colingregory - Jul 7, 2021 8:44 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2021
Backpack
Day 2 of a 3 day backpack trip. Been looking at Tower Peak for years and years. A particularly fond memory is on day 16 of the JMT when we crested Donohue Pass and Tower was one of the first things I noticed, even though it was quite a ways away. Very happy to have finally summited TP, the final 100' class 3 climb is very fun both up and down!
LincolnB - Oct 17, 2020 6:19 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 2020
Long approach
Took me 22 hours of hiking time over three days, even though I used the shortcuts described by Romain and Burd. But still a popular peak - the Las Vegas Mountaineers Club left a notebook just two months ago and it already has a dozen entries
Will Newcomb - Aug 14, 2018 6:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2018
NW Chute
Part of a three day excursion into the Hoover Wilderness.
BobD3 - Aug 18, 2017 8:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2017
North Ridge
From the outlet of Tower Lake, followed the north ridge directly up bypassing Tower Pass completely. Only had to break out the ax twice to get over 2 very short sections, maybe 25-40 ft. or so. The upper snowfield was bypassed on the right on class 2-3 rock. Then back up to the north ridge and to the summit via the standard route.
I would recommend this variation, There's some great views of the Watchtower that would be missed if climbing the standard route from Tower Lake to Tower Pass.
Day 3 of the North Yosemite peak bagging trip with Tommey. We had moved our camp from Seavey Pass to the head of Kerrick Meadows before day hiking over two passes to attack Tower from the east. A lot of snow still.
colinr - Aug 24, 2015 1:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2015
Scenic
Summitted via Mono Village route passing over parts of Cirque Peak-Center Mtn.-Hawksbeak-Upper Walker Headwaters-Watchtower-N.Ridge of Tower. Scenic. Due to an accident, the trip out became unexpectedly arduous.
cdog - Aug 22, 2015 7:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2015
summer vacay
Fun climb with friends Mark & Tim, from our base camp at Tower Lake. Despite the many wildfires going we lucked out with clear, beautiful skies.
We hiked in from the Buckeye trail, crossing the stream several times. The trail was lost from time to time because of the numerous cow paths. Despite the note on the Summitpost page about this trail, don't drink the water until you're away from the meadows and well off the trail. We called this route the House of Pies for obvious reasons. We left the trail at a saddle and climbed to higher ground and went up the sandy slope of Hawksbeak before descending to the Rainbow Canyon lakes. Nice spot, but the mosquitoes were ravenous. The next day we climbed Tower Peak and traversed along the ridge connecting to Ehrenbeck. Climbing Ehrenbeck from this side is not trivial, btw. Be forewarned.
SchwartzOn - May 23, 2015 9:28 pm Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2013
NW Chute
Got to Tower Lake after dark and climbed this before the sun came up. April was tough- snow flurries and snowed in passes made the peak that much less accessible. Strait forward climbing and a fun descent back to Dorothy. The yellow legged mountain frog comes out of hibernation in April-May, and the trip was more about finding tadpoles than climbing.
mengbo - Oct 9, 2014 12:53 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2014
With a team of seven we climbed the steep narrow snow chute next to Watchtower to gain the saddle. We had so much fun we decided to call it the "Piute Chute". From there we scrambled up the north ridge, traversed into the staircase chute, and made our way to the summit.
craig512 - Aug 2, 2013 12:23 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2012
Great climb
This was definitely the easiest of the mountaineers peaks I've climbed thus far, but certainly worth it. We had a group of about 6 and camped just above Upper Piute Meadow. The trail above said meadow has an unbelievable amount of trees fallen down. So much so that you can't even find your way and you literally hop from one downed tree to the other as you try and gain elevation. I'm assuming this was caused by a major downburst in winter when everything was brittle.
The trees reported by craig512 from his trip last year are all cleared off the trail, so it is now completely clear. Thanks Mr. Ranger for your hard work with the chainsaw!
A long, long hike in the woods. It's a bit disappointing to see the cool-looking tower, then realize that it is not Tower, but the views were new and impressive. Trip report.
mrchad9 - Sep 26, 2011 11:42 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
Camped at Tower Lake and climbed the following morning. Nice views from the summit.
David Naylor - Jul 31, 2010 4:31 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2009
From Lake Helen
On 4 day loop trip through Emigrant & Hoover Wilderness and N.W. corner of Yosemite. Camped at Lake Helen and came over the ridge that separates Lake Helen from Tower Lake. Nice route if you want to bag Tower Peak while backpacking from Leavitt Lake. I did not have time to summit unfortunately but now know this is a good alternative to the Leavitt Meadows approach. Crystal clear views on this day!
haishan - Sep 27, 2009 7:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2003
North ridge
Stick to crest of ridge as much as possible; a fine mountain in fairly remote location. Hiked in from Leavitt Lake around nightfall, the best part of this solo hike was the fresh fish dinner and pleasant conversation I was treated to by a nice family whose campsite I stumbled across at dark.
xharv - Aug 29, 2009 1:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2009
Tower Peak Repeat
This was a two-day trip from Bay Area, with a one-night base camp at Tower Lake. This late in the summer, the snow field above the lake was reduced to a narrow band towards the top of the pass, and easily bypassed on the right (west) side. Similarly, one could avoid a large snow field on the northwest face of Tower by reaching the north ridge to the left (north) of it. Follow the ridge towards the peak for as long as it is an easy class-2, then traverse to the northwest chute, and after some simple class-3 moves on a firm rock in the upper part of the chute reach the summit. It took about 2 hours and twenty minutes to get to the top from Tower Lake, with plenty of rest along the way. About 30 people signed up the register at the top this summer. The first climb this year was recorded on June 27. Brief trip report.
colingregory - Jul 7, 2021 8:44 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2021
BackpackDay 2 of a 3 day backpack trip. Been looking at Tower Peak for years and years. A particularly fond memory is on day 16 of the JMT when we crested Donohue Pass and Tower was one of the first things I noticed, even though it was quite a ways away. Very happy to have finally summited TP, the final 100' class 3 climb is very fun both up and down!
LincolnB - Oct 17, 2020 6:19 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 2020
Long approachTook me 22 hours of hiking time over three days, even though I used the shortcuts described by Romain and Burd. But still a popular peak - the Las Vegas Mountaineers Club left a notebook just two months ago and it already has a dozen entries
Romain - Sep 27, 2020 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2020
NW Chute from Tower lakeTrip report
Will Newcomb - Aug 14, 2018 6:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2018
NW ChutePart of a three day excursion into the Hoover Wilderness.
BobD3 - Aug 18, 2017 8:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2017
North RidgeFrom the outlet of Tower Lake, followed the north ridge directly up bypassing Tower Pass completely. Only had to break out the ax twice to get over 2 very short sections, maybe 25-40 ft. or so. The upper snowfield was bypassed on the right on class 2-3 rock. Then back up to the north ridge and to the summit via the standard route.
I would recommend this variation, There's some great views of the Watchtower that would be missed if climbing the standard route from Tower Lake to Tower Pass.
bechtt - Jul 17, 2016 9:47 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2016
NE Bowl to N RidgeDay 3 of the North Yosemite peak bagging trip with Tommey. We had moved our camp from Seavey Pass to the head of Kerrick Meadows before day hiking over two passes to attack Tower from the east. A lot of snow still.
colinr - Aug 24, 2015 1:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2015
ScenicSummitted via Mono Village route passing over parts of Cirque Peak-Center Mtn.-Hawksbeak-Upper Walker Headwaters-Watchtower-N.Ridge of Tower. Scenic. Due to an accident, the trip out became unexpectedly arduous.
cdog - Aug 22, 2015 7:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2015
summer vacayFun climb with friends Mark & Tim, from our base camp at Tower Lake. Despite the many wildfires going we lucked out with clear, beautiful skies.
jdmorehouse - Jul 27, 2015 9:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2015
The House of PiesWe hiked in from the Buckeye trail, crossing the stream several times. The trail was lost from time to time because of the numerous cow paths. Despite the note on the Summitpost page about this trail, don't drink the water until you're away from the meadows and well off the trail. We called this route the House of Pies for obvious reasons. We left the trail at a saddle and climbed to higher ground and went up the sandy slope of Hawksbeak before descending to the Rainbow Canyon lakes. Nice spot, but the mosquitoes were ravenous. The next day we climbed Tower Peak and traversed along the ridge connecting to Ehrenbeck. Climbing Ehrenbeck from this side is not trivial, btw. Be forewarned.
SchwartzOn - May 23, 2015 9:28 pm Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2013
NW ChuteGot to Tower Lake after dark and climbed this before the sun came up. April was tough- snow flurries and snowed in passes made the peak that much less accessible. Strait forward climbing and a fun descent back to Dorothy. The yellow legged mountain frog comes out of hibernation in April-May, and the trip was more about finding tadpoles than climbing.
mengbo - Oct 9, 2014 12:53 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2014
solo day hikeday hike, car to car: 16 hours.
WayneFry - Jul 24, 2014 11:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2014
Tower via the Piute ChuteWith a team of seven we climbed the steep narrow snow chute next to Watchtower to gain the saddle. We had so much fun we decided to call it the "Piute Chute". From there we scrambled up the north ridge, traversed into the staircase chute, and made our way to the summit.
craig512 - Aug 2, 2013 12:23 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2012
Great climbThis was definitely the easiest of the mountaineers peaks I've climbed thus far, but certainly worth it. We had a group of about 6 and camped just above Upper Piute Meadow. The trail above said meadow has an unbelievable amount of trees fallen down. So much so that you can't even find your way and you literally hop from one downed tree to the other as you try and gain elevation. I'm assuming this was caused by a major downburst in winter when everything was brittle.
plumeria - Sep 26, 2013 3:39 am
Re: Great climbThe trees reported by craig512 from his trip last year are all cleared off the trail, so it is now completely clear. Thanks Mr. Ranger for your hard work with the chainsaw!
seano - Sep 30, 2012 3:08 pm Date Climbed: Sep 28, 2012
From Leavitt MeadowsA long, long hike in the woods. It's a bit disappointing to see the cool-looking tower, then realize that it is not Tower, but the views were new and impressive. Trip report.
mrchad9 - Sep 26, 2011 11:42 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
NW ChuteNice views and a nice looking peak.
ckerth - Sep 15, 2010 2:24 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2010
NW ChuteCamped at Tower Lake and climbed the following morning. Nice views from the summit.
David Naylor - Jul 31, 2010 4:31 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2009
From Lake HelenOn 4 day loop trip through Emigrant & Hoover Wilderness and N.W. corner of Yosemite. Camped at Lake Helen and came over the ridge that separates Lake Helen from Tower Lake. Nice route if you want to bag Tower Peak while backpacking from Leavitt Lake. I did not have time to summit unfortunately but now know this is a good alternative to the Leavitt Meadows approach. Crystal clear views on this day!
haishan - Sep 27, 2009 7:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2003
North ridgeStick to crest of ridge as much as possible; a fine mountain in fairly remote location. Hiked in from Leavitt Lake around nightfall, the best part of this solo hike was the fresh fish dinner and pleasant conversation I was treated to by a nice family whose campsite I stumbled across at dark.
xharv - Aug 29, 2009 1:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2009
Tower Peak RepeatThis was a two-day trip from Bay Area, with a one-night base camp at Tower Lake. This late in the summer, the snow field above the lake was reduced to a narrow band towards the top of the pass, and easily bypassed on the right (west) side. Similarly, one could avoid a large snow field on the northwest face of Tower by reaching the north ridge to the left (north) of it. Follow the ridge towards the peak for as long as it is an easy class-2, then traverse to the northwest chute, and after some simple class-3 moves on a firm rock in the upper part of the chute reach the summit. It took about 2 hours and twenty minutes to get to the top from Tower Lake, with plenty of rest along the way. About 30 people signed up the register at the top this summer. The first climb this year was recorded on June 27. Brief trip report.