IronHiker - Jul 8, 2022 10:53 am Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2022
Day hike
Gorgeous hike. Went up the cow driveway, down the trail. Met a dozen thru hikers on the PCT, but no one on the other trails and no one else was on the summit. The scramble was not as hard as it looked from afar. Had really clear views of Langley and Whitney.
BobD3 - Oct 28, 2019 5:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2009
1st time above 12,000 ft.
First major summit climb in the Sierra. First SPS summit.
The foxtail pines at the upper elevations were stunning. The summit views were incredible.
davidmfreeland - Jul 4, 2019 12:31 am Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2019
Olancha Peak
Summit over a 3 day / 2 night trip, pack weight 34lbs hammock camping
Friday
Depart from trailhead 2.15pm
Difficult but not overly onerous to Olancha Pass, 5.1 miles
More pleasant walk along Summit Meadow to a makseshift campsite with fire ring adjacent to corral at the north end of the meadow by a small stream
Arrive at camp 6.25pm at 9,200'
Total for the day 6.4 miles 3,400' ascent
Saturday
Depart camp 8.15am with full packs
Hiked 5 miles dropped bags at 11.30am and began ascent
Attempted a more northerly route which turned out to be steeper than the typical one past climbers take. This was ill advised and ended up with several moments of high exposure scramble.
Summit at 2-2.40pm
Descent was via the typical route and went quickly with little exposure
Return back towards Meadow 3 miles w/full packs camp along the way at 9,700' arrive 5.30pm
Total for the day 10.3 miles 3,097' sum ascent 2,921' sum descent 2,410'
Sunday
Depart 9.25am
Arrive at pass 10.35am
Return to trailhead 12.50pm
Total for the day 8 miles 3,850 sum descent
Attempted from Sage Flat a few years ago but failed due to an unexpected snowstorm. This time I came in from Monache Meadows, which is an easier climb - the trailhead is appx 2,000' higher and 3 miles closer to the summit than Sage - but a much tougher drive. The last few miles are on the Monache 4x4 trail, which has some very rough spots - I managed to get through with my Subaru Outback but would not drive it again except in a real OHV.
There was water at only one spot - a small stream flowing across the PCT at about 9,700'. Note that you won't cross this if you come through Bear Trap Meadow.
On the return I was tempted to leave the PCT at 10,100' to shortcut down Monache Creek - it looked doable - but was deterred by gunshots from deer hunters below.
Ben FR - Jul 2, 2017 4:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2017
Beautiful conditions
Amazing, clear conditions. Virtually no snow on the PCT, and small patches on the scramble.
Romain - Nov 4, 2016 6:32 pm Date Climbed: Nov 2, 2016
West Slope in November
Nice trip in early November. Strong winds and cold temps in the morning, pleasant otherwise. Water was an issue but thanks to recent precipitation we were able to find a running trickle in a streambed below Bear Trap Meadow. Trip report
A group of 8 first-timers summited after a grueling climb with heavy packs to a campsite above 10,000'.
Water resupply was a significant challenge and will likely get much more difficult by next weekend unless it rains. For a two-day outing like ours, I recommend carrying at least 7 liters unless you're certain there will be resupply available (not likely that you could be certain though). I carried 6 liters, but it was not quite enough without resupply.
Water sources (all of which might be gone by next weekend):
1. Snow patches near the summit of Olancha Peak, mostly on the northwest slope
2. Spring near WA0722 at 36.23203, -118.12203 (this is the best source)
3. Stagnant spring filled with algae near WA0728 at 36.29629, -118.13047
jdmorehouse - May 26, 2015 1:36 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2015
Last Cool Day
The end of a cool spell, it rained the day I got to Sage Flat and snowed on the summit above. I ran into snow about 10,000' and it was pervasive from there to the summit. A 30% chance of snow showers were predicted, and when the clouds came in and obscured the peak, I got a little worried. It did snow some on the summit, but not a lot, although the clouds did obscure the views. I ran into a couple dozen PCT hikers, mostly coming through in ones or twos, all headed north. It was a fine day on the mountain.
Day hike with 2-12 inches of patchy snow above 9,000 feet as the main water source besides a disgusting trickle in Gomez Meadow. Snow is long gone now.
soslaw - May 10, 2014 10:23 pm Date Climbed: May 10, 2014
Via Sage Flats
Except for some isolated patches the trail is snow free. Downside there was only one water source about 1.5 miles north of the wrangler's camp bisecting the PCT and it won't last long.
mengbo - Mar 23, 2014 11:01 am Date Climbed: Mar 22, 2014
From Sage Flats
Day hike and it was a long day (13 hours round trip, 8 hours up and 5 hours down). Still snow here and there, had to break the trail and especially after reaching the pass.
Hiked in from Sage Flat the day before and camped at the PCT junction. There was no water on the mountain during our ascent so we wound up melting snow for drinking. The weather was impeccable and views from the top were all I heard them to be. Excellent summit day.
royanderson - Mar 9, 2013 10:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2009
Sage Flat
A quick unplanned trip with my brother Ed.
orbitor - Jan 28, 2013 4:59 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2012
From Sage Flat via PCT
This is a hard dayhike, but it's even harder when you drive from LA in the morning, summit, then drive back the same evening... The trail to Olancha Pass is so dusty, one in the group was coughing black phlegm for a week after. The summit scramble takes a lot of discipline, particularly when done late in the afternoon and on tired legs. Views to die for at the top.
seano - Oct 9, 2012 3:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2012
From Sage Flat
A nice, moderate day before the snow was supposed to arrive. Leaving the trail too soon added some work. Trip report.
cab - Jun 11, 2012 10:46 am Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2012
Sage Flat
Dayhike from Sage Flat. The trail starts out pretty sandy for the first 1.5 - 2 miles which makes for slow going, but it starts to improve above that. Perfect weather all day and a nice climb to the top which had great views. Didn't see a mosquito all day.
IronHiker - Jul 8, 2022 10:53 am Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2022
Day hikeGorgeous hike. Went up the cow driveway, down the trail. Met a dozen thru hikers on the PCT, but no one on the other trails and no one else was on the summit. The scramble was not as hard as it looked from afar. Had really clear views of Langley and Whitney.
https://ironhiker.blogspot.com/2022/06/olancha-peak.html
BobD3 - Oct 28, 2019 5:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2009
1st time above 12,000 ft.First major summit climb in the Sierra. First SPS summit.
The foxtail pines at the upper elevations were stunning. The summit views were incredible.
davidmfreeland - Jul 4, 2019 12:31 am Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2019
Olancha PeakSummit over a 3 day / 2 night trip, pack weight 34lbs hammock camping
Friday
Depart from trailhead 2.15pm
Difficult but not overly onerous to Olancha Pass, 5.1 miles
More pleasant walk along Summit Meadow to a makseshift campsite with fire ring adjacent to corral at the north end of the meadow by a small stream
Arrive at camp 6.25pm at 9,200'
Total for the day 6.4 miles 3,400' ascent
Saturday
Depart camp 8.15am with full packs
Hiked 5 miles dropped bags at 11.30am and began ascent
Attempted a more northerly route which turned out to be steeper than the typical one past climbers take. This was ill advised and ended up with several moments of high exposure scramble.
Summit at 2-2.40pm
Descent was via the typical route and went quickly with little exposure
Return back towards Meadow 3 miles w/full packs camp along the way at 9,700' arrive 5.30pm
Total for the day 10.3 miles 3,097' sum ascent 2,921' sum descent 2,410'
Sunday
Depart 9.25am
Arrive at pass 10.35am
Return to trailhead 12.50pm
Total for the day 8 miles 3,850 sum descent
LincolnB - Sep 30, 2018 12:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2018
From Monache MeadowsAttempted from Sage Flat a few years ago but failed due to an unexpected snowstorm. This time I came in from Monache Meadows, which is an easier climb - the trailhead is appx 2,000' higher and 3 miles closer to the summit than Sage - but a much tougher drive. The last few miles are on the Monache 4x4 trail, which has some very rough spots - I managed to get through with my Subaru Outback but would not drive it again except in a real OHV.
There was water at only one spot - a small stream flowing across the PCT at about 9,700'. Note that you won't cross this if you come through Bear Trap Meadow.
On the return I was tempted to leave the PCT at 10,100' to shortcut down Monache Creek - it looked doable - but was deterred by gunshots from deer hunters below.
xbaghat - Sep 4, 2018 10:06 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2018
thirty-two 3000prom...
Ben FR - Jul 2, 2017 4:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2017
Beautiful conditionsAmazing, clear conditions. Virtually no snow on the PCT, and small patches on the scramble.
Romain - Nov 4, 2016 6:32 pm Date Climbed: Nov 2, 2016
West Slope in NovemberNice trip in early November. Strong winds and cold temps in the morning, pleasant otherwise. Water was an issue but thanks to recent precipitation we were able to find a running trickle in a streambed below Bear Trap Meadow. Trip report
dpsiebert - Sep 5, 2016 11:51 pm
Sage FlatA beautiful fall hike.
ScottWhitneyBound - Jun 1, 2015 2:37 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2015
First TimeA group of 8 first-timers summited after a grueling climb with heavy packs to a campsite above 10,000'.
Water resupply was a significant challenge and will likely get much more difficult by next weekend unless it rains. For a two-day outing like ours, I recommend carrying at least 7 liters unless you're certain there will be resupply available (not likely that you could be certain though). I carried 6 liters, but it was not quite enough without resupply.
Water sources (all of which might be gone by next weekend):
1. Snow patches near the summit of Olancha Peak, mostly on the northwest slope
2. Spring near WA0722 at 36.23203, -118.12203 (this is the best source)
3. Stagnant spring filled with algae near WA0728 at 36.29629, -118.13047
jdmorehouse - May 26, 2015 1:36 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2015
Last Cool DayThe end of a cool spell, it rained the day I got to Sage Flat and snowed on the summit above. I ran into snow about 10,000' and it was pervasive from there to the summit. A 30% chance of snow showers were predicted, and when the clouds came in and obscured the peak, I got a little worried. It did snow some on the summit, but not a lot, although the clouds did obscure the views. I ran into a couple dozen PCT hikers, mostly coming through in ones or twos, all headed north. It was a fine day on the mountain.
colinr - Apr 18, 2015 5:28 pm Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2015
Sage Flat to Olancha Pass to PCTDay hike with 2-12 inches of patchy snow above 9,000 feet as the main water source besides a disgusting trickle in Gomez Meadow. Snow is long gone now.
brichardsson - Apr 15, 2015 6:34 pm Date Climbed: Apr 12, 2015
long trippct via olancha pass via sage flat.
soslaw - May 10, 2014 10:23 pm Date Climbed: May 10, 2014
Via Sage FlatsExcept for some isolated patches the trail is snow free. Downside there was only one water source about 1.5 miles north of the wrangler's camp bisecting the PCT and it won't last long.
mengbo - Mar 23, 2014 11:01 am Date Climbed: Mar 22, 2014
From Sage FlatsDay hike and it was a long day (13 hours round trip, 8 hours up and 5 hours down). Still snow here and there, had to break the trail and especially after reaching the pass.
theflyingmountaineer - Nov 17, 2013 4:08 am Date Climbed: Nov 10, 2013
Beautiful autumn summitHiked in from Sage Flat the day before and camped at the PCT junction. There was no water on the mountain during our ascent so we wound up melting snow for drinking. The weather was impeccable and views from the top were all I heard them to be. Excellent summit day.
royanderson - Mar 9, 2013 10:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2009
Sage FlatA quick unplanned trip with my brother Ed.
orbitor - Jan 28, 2013 4:59 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2012
From Sage Flat via PCTThis is a hard dayhike, but it's even harder when you drive from LA in the morning, summit, then drive back the same evening... The trail to Olancha Pass is so dusty, one in the group was coughing black phlegm for a week after. The summit scramble takes a lot of discipline, particularly when done late in the afternoon and on tired legs. Views to die for at the top.
seano - Oct 9, 2012 3:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2012
From Sage FlatA nice, moderate day before the snow was supposed to arrive. Leaving the trail too soon added some work. Trip report.
ScrambledLeggs - Sep 17, 2012 6:19 pm
PCT AscentI climbed Olancha during my 2012 thru hike.
cab - Jun 11, 2012 10:46 am Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2012
Sage FlatDayhike from Sage Flat. The trail starts out pretty sandy for the first 1.5 - 2 miles which makes for slow going, but it starts to improve above that. Perfect weather all day and a nice climb to the top which had great views. Didn't see a mosquito all day.