From Farewell Gap

California, United States, North America

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73.06% Score
3 Votes

Vandever Mountain
- Additional Parents
From Farewell Gap

Page Type:	Route
Lat/Lon:	36.39925°N / 118.57248°W
Route Type:	Hiking, Scrambling
Season:	Summer, Fall
Time Required:	Less than two hours
Difficulty:	Class 1-2
	Sign the Climber's Log!

Approach

Park at the Eagle Creek trailhead, at the end of Mineral King Road. But don't take the Eagle Creek trail. Instead, walk back along the road about a tenth of a mile and cross the bridge over the Kaweah River to get on the trail to Farewell Gap. There is also a use trail from the parking lot that crosses the river directly.

The view east from the summit.

Follow the trail south toward the obvious gap in the mountains. Farewell Gap is 2,800 feet higher and just 3.6 miles away from the trailhead, but the trail's many switchbacks make the walk 6.2 miles each way.

Route Description

Once at Farewell Gap, leave the trail, cross the gap, and climb the wide ridge to the west. There isn't much of a use trail, so just walk up the scree and small talus until you can't go any higher. That's all there is to it. The route is Class 1 on the smaller rocks, Class 2 on the larger rocks. From the gap to the summit, the ridge ascends 1,400 ft in 0.6 miles.

Essential Gear

In summer, comfortable hiking shoes and a rain jacket should be all you need.

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Bascuela - Oct 29, 2009 3:13 pm - Voted 10/10

Class 2 snow climb

Without a doubt this is class 2 with snow. Wind over the gap and along the East Ridge is pretty much guaranteed on a normal day. However, on a "windy" day winds along that ridge can run 30-50 mph! This can make for a painful climb. The constant wind also packs that snow like ice. Always bring crampons/ice axe with snow is present on the East Ridge. Have a windbreaker in the summer and for spring/fall climbs pack your down!