kleberr - May 31, 2023 12:26 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2022
Run up Southeast slope
Quick ascent via the southeast slope from Fordyce Lake. Crossing the creek is a bit tricky since the log is not that easy to find. Head upstream to get there! The climb is nice and easy - you can make it cl III if you want.
Ynotstr76 - May 29, 2022 4:48 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2022
Road is open!
The Fordyce Lake road is open. Was able to make it with a Subaru Crosstrek to the gap in the ridge. Would not recommend a sedan. There’s a big log on the easterly end of the river, so stay to the right as you descend. It’s before the curve where the river jogs north. A couple snow patches at the top. 2 1/2 hrs in each direction for me. 5 hrs total of hiking with a fun rest at the top. It was 62 degrees this day. Can’t imagine doing it on a hotter day.
I had eyed this peak from I 80 for years and finally summited. Definitely a fair amount of bushwack but the 3rd class pitches were worth it. Got snowed on coming down! Luckily we safely descended.
kaylam87 - Jul 4, 2017 11:29 am Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2016
Bear Poop
Little sleep the night before made me drag ass on this hike. The landscape here is very cool. Saw lots of bear poop.
Fairweather - Oct 25, 2015 11:15 am Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2015
NE Ridge
With meetup group.
Tom, Andy, Carmen, Mike and about 18 others.
This was Mikes 63rd and last OGUL peak.
Nice hike. Checked out some mines on the return.
mikepodshadley - Dec 13, 2014 4:09 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2005
From Phoenix Lake
I've climbed Old Man Mountain a couple times from Pheonix lake with my father who loves the area. Every summer he took me and many of my friends in Boy Scouts on 50 mile backpacking trips beginning at Donner summit and finishing in the eagle lakes area. Pheonix lake was always a stopping point and Old man mountain made for a great afternoon side hike. Many great mines on the way up, especially from the Fordyce creek side above Carlisle Mine, although I've never summited from that SE side. Great hike, can't wait to get back up there.
Hiked with Jerry Kohn up from Meadow Lake - only about 8.5 miles and a bit under 2,000 feet of gain for the round trip. Much easier route than the creek crossing and SE slope. Did Old Man in the AM then went over and did Lola/Lola North in the PM. Trip report is HERE
WayneFry - Oct 30, 2013 11:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2013
SE Slope from Fordyce Lk Rd
Team of seven. Climbed the southeast slope from the gap on Fordyce lake road. The river crossing was just a boulder hop and the ascent to the summit was fun class 3 scrambling. While on top we walked over to the north side to get a look at the north face. Impressive. Would like to come back and do a winter ascent someday.
ycbozo - Aug 29, 2013 7:59 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2004
birthday climb
Went up to the summit of Old Man Mtn with my two sons for my 53rd Bday. First time climbed mtn was in 1964. Started both times at Fordyce Dam. Had total hip replacement in 1985 so took my time this trip. I just love this mtn.
Super fun scrambly hike. I'm from NH and we have "The Old Man in the Mountain" as our state symbol so this was a fitting hike for me. Awesome views and fun climbing, also the mines are pretty cool, you can find huge chunks of pyrite "fools gold" in the tailings. P.S. there is a great swimming hole on fordyce creek about 1/4 mile downstream from where you end up at the bottom of the canyon. you can see it on your descent.
scoob - Aug 28, 2011 7:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2011
SE slope scramble
loving it. early morning solo. had to wade through fordyce creek, lots of water. air a little smokey in canyons. nice hike...
ckerth - Apr 14, 2011 8:09 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2011
South Slope
Started from Eagle Lakes Road, shortly after exiting Highway 80. All of the road was still deep under snow. Ran into a large black bear while dropping into Fordyce Creek. Managed to stumble across Carlisle Mine while climbing the south slope. There was enough snow to cross directly over the ~20ft mine cut into the earth. Fun climbing on the way to the summit.
Great peak with no official trails to the top. Lots of different and fun ways to climb it.
derbilly - Jun 9, 2008 3:31 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2008
Southeast Slope
Climbed Signal Pk and Old Man Mnt.
SpiceMan - Aug 23, 2007 8:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2007
Rocky Rock Ridge
Went with David. It was a good hike and took longer than expected because of the rocks. It was fun crossing Fordyce Creak (which should be a river) on a fallen over log. We made a really good cairn on top.
Matthew Holliman - Aug 21, 2007 2:15 am Date Climbed: Feb 2, 2007
Fun day
Excellent outing out of I-80 with Bob, climbing Black Buttes first, then heading over here. Very scenic area, especially for this part of the Sierra. Highly recommended winter outing.
Bob Burd - Aug 20, 2007 11:49 pm Date Climbed: Feb 2, 2007
Winter climb
Climbed with Matthew as a winter outing on snowshoes. Long Day. Trip Report
McCannster - Aug 20, 2007 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2007
Southeast Slope
Did the southeast slope of Old Man. Parked on Fordyce Lake Rd at the gap, descended into the valley, then ascended the class 3 all the way to the summit. Four miles and four hours. Fun hike.
kleberr - May 31, 2023 12:26 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2022
Run up Southeast slopeQuick ascent via the southeast slope from Fordyce Lake. Crossing the creek is a bit tricky since the log is not that easy to find. Head upstream to get there! The climb is nice and easy - you can make it cl III if you want.
Ynotstr76 - May 29, 2022 4:48 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2022
Road is open!The Fordyce Lake road is open. Was able to make it with a Subaru Crosstrek to the gap in the ridge. Would not recommend a sedan. There’s a big log on the easterly end of the river, so stay to the right as you descend. It’s before the curve where the river jogs north. A couple snow patches at the top. 2 1/2 hrs in each direction for me. 5 hrs total of hiking with a fun rest at the top. It was 62 degrees this day. Can’t imagine doing it on a hotter day.
viajero - Sep 14, 2019 9:01 am
Beautiful viewsI had eyed this peak from I 80 for years and finally summited. Definitely a fair amount of bushwack but the 3rd class pitches were worth it. Got snowed on coming down! Luckily we safely descended.
kaylam87 - Jul 4, 2017 11:29 am Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2016
Bear PoopLittle sleep the night before made me drag ass on this hike. The landscape here is very cool. Saw lots of bear poop.
Fairweather - Oct 25, 2015 11:15 am Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2015
NE RidgeWith meetup group.
Tom, Andy, Carmen, Mike and about 18 others.
This was Mikes 63rd and last OGUL peak.
Nice hike. Checked out some mines on the return.
mikepodshadley - Dec 13, 2014 4:09 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2005
From Phoenix LakeI've climbed Old Man Mountain a couple times from Pheonix lake with my father who loves the area. Every summer he took me and many of my friends in Boy Scouts on 50 mile backpacking trips beginning at Donner summit and finishing in the eagle lakes area. Pheonix lake was always a stopping point and Old man mountain made for a great afternoon side hike. Many great mines on the way up, especially from the Fordyce creek side above Carlisle Mine, although I've never summited from that SE side. Great hike, can't wait to get back up there.
trexkerry - Jul 27, 2014 2:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2014
NE RidgeHiked with Jerry Kohn up from Meadow Lake - only about 8.5 miles and a bit under 2,000 feet of gain for the round trip. Much easier route than the creek crossing and SE slope. Did Old Man in the AM then went over and did Lola/Lola North in the PM. Trip report is HERE
WayneFry - Oct 30, 2013 11:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2013
SE Slope from Fordyce Lk RdTeam of seven. Climbed the southeast slope from the gap on Fordyce lake road. The river crossing was just a boulder hop and the ascent to the summit was fun class 3 scrambling. While on top we walked over to the north side to get a look at the north face. Impressive. Would like to come back and do a winter ascent someday.
ycbozo - Aug 29, 2013 7:59 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2004
birthday climbWent up to the summit of Old Man Mtn with my two sons for my 53rd Bday. First time climbed mtn was in 1964. Started both times at Fordyce Dam. Had total hip replacement in 1985 so took my time this trip. I just love this mtn.
BCL - Sep 22, 2012 1:05 pm Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2012
From Fordyce SummitFrom Fordyce Summit with my Dad.
bigsuit - Jul 27, 2012 2:28 pm
Fordyce SummitSuper fun scrambly hike. I'm from NH and we have "The Old Man in the Mountain" as our state symbol so this was a fitting hike for me. Awesome views and fun climbing, also the mines are pretty cool, you can find huge chunks of pyrite "fools gold" in the tailings. P.S. there is a great swimming hole on fordyce creek about 1/4 mile downstream from where you end up at the bottom of the canyon. you can see it on your descent.
scoob - Aug 28, 2011 7:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2011
SE slope scrambleloving it. early morning solo. had to wade through fordyce creek, lots of water. air a little smokey in canyons. nice hike...
ckerth - Apr 14, 2011 8:09 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2011
South SlopeStarted from Eagle Lakes Road, shortly after exiting Highway 80. All of the road was still deep under snow. Ran into a large black bear while dropping into Fordyce Creek. Managed to stumble across Carlisle Mine while climbing the south slope. There was enough snow to cross directly over the ~20ft mine cut into the earth. Fun climbing on the way to the summit.
Darren9 - Nov 3, 2009 2:59 pm
Good stuffGreat peak with no official trails to the top. Lots of different and fun ways to climb it.
derbilly - Jun 9, 2008 3:31 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2008
Southeast SlopeClimbed Signal Pk and Old Man Mnt.
SpiceMan - Aug 23, 2007 8:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2007
Rocky Rock RidgeWent with David. It was a good hike and took longer than expected because of the rocks. It was fun crossing Fordyce Creak (which should be a river) on a fallen over log. We made a really good cairn on top.
Matthew Holliman - Aug 21, 2007 2:15 am Date Climbed: Feb 2, 2007
Fun dayExcellent outing out of I-80 with Bob, climbing Black Buttes first, then heading over here. Very scenic area, especially for this part of the Sierra. Highly recommended winter outing.
Bob Burd - Aug 20, 2007 11:49 pm Date Climbed: Feb 2, 2007
Winter climbClimbed with Matthew as a winter outing on snowshoes. Long Day. Trip Report
McCannster - Aug 20, 2007 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2007
Southeast SlopeDid the southeast slope of Old Man. Parked on Fordyce Lake Rd at the gap, descended into the valley, then ascended the class 3 all the way to the summit. Four miles and four hours. Fun hike.