The SW ridge is a choss pile, but Ladder lake is stunning! The route from Ladder Lake is simple enough with no real technical challenges. The lake at 12,000' is an awfully cold swim, even in mid-summer. Made it with Ben on his first Sierra peak. Not a bad one to start on!
Romain - Jun 14, 2020 2:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2020
SE Ridge
A day after Devils Crag #1. From Rambaud Creek drainage, over Henry Col, across the Ladder Lake drainage, to the SE ridge. Big day. Trip report.
bechtt - Sep 2, 2016 12:01 am Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2016
SE Ridge
First peak on the Black Divide trip with Tommey. Hauled the packs up to the crest from Ladder Lake, dropping them to climb McDuffie, and then followed Steve Eckert's route to Wheel before camping below Rambaud Pass (the lake is there!). Climbed Devils Crag before hiking back down and out the next morning. One heck of an adventure. BTW, the Ladder Lake drainage is so much nicer than Rambaud drainage. Pictures
seano - Aug 20, 2013 12:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2013
Traverse from Black Giant
Dayhike out of Sabrina Basin, which cost me a metacarpal. Photos.
I'd been wanting to spend a weekend in Ionian Basin for a couple years, and finally got my chance. After heading up Charybdis on the morning of day two, I cut over pass 12180 to reach the north ridge of McDuffie. The route finding was interesting, but every time I came to an impass a few moves up or down 20-30 feet kept me on track. At the end the broad chute was completely filled with icy snow, but some class 3 moves on the steep rib to the left made it easily bypassed. Really enjoyed this peak.
Hiked in from Sabrina Basin over Echo Col the day before and camped at Lake 11,828. Came from Charybdis and climbed the 3rd class western spur amid a minor bout of hail and rain before descending the northern ridge under the threat of a rather nasty looking storm to the east. Route finding along the northern ridge was a challenge.
Matthew Holliman - Aug 21, 2007 2:27 am Date Climbed: Jun 6, 2007
Dayhike from South Lake
Long dayhike with Bob and Rick. Very, very cold (in the 20s at South Lake when we started), with fresh snow in the morning, and again in the evening as well. I'd wanted to climb this one for a while--glad to finally tick it off...
Bob Burd - Jul 15, 2007 1:33 am Date Climbed: Jun 6, 2007
From Ladder Lake
With Matthew and Rick, this was one of the longest Sierra dayhikes I have done. Starting from South Lake, we did about 35mi and 10,000ft of gain. Dang. Trip Report
wmolland - Jul 16, 2022 10:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2022
From Ladder LakeThe SW ridge is a choss pile, but Ladder lake is stunning! The route from Ladder Lake is simple enough with no real technical challenges. The lake at 12,000' is an awfully cold swim, even in mid-summer. Made it with Ben on his first Sierra peak. Not a bad one to start on!
Romain - Jun 14, 2020 2:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2020
SE RidgeA day after Devils Crag #1. From Rambaud Creek drainage, over Henry Col, across the Ladder Lake drainage, to the SE ridge. Big day. Trip report.
bechtt - Sep 2, 2016 12:01 am Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2016
SE RidgeFirst peak on the Black Divide trip with Tommey. Hauled the packs up to the crest from Ladder Lake, dropping them to climb McDuffie, and then followed Steve Eckert's route to Wheel before camping below Rambaud Pass (the lake is there!). Climbed Devils Crag before hiking back down and out the next morning. One heck of an adventure. BTW, the Ladder Lake drainage is so much nicer than Rambaud drainage. Pictures
seano - Aug 20, 2013 12:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2013
Traverse from Black GiantDayhike out of Sabrina Basin, which cost me a metacarpal. Photos.
mrchad9 - Sep 6, 2011 2:47 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2011
North RidgeI'd been wanting to spend a weekend in Ionian Basin for a couple years, and finally got my chance. After heading up Charybdis on the morning of day two, I cut over pass 12180 to reach the north ridge of McDuffie. The route finding was interesting, but every time I came to an impass a few moves up or down 20-30 feet kept me on track. At the end the broad chute was completely filled with icy snow, but some class 3 moves on the steep rib to the left made it easily bypassed. Really enjoyed this peak.
lefty - Sep 20, 2009 11:58 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
Challenging route FindingFollowed the same route as mhengst and had similar issues on the descent of the North Ridge.
mhengst - Sep 15, 2009 12:06 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2009
Climbed Western Spur and Descended Northern RidgeHiked in from Sabrina Basin over Echo Col the day before and camped at Lake 11,828. Came from Charybdis and climbed the 3rd class western spur amid a minor bout of hail and rain before descending the northern ridge under the threat of a rather nasty looking storm to the east. Route finding along the northern ridge was a challenge.
Matthew Holliman - Aug 21, 2007 2:27 am Date Climbed: Jun 6, 2007
Dayhike from South LakeLong dayhike with Bob and Rick. Very, very cold (in the 20s at South Lake when we started), with fresh snow in the morning, and again in the evening as well. I'd wanted to climb this one for a while--glad to finally tick it off...
Bob Burd - Jul 15, 2007 1:33 am Date Climbed: Jun 6, 2007
From Ladder LakeWith Matthew and Rick, this was one of the longest Sierra dayhikes I have done. Starting from South Lake, we did about 35mi and 10,000ft of gain. Dang. Trip Report
Steve Larson - Nov 7, 2004 1:23 am
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August, 1978Climbed as part of a Sierra Club outing.