Approach
The ascent begins from Lunch Meadow, which is located approximately 9 miles from the Kennedy Meadows trailhead. The trail is well marked and maintained, and is an easy hike.
Follow the Huckleberry Trail past Relief Reservoir and Saucer Meadow. Watch for the sign that marks the often overcrowded Sheep Camp. There are several smaller and quieter campsites 1/2 mile or so past Sheep Camp, each in a stand of Lodgepole Pine. If you reach the trail split to Brown Bear Pass, you've gone too far.
Route Description
At the east end of Lunch Meadow, look for the stream coming down from Relief Peak. Gain the ridgeline that runs NW to the summit from here. This is an easy class II ascent, as depicted in
this photo.
Dsclaimer: I've not climbed this route yet, though I've had a good look at it from Blackhawk Mountain. I believe it to be fairly simple class II route.
Start elevation: 8,900'
Summit: 10,808'
Elevation gain: 1,908'
Distance: 2 miles
Essential Gear
There is no special equipment required for this climb during the summer months except for the usual overnight backcountry camping gear.
Miscellaneous Info
If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
lakenyon - Nov 13, 2005 1:33 am - Hasn't voted
Route Commentsingstream and I did this route, and I can confirm that your description is accurate. We left the trail a little farther west than you describe. We had to do some scree-slogging on the lower section, but not nearly as much as on the traverse between Relief and Molo. The upper section featured pleasant and staightforward cross-country hiking.
An easy mistake to make on this route is to head for Peak 10659' (on climber's left), which appears for a while to be the highest point. The summit of Relief is to the right.
Alpinist - Nov 13, 2005 10:07 am - Hasn't voted
Route CommentThanks for your additions to this web page.