstorms in the High Sierra which - thank god - did not affect us. Descent from the summit via northeast ridge and down to Pear Lake with some class 2 / 3 scramble. We used the Lakes Trail from Pear Lake back to Wolverton.
Nefsek - Jul 28, 2008 1:17 am Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2007
Winter attempt
Attempted with basic mountaineering course back in December 07. Avalanche conditions were iffy, so we ended up summiting the peaklet right next to it. Still had some great views.
I went with you on that trip in December. My roommate and I are heading back up toward Alta Peak Thanksgiving weekend for a few days. We're getting ready for a Rainier trip that we scheduled through RMI in March. Let me know if you are around that weekend...
Michael Graupe - Jul 28, 2008 12:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2008
From Wolverton via Panther Gap
Easy half day walk. Saw two bear cubs climbing around on a tree. I did wonder where mama bear was though. Views weren't great since it was so smokey.
WyoNative - Jul 7, 2008 1:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
Perfect
weather, although the last mile or so sucked--it seemed like it was straight up......Really nice hike overall, though.
Dunedain - Jun 13, 2008 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2006
Round trip to Pear Lake
Three of us did Alta Peak from the the alta peak trail and then down the scree to Pear Lake. Took a dip in the lake and hiked back out via the Lakes trail. Long day, but really worth it!
mdougherty - Apr 22, 2008 2:24 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2007
Via Alta Meadow
Fun backpack to Alta Meadow with a Sierra Club group, then straight up to the peak.
lcarreau - Dec 8, 2007 9:17 pm Date Climbed: May 20, 1996
Alta vista Peak view
Lots of snow on the trail in May. Requires route-finding
skills , especially if you continue to Moose Lake. I
would recommend a person to continue on to Moose Lake.
Allow plenty of time, and you won't be disappointed.
If the marmots find your sandwich, they won't be disappointed,
either!!!
catullus - Nov 25, 2007 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Nov 22, 2007
turkey day on alta peak
Led group of five (peter, pi-chuan, amanda, brad, and me) via pear lake with Stanford's Redwood Outdoors Club. Had thanksgiving dinner at pear lake (including freeze-dried turkey meals!). Just enough snow to make punching through in between boulders annoying.
EastcoastMike - Sep 12, 2007 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2006
Nice walk!
The trail was a little crowded, but nice.
HikingBoots - Sep 7, 2007 2:02 am Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2004
Had to turn around
Started off as a solo hike, then had to turn around with the top of the peak in near sight due to thunderstorm approaching.
justinjohnsen - Sep 5, 2007 1:37 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2007
Chute up from the NE
Continued a two-day cross-country trek from Mount Silliman, by way of the lower Tablelands, where there was a horde of miniature grasshoppers. After dropping down into the Kaweah valley to camp, it was up by lake-hopping to a ridge east of Pear Lake.
We followed the standard route southwest past the cliffs above Pear, then took a "shortcut" up a slippery class 2, maybe easy 3, chute on the north face of Alta's nearest northeast neighbor. Another stunning set of views, although a pack of persistent bumblebees drove us off the summit after lunch.
An option we scouted, but didn't try, was the ridge traverse from "Winter Alta" to Alta itself. On the west side of the col from Winter Alta south to an unnamed peak, my climbing buddy spied an easy green (grassy) chute leading up. Looking back from Alta's summit, the ridge traverse looked like a straightforward boulder scramble.
CookieMonster - Jul 20, 2007 1:04 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2006
My Once Per Year Group Climb
Late start + big sea level group = 8:30PM exit. Had fun camping at Lodgepole the prior night but nearly froze when the temperature dropped into the 20s. We started around 11AM and reached the summit at 4:30PM. Amazing view! This is one of the best day hikes in the area.
I came back for the Hump Trail to Pear Lake in July, 2007. Lots of backpackers (including a guy carrying a dufflebag in his arms) underestimated "The Hump," so be prepared. Will be back for an ascent of Alta from Pear Lake.
kwag - Jun 22, 2007 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2007
What a view!
Camped overnight at Muhrten(spelling?) Meadow. Next morning we climbed up to the top, the first people in our group saw a black bear. Great views, good trail. Lots of little annoying bugs and such on the top. Great views, fun summer trip.
aknatn - Jun 24, 2009 12:52 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2009
So close to the top, yet so farThis was our first attempt this season and the snow proved to stop us just short of the summit. Beautiful views this time of the year and well worth it, just be ready for some slushy snow and slippery spots on the way. We were approx. 528 feet from the summit but the snow was too thin and we opted to stop rather than risking falling through a weak spot.
bechtt - May 28, 2009 11:52 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2009
Wolverton TrailNice easy climb with Gordon after driving up from LA. About 7 hours round trip with lunch. Amazing snow capped view up top.
Bascuela - Apr 7, 2009 4:01 am
What a view!Got to love the view from Alta Peak!
Noondueler - Feb 3, 2009 1:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 10, 1996
Took trail from WolvertonFine views of the Great Western D.!
justing - Jan 27, 2009 3:27 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2008
Alta trailCamped at the edge of the beautiful Alta meadow. Summited with great visibility -- could see Whitney. The views from the top makes me want to visit the Kaweahs.
selinunte01 - Dec 10, 2008 7:07 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2008
Alta Peak Trail and Lakes TrailGreat dayhike, starting from Wolverton via Panther Gap and Alta Peak Trail. Cloudy day with some thunderstorms in the High Sierra which - thank god - did not affect us. Descent from the summit via northeast ridge and down to Pear Lake with some class 2 / 3 scramble. We used the Lakes Trail from Pear Lake back to Wolverton.
dpsiebert - Aug 22, 2008 6:05 am
Alta Peak TrailFun backpacking trip with a good group.
Nefsek - Jul 28, 2008 1:17 am Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2007
Winter attemptAttempted with basic mountaineering course back in December 07. Avalanche conditions were iffy, so we ended up summiting the peaklet right next to it. Still had some great views.
itpimps - Oct 16, 2008 6:09 pm
Re: Winter attemptI went with you on that trip in December. My roommate and I are heading back up toward Alta Peak Thanksgiving weekend for a few days. We're getting ready for a Rainier trip that we scheduled through RMI in March. Let me know if you are around that weekend...
Michael Graupe - Jul 28, 2008 12:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2008
From Wolverton via Panther GapEasy half day walk. Saw two bear cubs climbing around on a tree. I did wonder where mama bear was though. Views weren't great since it was so smokey.
WyoNative - Jul 7, 2008 1:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2008
Perfectweather, although the last mile or so sucked--it seemed like it was straight up......Really nice hike overall, though.
Dunedain - Jun 13, 2008 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2006
Round trip to Pear LakeThree of us did Alta Peak from the the alta peak trail and then down the scree to Pear Lake. Took a dip in the lake and hiked back out via the Lakes trail. Long day, but really worth it!
mdougherty - Apr 22, 2008 2:24 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2007
Via Alta MeadowFun backpack to Alta Meadow with a Sierra Club group, then straight up to the peak.
lcarreau - Dec 8, 2007 9:17 pm Date Climbed: May 20, 1996
Alta vista Peak viewLots of snow on the trail in May. Requires route-finding
skills , especially if you continue to Moose Lake. I
would recommend a person to continue on to Moose Lake.
Allow plenty of time, and you won't be disappointed.
If the marmots find your sandwich, they won't be disappointed,
either!!!
catullus - Nov 25, 2007 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Nov 22, 2007
turkey day on alta peakLed group of five (peter, pi-chuan, amanda, brad, and me) via pear lake with Stanford's Redwood Outdoors Club. Had thanksgiving dinner at pear lake (including freeze-dried turkey meals!). Just enough snow to make punching through in between boulders annoying.
EastcoastMike - Sep 12, 2007 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2006
Nice walk!The trail was a little crowded, but nice.
HikingBoots - Sep 7, 2007 2:02 am Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2004
Had to turn aroundStarted off as a solo hike, then had to turn around with the top of the peak in near sight due to thunderstorm approaching.
justinjohnsen - Sep 5, 2007 1:37 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2007
Chute up from the NEContinued a two-day cross-country trek from Mount Silliman, by way of the lower Tablelands, where there was a horde of miniature grasshoppers. After dropping down into the Kaweah valley to camp, it was up by lake-hopping to a ridge east of Pear Lake.
We followed the standard route southwest past the cliffs above Pear, then took a "shortcut" up a slippery class 2, maybe easy 3, chute on the north face of Alta's nearest northeast neighbor. Another stunning set of views, although a pack of persistent bumblebees drove us off the summit after lunch.
An option we scouted, but didn't try, was the ridge traverse from "Winter Alta" to Alta itself. On the west side of the col from Winter Alta south to an unnamed peak, my climbing buddy spied an easy green (grassy) chute leading up. Looking back from Alta's summit, the ridge traverse looked like a straightforward boulder scramble.
CookieMonster - Jul 20, 2007 1:04 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2006
My Once Per Year Group ClimbLate start + big sea level group = 8:30PM exit. Had fun camping at Lodgepole the prior night but nearly froze when the temperature dropped into the 20s. We started around 11AM and reached the summit at 4:30PM. Amazing view! This is one of the best day hikes in the area.
I came back for the Hump Trail to Pear Lake in July, 2007. Lots of backpackers (including a guy carrying a dufflebag in his arms) underestimated "The Hump," so be prepared. Will be back for an ascent of Alta from Pear Lake.
kwag - Jun 22, 2007 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2007
What a view!Camped overnight at Muhrten(spelling?) Meadow. Next morning we climbed up to the top, the first people in our group saw a black bear. Great views, good trail. Lots of little annoying bugs and such on the top. Great views, fun summer trip.