From South Lake via the Chocolate Lakes basin, up one of the west chutes, up to Cloudripper, over to Vagabond, down the same west chute, then up and over Chocolate Peak.
Donno - Aug 28, 2020 8:17 am Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2020
West Chute C2C
Solo, C2C from South Lk TH. 9.5h, +/- 3700'. Nerve-racking, scary and exhilarating. 100th peak!
ratz - Oct 7, 2019 9:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2019
Cloudripper Oct 2019
Hiked via green lake trail up to coyote ridge and then across the plateau and over Vagabond peak.
Some sources have noted that this route is class 3, I highly disagree, it was an easy class 2, nothing tricky at all... it was still a exhausting day. Took us about 11 hours to total hiking time. but that included a lot of sitting around enjoying the views.
Scott M. - Aug 30, 2018 5:44 am Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2018
East Ridge from Seventh Lakke
An outstanding day with great weather and views with Patrick Rizzo
Romain - Aug 19, 2018 11:51 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2018
East Ridge from Baker Lake
With my son Simon. The crux is getting up Coyote Valley Road, which is very rough until one gets to Coyote Flat (then it gets better). 4*4 with high clearance necessary. Nice adventure overall, with an unusual way to approach the peak. Summit views among the best I've seen so far in the Sierra. Trip report
gordonye - Aug 14, 2017 10:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2017
From Green Lake
Climbed with Mike Chen and another friend who turned back due to altitude symptoms. This is a very good introduction to class 2-3 scrambling on a high peak, there is very little loose rock and the summit scrambling is fairly easy.
dakine - Aug 10, 2017 5:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2017
Via Green Lake
Dayhike via Green Lake, nice scramble at the summit
Bill562 - Aug 7, 2017 11:15 am Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2017
Via West chute
With Marina K. Route finding was a challenge for us.
BobD3 - Aug 5, 2017 8:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2017
From Big Pine Lake #6
Good views in all directions. Got turned back from the West chute route a few years back, and decided not to re-try it. Too easy to get off route. The wooden sign is no longer there.
Ben FR - Jul 15, 2017 3:45 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2017
West chute variation
I successfully climbed Cloudripper on Friday, July 14, 2017 (record snow year). Despite studying the route carefully, I misread the chutes and ended up taking the much wider chute directly to the north of the commonly climbed West Chute. This chute was solid class 2 terrain until the first "Y" (we went right) where it morphed into loose class 3 terrain. At the second "Y" we went right again, and ended up in an extremely loose class 4+ chimney. Based on how loose the terrain was, we were certain we went the wrong way. At one point I accidentally pulled down a 100lb+ boulder which came within a foot of my climbing partner. We ended up downclimbing a few hundred feet and attempted another chute which was less loose and had a solid 5.5-5.6 crux move and spit us out a few minutes North of the summit.
We descended down toward Vagabond Peak, which we summited and then headed down toward Green Lake. We unfortunately didn't know about the trail that takes you down to Green Lake, and headed down an interminable boulder field.
Key takeaway:
- Do not attempt to enter the very wide and inviting chute and stick to the chute to its right.
- Helmet may be a good idea for the top of the chutes given chossy terrain.
- If descending to Green Lake, find the trail down rather than going down the boulder field.
North couloir via Chocolate Lakes. Made a right instead of a left and ended up on a class 4 on the South summit. Not funny. 3 hours fron South Lake parking lot to real summit.
Drove up near green lake from coyote flats and then hiked to green lake from there.Camped there for the night. In the morning we climbed Cloudripper and vagabond from green lake but didn't take the scree field up. Nick and I wrapped around the back of it and descended down to thunder and lightning lake. Filtered some water and fished for an hour before heading up the east ridge. Spent an hour up top vibing hard and then went on to bag vagabond. We took the scree field back down to above green lake where we camped for the night. If you are not in a hurry I would suggest the route I took as it passes by a beautiful lake and also gets you some extra exposure on the east ridge. Awesome day it was
Brian Asher - May 5, 2016 3:09 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2015
Cloudripper, Vagabond, Sky Haven
Up from Big Pine North Fork past glacial lakes up to Cloud Ripper. Traversed to Vagabond was cake, however Sky Haven was slow going. Headed down to the north and got slightly lost before refinding the trail back down towards North Fork. Big day
Fairweather - Oct 18, 2015 8:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2014
Day Hike from South Lake
Very fun day with Todd.
The wooden sign on top is a nice surprise.
Great view of the Palisades and South Lake basin.
iditarod81 - Oct 12, 2015 4:12 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2015
Consolation in the Inconsolables
After 3 prior attempts were foiled due to horrible weather, we caught Cloudripper on a clear day and finally summited! Grabbed Vagabond en route from Green Lake also. There was a decent amount of snow up there already. I hope this bodes well for the season...we definitely need a wet winter to make up for the past 4 years.
Ambret - Sep 6, 2015 1:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2015
Via Green Lake/Vagabond
Reached the north peak of Cloudripper after crossing over from Vagabond Peak with Ruvicha, Jim* and Steve2. Would have been better views had it not been for the smoke blowing in from the western Sierra fires.
IronHiker - Aug 24, 2015 5:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2015
South Lake / Green Lake
Hit Vagabond on the way. Smoke from wildfires obscured some of the best views I've seen anywhere. Class 3 summit with a newer wooden sign. Awesome hike.
tcollins1206 - Jan 6, 2025 11:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2024
Via Green Lake/VagabondFrom Green Lake to Coyote Ridge to Vagabond Peak to Cloudripper.
hightinerary - Aug 21, 2024 6:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2024
Not RIpped OffMy previous two attempts were aborted due to bad weather. This time I was not denied.
bearbnz - Jul 20, 2024 5:54 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2024
First Peak of the DayFrom South Lake via the Chocolate Lakes basin, up one of the west chutes, up to Cloudripper, over to Vagabond, down the same west chute, then up and over Chocolate Peak.
Donno - Aug 28, 2020 8:17 am Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2020
West Chute C2CSolo, C2C from South Lk TH. 9.5h, +/- 3700'. Nerve-racking, scary and exhilarating. 100th peak!
ratz - Oct 7, 2019 9:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2019
Cloudripper Oct 2019Hiked via green lake trail up to coyote ridge and then across the plateau and over Vagabond peak.
Some sources have noted that this route is class 3, I highly disagree, it was an easy class 2, nothing tricky at all... it was still a exhausting day. Took us about 11 hours to total hiking time. but that included a lot of sitting around enjoying the views.
Scott M. - Aug 30, 2018 5:44 am Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2018
East Ridge from Seventh LakkeAn outstanding day with great weather and views with Patrick Rizzo
Romain - Aug 19, 2018 11:51 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2018
East Ridge from Baker LakeWith my son Simon. The crux is getting up Coyote Valley Road, which is very rough until one gets to Coyote Flat (then it gets better). 4*4 with high clearance necessary. Nice adventure overall, with an unusual way to approach the peak. Summit views among the best I've seen so far in the Sierra. Trip report
mengbo - Sep 26, 2017 7:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2017
backpacking tripa PCS outing.
gordonye - Aug 14, 2017 10:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2017
From Green LakeClimbed with Mike Chen and another friend who turned back due to altitude symptoms. This is a very good introduction to class 2-3 scrambling on a high peak, there is very little loose rock and the summit scrambling is fairly easy.
dakine - Aug 10, 2017 5:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2017
Via Green LakeDayhike via Green Lake, nice scramble at the summit
Bill562 - Aug 7, 2017 11:15 am Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2017
Via West chuteWith Marina K. Route finding was a challenge for us.
BobD3 - Aug 5, 2017 8:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2017
From Big Pine Lake #6Good views in all directions. Got turned back from the West chute route a few years back, and decided not to re-try it. Too easy to get off route. The wooden sign is no longer there.
Ben FR - Jul 15, 2017 3:45 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2017
West chute variationI successfully climbed Cloudripper on Friday, July 14, 2017 (record snow year). Despite studying the route carefully, I misread the chutes and ended up taking the much wider chute directly to the north of the commonly climbed West Chute. This chute was solid class 2 terrain until the first "Y" (we went right) where it morphed into loose class 3 terrain. At the second "Y" we went right again, and ended up in an extremely loose class 4+ chimney. Based on how loose the terrain was, we were certain we went the wrong way. At one point I accidentally pulled down a 100lb+ boulder which came within a foot of my climbing partner. We ended up downclimbing a few hundred feet and attempted another chute which was less loose and had a solid 5.5-5.6 crux move and spit us out a few minutes North of the summit.
We descended down toward Vagabond Peak, which we summited and then headed down toward Green Lake. We unfortunately didn't know about the trail that takes you down to Green Lake, and headed down an interminable boulder field.
Key takeaway:
- Do not attempt to enter the very wide and inviting chute and stick to the chute to its right.
- Helmet may be a good idea for the top of the chutes given chossy terrain.
- If descending to Green Lake, find the trail down rather than going down the boulder field.
Diesel - Jul 21, 2016 11:37 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2016
The only summit with a wooden sign.North couloir via Chocolate Lakes. Made a right instead of a left and ended up on a class 4 on the South summit. Not funny. 3 hours fron South Lake parking lot to real summit.
austinorville1 - Jul 5, 2016 5:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2016
Cloudripper, VagabondDrove up near green lake from coyote flats and then hiked to green lake from there.Camped there for the night. In the morning we climbed Cloudripper and vagabond from green lake but didn't take the scree field up. Nick and I wrapped around the back of it and descended down to thunder and lightning lake. Filtered some water and fished for an hour before heading up the east ridge. Spent an hour up top vibing hard and then went on to bag vagabond. We took the scree field back down to above green lake where we camped for the night. If you are not in a hurry I would suggest the route I took as it passes by a beautiful lake and also gets you some extra exposure on the east ridge. Awesome day it was
Brian Asher - May 5, 2016 3:09 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2015
Cloudripper, Vagabond, Sky HavenUp from Big Pine North Fork past glacial lakes up to Cloud Ripper. Traversed to Vagabond was cake, however Sky Haven was slow going. Headed down to the north and got slightly lost before refinding the trail back down towards North Fork. Big day
Route here: https://www.strava.com/activities/323537651
Fairweather - Oct 18, 2015 8:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2014
Day Hike from South LakeVery fun day with Todd.
The wooden sign on top is a nice surprise.
Great view of the Palisades and South Lake basin.
iditarod81 - Oct 12, 2015 4:12 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2015
Consolation in the InconsolablesAfter 3 prior attempts were foiled due to horrible weather, we caught Cloudripper on a clear day and finally summited! Grabbed Vagabond en route from Green Lake also. There was a decent amount of snow up there already. I hope this bodes well for the season...we definitely need a wet winter to make up for the past 4 years.
Ambret - Sep 6, 2015 1:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2015
Via Green Lake/VagabondReached the north peak of Cloudripper after crossing over from Vagabond Peak with Ruvicha, Jim* and Steve2. Would have been better views had it not been for the smoke blowing in from the western Sierra fires.
IronHiker - Aug 24, 2015 5:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2015
South Lake / Green LakeHit Vagabond on the way. Smoke from wildfires obscured some of the best views I've seen anywhere. Class 3 summit with a newer wooden sign. Awesome hike.