Sawtooth Peak Climber's Log

Viewing: 1-20 of 58
Bill562

Bill562 - Sep 6, 2021 10:31 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2021

Dayhike  Sucess!

Team of four

furuyamala

furuyamala - Jul 12, 2020 6:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2020

Beautiful Hike  Sucess!

It’s a workout to the top from Sawtooth Trailhead, but the view is worth every arduous step. We camped at Lower Monarch Lake before heading back down the next day and had the place all to ourselves. A bear visited our camp in the wee hours of the night. He was happy to eat grass and drink from the lake, so we all just ignored each other. There was a small snowfield about a quarter mile below the lake which was easily navigable with trekking poles.

My hiking partner and I found some camera equipment near the bear box at Lower Monarch Lake. I have it and will happily get it to you if it’s yours. Please PM me to describe and claim.

Travissmith2251

Travissmith2251 - Aug 23, 2019 10:01 pm

Summit  Sucess!

Great peak with my dad

T. White

T. White - Nov 9, 2017 2:33 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2014

Didn't quite make it

I abandoned my scramble up the summit ridge due to being sick of the dirt and wary of a slip... previous commenters are right when saying it's tricky.

My hiking buddy made it to the top but ended up descending via the Monarch Lake cirque, which he recommended over Sawtooth Pass. Will have to try this next time, 'cause those lake views beckon so...

Luciano136

Luciano136 - Aug 3, 2014 3:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2014

Solo day hike  Sucess!

From Mineral King over Sawtooth Pass. Didn't think the sand was that bad at all. The ridge is what was time consuming.

wordlessnature

wordlessnature - Aug 9, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Solo day hike

Kind of agree... There were a few parts of sand which obscured slippery slabs underneath, and that was, at times, tiring. The ridge possesses some tricky parts, especially early on.

wordlessnature

wordlessnature - Aug 3, 2014 2:18 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2014

from Sawtooth Pass  Sucess!

We climbed up mixed decomposed granite and loose rock, just under the ridge until just below summit. Fine scrambling near the top and a fun slab walk getting to the top!

mrchad9

mrchad9 - Oct 23, 2013 12:44 pm Date Climbed: Oct 19, 2013

2x  Sucess!

The first stop on a nice fall loop covering Sawtooth, Needham, and Mineral Peak. The route up the south ridge was much better than a previous trip up to Sawtooth Pass.

My first visit here was September 2004... one of my first real Sierra summits (after only Half Dome and Whitney). Previous post: "Camped at Monarch Lakes and climbed the next day. Can't get enough of the Mineral King area and the cabins at Silver City are even better. Perhaps my favorite trailhead on the west side."

chefas02

chefas02 - Oct 9, 2013 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2013

Day Hike  Sucess!

Nice day hike. The sand really sucked. A lot of fun going down!!

cab

cab - Aug 7, 2013 6:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2013

Glacier Pass  Sucess!

I took the old "trail" up to near Glacier Pass then cut over through the sand to Sawtooth Pass and on to the peak. Nice views from the summit, but the sand sucked. Continued on to Needham Mountain.

maryslosson

maryslosson - Jan 20, 2013 9:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2012

Sawtooth Peak via Mineral King  Sucess!

Camped at Lower Monarch Lake and summited Sawtooth Peak the next morning. Wonderful weekend adventure.

soslaw

soslaw - Jul 30, 2012 1:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2012

Sawtooth Pass  Sucess!

Approach to Sawtooth pass via the old unmaintained trail to Glacier notch avoided the endless switchbacks of the Glacier pass trail to Monarch lakes.

ckerth

ckerth - Jul 26, 2012 8:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2012

Sawtooth Pass  Sucess!

My first trip into the Mineral King area, climbing Sawtooth Peak, Needham Mountain, Eagle Scout Peak, Mount Kaweah, and Second Kaweah over a four day backpacking trip from the Sawtooth Trailhead.

Jwp2025 - Jul 12, 2012 1:14 pm

My First real mountain  Sucess!

I have done this twice. It was the first mountain I climbed over 9000ft. Steep views into the backcountry.

krrt2000

krrt2000 - Feb 26, 2012 9:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 1993

Monarch Lake  Sucess!

Day trip from Friant

seano

seano - Feb 4, 2012 1:32 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2011

From Mineral Peak  Sucess!

Part of a counter-clockwise tour of most of the Mineral King area peaks. Trip report

GlennD

GlennD - Jan 19, 2012 3:18 am Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2011

How Not To Climb The Mountain:  Sucess!

1) Forget your hiking boots at home. 2) Use very lightweight running shoes instead that have little traction. 3) Try to descend a different way than you went up, down cliffs with no climbing gear.
Still a fun day!

LincolnB

LincolnB - Dec 5, 2011 12:08 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2010

From Crystal  Sucess!

Climbed with brother Jon after camping at Crystal Lake the night before. Got off track on the return over the Crystal/Ampitheater saddle and got into scarier climbing than I wanted.

SkyPilot84

SkyPilot84 - Aug 22, 2011 12:08 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2011

from Lower Monarch Lake  Sucess!

Nice hike. A marmot followed us to the top.

hi5dudes

hi5dudes - Aug 18, 2011 7:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2011

Route Climbed: From Sawtooth Pass  Sucess!

Summitted with Jonathan, Jessica, and Jason starting from Lower Monarch Lake. Clear skies and views of Whitney possible. In early August there were still two fields of ice lower on the trail blocking 50-100 foot sections of the trail. One patch was on the route from Mineral King to Monarch Lakes 0.5 miles before the lake, and another was 0.25 miles past the camp at Lower Monarch Lake. The ice is passable with trekking poles, but most slippery in the morning after refreezing overnight. From the pass to the top it is bone dry.

The best way up to Sawtooth Pass from Lower Monarch lake is (while looking up at the mountain from the lake) the patch of green vegetation 50 yards to the left of the official trail up the shale lined slope, although the shale is easier on the knees while going down. From the pass the trail requires some boulder hopping, but easily manageable following the trail of cairns. The logbook in the ammo box at the top is new this year. Great views at the top. Well worth the effort. Looking down the vertical face of the north side of Sawtooth is both scary and impressive. Great hike!

Viewing: 1-20 of 58
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