My husband and I backpacked the Baker/Johnson Lake Loop. After attaining the saddle between the lakes, we dropped our packs and hustled to the top because some dark clouds were moving our way. Made it from the saddle to the summit in about a half hour. Didn't see any register at the top, but there was a rock wall built to offer some relief from the wind.
jdmorehouse - Jun 17, 2013 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2013
Pyramid, Johnson, Baker and East Baker
After dropping our packs at Baker Lake, we went up to Pyramid. Weather was great, although intermittently windy. Originally all of us (a group of 8 from LVMC) were going to go up Johnson Peak as well, but in the end only I and one other made it to the 2nd summit. The register was from 1990 and placed there by the legendary Gordon McCleod and Barbara Lilley.
andrew david - Feb 17, 2013 3:33 pm Date Climbed: Nov 6, 2011
The Loop
Hiked the loop with just a day pack and was able to do it with Pyramid plus the peak across the pass in a wild day where a grey cloud swallowed me like a whale coming up over the ridge. Got only some views consequently. A nice trudge in winter with good variety over 13 miles and splendid fall colors. I went 36 hours at Great Basin without seeing another human being.
Took the detour up Pyramid in the morning after a night at Baker Lake. Peak was easy, descent to Johnson Lake was a little dicey due to lingering snow and wet slopes, but nothing too bad. The views of Washington and Lincoln really made me want to head down there someday.
PTMcG - Oct 30, 2010 8:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2010
Pyramid Peak
My wife Barb, daughter Ryan and son in law Eric drove the gravel road to the Johnson Lake TH. Pleasant hike into Johnson lake where we encountered solid snow from lake level up to the western saddle. We had no traction devices and Eric kicked some good steps vertically up the thread which each of us carefully followed, improving the "step ladder" as we went. We used a single trek pole as a front plant self belay for safety. The wind on the broad saddle was surprising calm but became ferocious as we moved higher up the western ridge toward the summit. I was blown over several times in mid step and again, used a single trek pole as a third downwind support leg to steady myself during roaring gusts. Happily on top, we could see the massive avalanche chutes, down to Baker Creek and also the east slopes, that we had seen from below a number of years earlier. Very dramatic and a lesson to be very careful on this mountain in winter and spring ascents. We love the great basin and this peak within that remote vastness. We also rock climbed on the "Diamond" later that week, apparently the first folks to have done that in some time.
Pyramid peak is a high recommend if you are ever in GBNP. Moreso than Wheeler in my opinion.
MoapaPk - Aug 17, 2008 11:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2008
Good-bye cabin
Dropped the packs at the Lake, and made a quick trip up Pyramid. I think the cabin may have been wiped out by an avalanche in 2004 or 2005.
This peak has become much more popular. Lots of 2008 entries, and I actually saw several people on top (from a distance) over two days.
Went down the ridge to the SW of Pyramid; granites, with a rough serrated edge in places. I was rewarded with a MacLeod-Lilley register that hadn't been signed for over 2 years.
Harlan, Susan Murphy and I went over that ridge (Johnson Peak) and saw your signature from '08. The last people to have been there before us was in '11.
lcarreau - Dec 7, 2007 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 1990
Pyramid from the north
Hiked up Baker Creek Trail to a place called Dieshman
Cabin, on the north side of Pyramid. Had to go X-country
across a large boulder field. The views were outstanding!
phydeux - Sep 27, 2007 12:23 am Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2007
Very "lonely" peak
Did this as part of a three day backpack that included summiting Baker Peak. Only two other parties had summited all year(!), and only 1 party in 2006(!!). Highly recommend the Baker/Johnson loop trail backpack for gorgeous, relatively untouched scenery, and great nightime stargazing!
cp0915 - Aug 20, 2007 10:45 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
East Ridge from Timber Creek
Fun loop. Ascended Pyramid's east ridge from Timber Creek. From the summit of Pyramid, I dropped down the northeast ridge, then went up to "False Pyramid" (11,456 ft). Descending False Pyramid's northeast ridge, I found the Baker Creek Trail, following it back to the truck.
My group combined this peak with Baker and Pyrimid Peak. We camped at Baker Lake. In the night a boulder came off the Wheeler Massiff and tumbled for what seemed like 10-12 seconds befor hitting the water on the other side of the lake. We thought that was the end of it, but the crashes turned into "SPLOOSHES AND SPLASHES," as it continued to move through the water toward our tent. Just at the point that I was jumping out of the sleeping bag and getting ready to run for my life, the boulder finally stopped. That was fifteen years ago and I still remember that incident with vivid recall.
boisedoc - Sep 12, 2006 5:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 1999
Good hike
Quick hike after touring the caves in the national park.
awhite28 - Jul 23, 2023 3:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2023
PyramidSaw 2 lovely muley bucks on the ascent
philadendron - Sep 18, 2020 2:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2020
From the lakeIncredibly windy day, otherwise a simple hike. Trail vanishes as you head up to the ridge, but it's easy to know where you're going. GPS tracks
jimegan - Jul 6, 2020 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2020
Pyramid PkClimbed with Kyle and Ritch from Mt Washington ridgewalk across Johnson and Quartzite peaks and back
jgreeneruns - Jul 12, 2015 6:57 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2015
5th AnniversaryMy husband and I backpacked the Baker/Johnson Lake Loop. After attaining the saddle between the lakes, we dropped our packs and hustled to the top because some dark clouds were moving our way. Made it from the saddle to the summit in about a half hour. Didn't see any register at the top, but there was a rock wall built to offer some relief from the wind.
jdmorehouse - Jun 17, 2013 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2013
Pyramid, Johnson, Baker and East BakerAfter dropping our packs at Baker Lake, we went up to Pyramid. Weather was great, although intermittently windy. Originally all of us (a group of 8 from LVMC) were going to go up Johnson Peak as well, but in the end only I and one other made it to the 2nd summit. The register was from 1990 and placed there by the legendary Gordon McCleod and Barbara Lilley.
andrew david - Feb 17, 2013 3:33 pm Date Climbed: Nov 6, 2011
The LoopHiked the loop with just a day pack and was able to do it with Pyramid plus the peak across the pass in a wild day where a grey cloud swallowed me like a whale coming up over the ridge. Got only some views consequently. A nice trudge in winter with good variety over 13 miles and splendid fall colors. I went 36 hours at Great Basin without seeing another human being.
jfrishmanIII - Jul 31, 2011 12:55 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2011
Backpacked the loopTook the detour up Pyramid in the morning after a night at Baker Lake. Peak was easy, descent to Johnson Lake was a little dicey due to lingering snow and wet slopes, but nothing too bad. The views of Washington and Lincoln really made me want to head down there someday.
PTMcG - Oct 30, 2010 8:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2010
Pyramid PeakMy wife Barb, daughter Ryan and son in law Eric drove the gravel road to the Johnson Lake TH. Pleasant hike into Johnson lake where we encountered solid snow from lake level up to the western saddle. We had no traction devices and Eric kicked some good steps vertically up the thread which each of us carefully followed, improving the "step ladder" as we went. We used a single trek pole as a front plant self belay for safety. The wind on the broad saddle was surprising calm but became ferocious as we moved higher up the western ridge toward the summit. I was blown over several times in mid step and again, used a single trek pole as a third downwind support leg to steady myself during roaring gusts. Happily on top, we could see the massive avalanche chutes, down to Baker Creek and also the east slopes, that we had seen from below a number of years earlier. Very dramatic and a lesson to be very careful on this mountain in winter and spring ascents. We love the great basin and this peak within that remote vastness. We also rock climbed on the "Diamond" later that week, apparently the first folks to have done that in some time.
Pyramid peak is a high recommend if you are ever in GBNP. Moreso than Wheeler in my opinion.
MoapaPk - Aug 17, 2008 11:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2008
Good-bye cabinDropped the packs at the Lake, and made a quick trip up Pyramid. I think the cabin may have been wiped out by an avalanche in 2004 or 2005.
This peak has become much more popular. Lots of 2008 entries, and I actually saw several people on top (from a distance) over two days.
Went down the ridge to the SW of Pyramid; granites, with a rough serrated edge in places. I was rewarded with a MacLeod-Lilley register that hadn't been signed for over 2 years.
jdmorehouse - Jun 17, 2013 2:07 pm
Re: Good-bye cabinHarlan, Susan Murphy and I went over that ridge (Johnson Peak) and saw your signature from '08. The last people to have been there before us was in '11.
lcarreau - Dec 7, 2007 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 1990
Pyramid from the northHiked up Baker Creek Trail to a place called Dieshman
Cabin, on the north side of Pyramid. Had to go X-country
across a large boulder field. The views were outstanding!
phydeux - Sep 27, 2007 12:23 am Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2007
Very "lonely" peakDid this as part of a three day backpack that included summiting Baker Peak. Only two other parties had summited all year(!), and only 1 party in 2006(!!). Highly recommend the Baker/Johnson loop trail backpack for gorgeous, relatively untouched scenery, and great nightime stargazing!
cp0915 - Aug 20, 2007 10:45 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
East Ridge from Timber CreekFun loop. Ascended Pyramid's east ridge from Timber Creek. From the summit of Pyramid, I dropped down the northeast ridge, then went up to "False Pyramid" (11,456 ft). Descending False Pyramid's northeast ridge, I found the Baker Creek Trail, following it back to the truck.
jtree - Jul 3, 2007 7:15 pm
From Baker LakeMy group combined this peak with Baker and Pyrimid Peak. We camped at Baker Lake. In the night a boulder came off the Wheeler Massiff and tumbled for what seemed like 10-12 seconds befor hitting the water on the other side of the lake. We thought that was the end of it, but the crashes turned into "SPLOOSHES AND SPLASHES," as it continued to move through the water toward our tent. Just at the point that I was jumping out of the sleeping bag and getting ready to run for my life, the boulder finally stopped. That was fifteen years ago and I still remember that incident with vivid recall.
boisedoc - Sep 12, 2006 5:03 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 1999
Good hikeQuick hike after touring the caves in the national park.
jjsochacki - Nov 22, 2005 9:12 pm
Route Climbed: SW Slope Date Climbed: 07/02/05Good climb with fantastic views of S. Snake Range.
Scott - Nov 22, 2005 9:02 pm
Nice summitGood peak