Route Climbed: Trail from Wolverton Date Climbed: July 11, 2003
A nice dayhike with good views of the Great Western Divide. Got eaten alive by the mosquitos in the meadows though. There was a ferocious marmot at the summit that was rushing at people probably trying to scare them into dropping some food.
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: August 10th, 2003
Great hike!. Started at 6.30am and reached summit at 10.40am. There is just another guy at the summit. stayed about an hour at the summit and enjoyed the views. It was a perfect day for hiking.
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: November 9th, 2002
What a beautiful day to be climbing on! It was a day after the first big storm to hit northern california so the trail was covered in snow after the first two miles or so. We lost the trail shortly after the last trail sign (2.1 miles to the peak). With out the trail we ended up picking our own route up farther to the west. The view from the top (maybe a half a mile down the ridge) was awesome! We made the ridge by 1:45pm pm and were back in the parking lot by 4:15pm.
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: Late May 2002
This was a nice climb. There was still quite a bit of snow when, which probably made the route more interesting. Certainly, the glissade down the chute was a blast! I loved all the gnarled foxtail pines. The weather was mostly cloudy, so some of the summit’s sweeping view were limited.
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: August 18, 2002
We came in late Friday night, and had to check in at the Campground (Lodgepole) and proceeded to the trailhead. Along the way, we ran into a Momma bear and her cubs, a deer, and lots of lizards. We climbs until we could see the summit, but at 10,500 feet we were extremely exhausted!!!! We only had 0.5 miles to go, but nearly 800 feet in elevation to ascend. I would really like to do it again, and this time reach the top!!!
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: July 06, 2002
We camped at Mehrten Meadow for a night before going up to the summit of Alta Peak. With two streams flowing aside, Mehrten Meadow was a nice place to have a good meal, good night sleep, and sweet dreams for the next-day trip. On the way to the peak in the following morning, the awesome view definitely was worth of the sweats, and the full rest the night before just made the whole hike more relaxing, pleasant, and enjoyable. :) Beside the spectacular view seen from the summit, I especially loved the marmots -- they were just so funny and adorable!
Route Climbed: Up trail, down Pear Lake Date Climbed: July 29, 2002
Went up the trail from Wolverton to the summit. Very hazy due to fires and there were a ton of obnoxious bugs at the top. Went down a loose, class 2 gulley just west of the summit, and then class 2/3 down the cliffs to Pear Lake (snwburd went the hard way down the cliffs. Didn't sound like class 3 to me!). Back down the trail past Watch Tower to the car. Really nice day hike.
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: June 8, 2002
Another great day hike. Started at Wolverton (elev: 7250') and in about 3 miles or so you reach Panther Gap---good view of the Kaweah Canyon and Great Western Divide. The last 800 vertical feet there was sun-cupped snow. I must say the summit of Alta Peak provides excellent views. It is worth to do this hike.
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: 08-99
Nice peak! One of the highest on the western side of Sequoia NP. Did this hike as a day hike. The trail, from Wolverton to the summit, is about 8 miles one way. Don't remember how long it took me to do the route, but do remember the weather conditions distinctly! Very heavy thunderstorms moved in as I neared the upper slopes of the peak. I debated to turn back, however, I was so close, so I kept going. Made the summit in nearly zero visability! Bad part about it is that I decided to go ultralight weight for the hike, and only took a plastic rain poncho instead of the Gore-Tex! A very memorable experience, to say the least. Never saw the summit register that is supposed to be on top.......................Oh well, guess that's a reason to go back and do it again someday!
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: 28 October 2001
Very enjoyable dayhike on the day before the year's first big snowstorm. Saw nobody after Panther Gap, but had to rush from the summit at 2:30, because the time changed on this day, and we would lose sun before 5:30.
Rick Kent - Oct 9, 2003 3:21 pm
Route Climbed: Trail from Wolverton Date Climbed: July 11, 2003A nice dayhike with good views of the Great Western Divide. Got eaten alive by the mosquitos in the meadows though. There was a ferocious marmot at the summit that was rushing at people probably trying to scare them into dropping some food.
guna15 - Aug 11, 2003 5:37 pm
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: August 10th, 2003Great hike!. Started at 6.30am and reached summit at 10.40am. There is just another guy at the summit. stayed about an hour at the summit and enjoyed the views. It was a perfect day for hiking.
cartale - Jan 13, 2003 8:38 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: 10/15/01My first solo peak hike. I completed it in 8 1/2 hours. I am hooked for life!
mountaineer17 - Dec 1, 2002 3:21 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: Summer, 2001Great Climb, not very challenging, but beautiful scenery. Also, great view of the lakes and waterfalls.
kullaberg - Nov 28, 2002 9:25 am
Route Climbed: regular Date Climbed: apr 89first sierra peak.
jonathancamp - Nov 10, 2002 9:10 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: November 9th, 2002What a beautiful day to be climbing on! It was a day after the first big storm to hit northern california so the trail was covered in snow after the first two miles or so. We lost the trail shortly after the last trail sign (2.1 miles to the peak). With out the trail we ended up picking our own route up farther to the west. The view from the top (maybe a half a mile down the ridge) was awesome! We made the ridge by 1:45pm pm and were back in the parking lot by 4:15pm.
Dave K - Oct 31, 2002 1:12 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: Late May 2002This was a nice climb. There was still quite a bit of snow when, which probably made the route more interesting. Certainly, the glissade down the chute was a blast! I loved all the gnarled foxtail pines. The weather was mostly cloudy, so some of the summit’s sweeping view were limited.
butterflywings73 - Sep 8, 2002 7:55 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: August 18, 2002We came in late Friday night, and had to check in at the Campground (Lodgepole) and proceeded to the trailhead. Along the way, we ran into a Momma bear and her cubs, a deer, and lots of lizards. We climbs until we could see the summit, but at 10,500 feet we were extremely exhausted!!!! We only had 0.5 miles to go, but nearly 800 feet in elevation to ascend. I would really like to do it again, and this time reach the top!!!
muajee - Aug 10, 2002 8:04 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: July 06, 2002We camped at Mehrten Meadow for a night before going up to the summit of Alta Peak. With two streams flowing aside, Mehrten Meadow was a nice place to have a good meal, good night sleep, and sweet dreams for the next-day trip. On the way to the peak in the following morning, the awesome view definitely was worth of the sweats, and the full rest the night before just made the whole hike more relaxing, pleasant, and enjoyable. :) Beside the spectacular view seen from the summit, I especially loved the marmots -- they were just so funny and adorable!
Bob Burd - Jul 31, 2002 2:44 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail, return via Pear Lake Date Climbed: July 31, 2002Climbed with mconnell. Like he said, a nice day. I just wish I could have climbed that last 15 feet on Tharps Rock. :)
Trip Report
mconnell - Jul 31, 2002 1:01 pm
Route Climbed: Up trail, down Pear Lake Date Climbed: July 29, 2002Went up the trail from Wolverton to the summit. Very hazy due to fires and there were a ton of obnoxious bugs at the top. Went down a loose, class 2 gulley just west of the summit, and then class 2/3 down the cliffs to Pear Lake (snwburd went the hard way down the cliffs. Didn't sound like class 3 to me!). Back down the trail past Watch Tower to the car. Really nice day hike.
forjan - Jun 10, 2002 10:10 am
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: June 8, 2002Another great day hike. Started at Wolverton (elev: 7250') and in about 3 miles or so you reach Panther Gap---good view of the Kaweah Canyon and Great Western Divide. The last 800 vertical feet there was sun-cupped snow. I must say the summit of Alta Peak provides excellent views. It is worth to do this hike.
Dave Daly - May 18, 2002 6:10 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: Sept. 11 2001Nice views of the Tablelands, Mt. Silliman, Milestone Mountain and the Coppermine Pass. Fun jog, nice warm up.
synne.chadwick - May 18, 2002 5:51 am
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: August 2000Awesome peak. It is easy to do in a day, and the view from the summit is spectacular.
I wouldrecommend to hike it in the fall when there is less mosquitos in the forest....
darinchadwick - Mar 29, 2002 8:28 am
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: July 2000What a great hike. After so many east side climbs, a view from a western mountain felt like discovering a new range.
markman - Feb 2, 2002 8:17 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak ski trail Date Climbed: 1/92Spent the night near the summit. I'm a better climber than skier, so my skiing friends had more fun on the way down than did I.
dshoe - Dec 20, 2001 5:19 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: 08-99Nice peak! One of the highest on the western side of Sequoia NP. Did this hike as a day hike. The trail, from Wolverton to the summit, is about 8 miles one way. Don't remember how long it took me to do the route, but do remember the weather conditions distinctly! Very heavy thunderstorms moved in as I neared the upper slopes of the peak. I debated to turn back, however, I was so close, so I kept going. Made the summit in nearly zero visability! Bad part about it is that I decided to go ultralight weight for the hike, and only took a plastic rain poncho instead of the Gore-Tex! A very memorable experience, to say the least. Never saw the summit register that is supposed to be on top.......................Oh well, guess that's a reason to go back and do it again someday!
mpbro - Nov 7, 2001 6:23 pm
Route Climbed: Alta Peak Trail Date Climbed: 28 October 2001Very enjoyable dayhike on the day before the year's first big snowstorm. Saw nobody after Panther Gap, but had to rush from the summit at 2:30, because the time changed on this day, and we would lose sun before 5:30.
Morgan Brown's Alta Peak trip report