Sort of boring and loose, but I was very impressed by the look of things up top. Plus the east face of the giant is immense and frightening to look down at.
Straightforward hike from Black Giant Pass. Parts of it are class 2 but who am I to quibble with Secor's rating? Part of a 3 day stay in the Ionian Basin. Trip report..
I was just a 16 yo. Girl in 1970. I was between Sierra Club trail maintenance trips, when I decided to climb to Muir Pass along Evolution Valley from Blaney meadows during the time before my second round of trail maintenance. . After staying overnight in the Muir Pass hut, I couldn’t shake the idea that I just had to walk up that West slope full of black rocky shale So I did, slow going up the 13,300 ft. and I had only climbed one other mountain ‘The Hermit’ in order to learn how to use ropes, eg., belay on and off, but since I was sure this would be easy I went ahead. After the false summit, I had some doubt of my ability to get up this thing, but decided to keep going as I still had all day to get to LeConte canyon for a solo camping spot. As I got close to the peak, I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard two male voices full of teenage self congratulatory boasting of their summiting success. Giggling to myself so as not to be heard, I quietly snuck up to them and very casually and nonchalantly said, “Hi guys!” I can remember their utter shock and disbelief that a girl was there looking like she had taken a stroll in the park!!
Deb - Sep 9, 2017 4:07 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2017
West Slope
Summitted via west slope with some drizzle then snow flurry as we were leaving the summit. Terrible slog up and down but wonderful view north to Dusy Basin!
urnotreal - Oct 10, 2014 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2013
From Black GIant Pass
Hiked the High Route and decided to detour into Ionian Basin. This marked the beginning of that detour. A huge reward for surprisingly little effort. A must-do side trip for anyone that finds themselves in this area.
SkyPilot84 - Aug 25, 2014 1:21 am Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2014
Up from the JMT
Took me about an hour to ascend from Helen Lake. The views from the summit were the highlight of my 13-day JMT hike.
Was camped at Lake 11828 to begin a spectacular long weekend in Ionian Basin. On day 2 climbed Charybdis, McDuffie, and Black Giant, up the south slopes of Black Giant after ascending and descending the north ridge of McDuffie, then down via Black Giant Pass (be sure to descend all the way to the pass to avoid the cliffs if you follow this route). Had some hail on top but still great views.
Daria - Aug 26, 2010 4:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2010
Pretty walk up with light snow dusting from the day before.
kevin trieu - Apr 13, 2010 2:54 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
West Slope
did it with Charybdis
dshoshone - Sep 29, 2009 10:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2009
West slope
Easy walk-up; with Charybdis
Bob Burd - Aug 27, 2009 7:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2009
2009 Sierra Challenge
With Sean (below) and a handful of others on day 3 of the Challenge. Trip Report
seano - Aug 13, 2009 7:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2009
West slope
Daytrip from Lake Sabrina. Bonus peak for 2009 Sierra Challenge.
rockthrowjoe - Jan 9, 2009 11:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2006
Route Climbed: West Slope
Climbed with my dad during a hike of the John Muir Trail. Awesome views! For some good pictures from the summit click here and click through the next 10 or so pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11717855@N08/1494641721/in/set-72157602280956856/
It started as a 7-day trip over Lamarck Col and through Evolution to bag up to 10 peaks. It rained everyday, but cleared long enough to get Black Giant. Nice and sunny the day we packed out, though - figures. Another memorable trip with Patty R.
Matthew Holliman - Aug 21, 2007 2:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2007
West Slope
Black Giant/Charybdis dayhike out of Lake Sabrina via Echo Col. Very nice views from this one.
Echo Col is a bit tricky to cross from west to east--I couldn't locate the correct notch, and spent way too long (like 3 hrs too long) trying to find my darned axe/crampons, which I'd left up at the pass in the morning... oops.
bechtt - Aug 1, 2007 5:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2007
West Slope
From Black Giant Pass after climbing Charybdis. Easy 40 minute hike. Peak #11 on JMT adventure.
Eric O - May 2, 2006 6:05 pm Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2006
On Skis
Mike Schwartz and I climbed Black Giant via the gentle west slope on backcountry ski gear, on a beautiful sunny day with almost no wind. We switched from skis to crampons for the final 500 feet and summited in early afternoon. Then descended a steep narrow couloir to the unnamed lake between BG and Charybdis. As you look south from BG's summit, from left to right, there is a saddle in the south ridge which can easily be skied to the aforementioned lake; then to skier's right of that are two steep narrow couloirs with sheer rock walls; to skier's right of that again are some patchy rock and snow areas; then to skier's right again lies Black Giant Pass. Both the couloir we skied and the one next to it held continuous snow in the range of 40 to 45 degrees and it was in great "corn" condition. In a snow year heavy enough to fill these chutes, I'd definitely recommend skiing either of them.
The top of the chute we skied is visible in this image.
wmolland - Aug 31, 2022 6:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2022
From below Muir PassA very simple ascent up the pretty stable scree. It a cool looking peak when going south on the JMT. I see why it gets the name.
CWessels - Jul 31, 2021 8:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2021
West SlopeSort of boring and loose, but I was very impressed by the look of things up top. Plus the east face of the giant is immense and frightening to look down at.
Romain - Sep 9, 2019 2:32 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2019
From Black Giant PassStraightforward hike from Black Giant Pass. Parts of it are class 2 but who am I to quibble with Secor's rating? Part of a 3 day stay in the Ionian Basin. Trip report..
TrekOn5 - Jul 16, 2019 5:13 am
Black GiantI was just a 16 yo. Girl in 1970. I was between Sierra Club trail maintenance trips, when I decided to climb to Muir Pass along Evolution Valley from Blaney meadows during the time before my second round of trail maintenance. . After staying overnight in the Muir Pass hut, I couldn’t shake the idea that I just had to walk up that West slope full of black rocky shale So I did, slow going up the 13,300 ft. and I had only climbed one other mountain ‘The Hermit’ in order to learn how to use ropes, eg., belay on and off, but since I was sure this would be easy I went ahead. After the false summit, I had some doubt of my ability to get up this thing, but decided to keep going as I still had all day to get to LeConte canyon for a solo camping spot. As I got close to the peak, I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard two male voices full of teenage self congratulatory boasting of their summiting success. Giggling to myself so as not to be heard, I quietly snuck up to them and very casually and nonchalantly said, “Hi guys!” I can remember their utter shock and disbelief that a girl was there looking like she had taken a stroll in the park!!
Deb - Sep 9, 2017 4:07 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2017
West SlopeSummitted via west slope with some drizzle then snow flurry as we were leaving the summit. Terrible slog up and down but wonderful view north to Dusy Basin!
urnotreal - Oct 10, 2014 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2013
From Black GIant PassHiked the High Route and decided to detour into Ionian Basin. This marked the beginning of that detour. A huge reward for surprisingly little effort. A must-do side trip for anyone that finds themselves in this area.
SkyPilot84 - Aug 25, 2014 1:21 am Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2014
Up from the JMTTook me about an hour to ascend from Helen Lake. The views from the summit were the highlight of my 13-day JMT hike.
mrchad9 - Sep 6, 2011 2:50 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2011
Lake 11828Was camped at Lake 11828 to begin a spectacular long weekend in Ionian Basin. On day 2 climbed Charybdis, McDuffie, and Black Giant, up the south slopes of Black Giant after ascending and descending the north ridge of McDuffie, then down via Black Giant Pass (be sure to descend all the way to the pass to avoid the cliffs if you follow this route). Had some hail on top but still great views.
Daria - Aug 26, 2010 4:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2010
Dayhike with CharybdisCool exposure and drop off on other side of peak
jonhersh - Jul 27, 2010 6:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2000
West SlopePretty walk up with light snow dusting from the day before.
kevin trieu - Apr 13, 2010 2:54 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
West Slopedid it with Charybdis
dshoshone - Sep 29, 2009 10:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2009
West slopeEasy walk-up; with Charybdis
Bob Burd - Aug 27, 2009 7:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2009
2009 Sierra ChallengeWith Sean (below) and a handful of others on day 3 of the Challenge. Trip Report
seano - Aug 13, 2009 7:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2009
West slopeDaytrip from Lake Sabrina. Bonus peak for 2009 Sierra Challenge.
rockthrowjoe - Jan 9, 2009 11:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2006
Route Climbed: West SlopeClimbed with my dad during a hike of the John Muir Trail. Awesome views! For some good pictures from the summit click here and click through the next 10 or so pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11717855@N08/1494641721/in/set-72157602280956856/
hikinedd - Jul 1, 2008 6:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2003
6 Days - 1 PeakIt started as a 7-day trip over Lamarck Col and through Evolution to bag up to 10 peaks. It rained everyday, but cleared long enough to get Black Giant. Nice and sunny the day we packed out, though - figures. Another memorable trip with Patty R.
Matthew Holliman - Aug 21, 2007 2:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2007
West SlopeBlack Giant/Charybdis dayhike out of Lake Sabrina via Echo Col. Very nice views from this one.
Echo Col is a bit tricky to cross from west to east--I couldn't locate the correct notch, and spent way too long (like 3 hrs too long) trying to find my darned axe/crampons, which I'd left up at the pass in the morning... oops.
bechtt - Aug 1, 2007 5:34 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2007
West SlopeFrom Black Giant Pass after climbing Charybdis. Easy 40 minute hike. Peak #11 on JMT adventure.
Eric O - May 2, 2006 6:05 pm Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2006
On SkisMike Schwartz and I climbed Black Giant via the gentle west slope on backcountry ski gear, on a beautiful sunny day with almost no wind. We switched from skis to crampons for the final 500 feet and summited in early afternoon. Then descended a steep narrow couloir to the unnamed lake between BG and Charybdis. As you look south from BG's summit, from left to right, there is a saddle in the south ridge which can easily be skied to the aforementioned lake; then to skier's right of that are two steep narrow couloirs with sheer rock walls; to skier's right of that again are some patchy rock and snow areas; then to skier's right again lies Black Giant Pass. Both the couloir we skied and the one next to it held continuous snow in the range of 40 to 45 degrees and it was in great "corn" condition. In a snow year heavy enough to fill these chutes, I'd definitely recommend skiing either of them.
The top of the chute we skied is visible in this image.
tpdwr - Sep 28, 2005 9:47 pm
Route Climbed: West slope Date Climbed: August 5, 1981From Black Giant Pass on way to Ionian Basin.