Pinnacle #10

Overview

Depending on how one counts the Kearsarge Pinnacles, Pinnacle #10 is either the second- or third-highest. My GPS device gave me an elevation of 11,957'. The only other source I've found for the peak elevation (it is not given on topo maps) gave 11,956'. I do not know if that, too, is by a personal GPS device or by some other more official determination.

Pinnacle #10 is best accessed the same way #9 is, but it is more difficult to climb. A bit of route-finding in order to stay off Class 5 terrain is involved, and there are sections of solid Class 3, even verging on Class 4 (or at least the particular way I went). The summit is small with rewarding views.

Getting There

From the town of Independence in Owens Valley, head west into the mountains at the signed turnoff for Onion Valley and drive 13 miles to the road's end, where there is a large parking lot (this is a popular area for day hikes and for beginning and ending backpacking excursions).

Route Description

Climbing this peak means about 15 miles round-trip with almost 4500' of climbing (this includes 800' or so gained on the return hike).

The trailhead is at 9200'. Hike 5.5 miles to Kearsarge Pass, which is on the boundary of Inyo National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park, gaining about 2600', and then descend about a mile and 800' to Kearsage Lakes. There are use trails around the lakes. To approach the Kearsarge Pinnacles, stay on the east side of the lakes. If you stay on the west side, you will find that what the map makes look like the outlet of the lake closest to the peaks is too wide to cross easily. It looks shallow enough to cross, or did in July 2012 from above, but that is no guarantee, and you will still have to get wet. Using the east side is a little longer but keeps you dry.

As long as you have looked at the pictures on this page and the main page, you will have no trouble spotting Pinnacles 9 and 10. Head up a steep, obvious chute to the 11,650' saddle between the two peaks. Expect a lot of scree and a lot of boulder-hopping. You'll do yourself a favor by staying on the larger rocks as much as possible, especially higher up, where it gets much steeper and the scree is looser.

From the saddle, climb west up the ridge abut 300 vertical feet to the summit. The way is short (less than a quarter-mile) but not always obvious, and there are some obstacles to bypass. As you get higher, the ridge funnels you into a narrower course, which is good since the surrounding terrain is Class 5. The higher you get, the more Class 3 scrambling there will be, and depending upon your exact course, you may feel some of it crosses into Class 4.

From the lake's edge to the summit, it's about half a mile, with around 1000' of elevation gain.

Essential Gear

If you're climbing with others, a helmet is a good idea, especially in the chute. Otherwise, unless snow is in the chute, you really shouldn't need anything more than your hands and feet. Since you can't see the peaks from the trailhead, carrying an ice axe is still probably in order at least through early summer.

Images

View Pinnacle #10 Image Gallery - 7 Images