wmolland - Jun 1, 2007 4:05 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2007
From the saddle on the PCT
A nice easy 2nd class scramble from the PCT. We came up from Horseshoe Meadow and tagged Muah and Cartago before hitting Olancha and going down to Sageflat. A nice point to point if you have two cars. After being the first people atop Cartago in over a year the day before we were the 8th people that day to summit Olancha. Awesome views from the top and a nice spot for a summit nap.
Steve Larson - Sep 18, 2006 3:37 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2006
From Monache Creek TH
A perfect fall day. Didn't see a soul until on the descent I ran into three PCT through hikers on their way to Horseshoe Meadows. I don't really like backpacking all that much, so better them than me.
Bruno and I were this [] close to the summit and thunderstorms ruined our foray after a fun off-road adventure. We'll get up there before November for sure.
Too bad, we had to turn around a little above 11,500'
Luciano136 - Jul 24, 2006 5:08 am Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2006
From Monache Meadows
We hiked from the trailhead at Monache Creek. Definitely not many people use this trail; it was pretty overgrown. We made it towards the rocky face when a thunderstom broke loose! We obviously turned around. Kind of a bummer but we'll be back! The drive to the trailhead is pretty exciting btw. When crossing the Kern river, the water flew up on the hood of the truck; kind of a scary moment there!
Route Climbed: From Sage Flat. Date Climbed: July 4, 1976
After a long hike to the pass, mosquitos were horrible, so we took off on a new looking trail - it ended in half a mile and we followed wooden stakes which marked the future route of the PCT - it was under construction at that time. Camped half a mile from water, but it was worth it to get rid of the bugs. Climbed the next day. Great peak for the bicentennial !
Route Climbed: Sage Flat TH Date Climbed: 06/12/05
I went looking for a group of hikers who where on the PCT.
I had no idea where they were. I followed there tracks to the somewhere around Olancha. Found them, and then decided to climb the mountain since I was fairly close. I saw no other hikers after them.
Route Climbed: Monache Meadows to the PCT Date Climbed: October 16, 2004
Reaching the trailhead is an adventure in and of itself. Drove in on the Monache Jeep Trail on Friday, camped along the South Fork Kern River and hiked up to the PCT on Saturday morning. Headed up the unmaintained trail through Cow Canyon, leaving from what is shown as Olivas Camp on some maps. Inadvertently hit the class 3 rock below the summit, close to the notch. Didn't see anyone all day until I ran into some deer hunters about a half mile from the trailhead. Only the third name in the summit register during October, and judging by the snow that started coming down about 12 hours after I left the summit, maybe the last of the season. A great adventure and a rewarding hike.
Route Climbed: Sage Flat Road Trailhead Date Climbed: July 31, 2004
A group of five climbed to the peak after spending the night at the wrangler camp located at the northwestern end of Summit Meadows. The spring at at the camp was little more than a trickle but was enough to provide water for two days of camping and hiking. Weather during the trip was fantastic! We only saw two other hikers on the trail the entire time.
Route Climbed: Same as everyone else (from PCT, via Sage Flat TH) Date Climbed: May 28, 2004
Had intended to hike around Yosemite today, but threatening weather forced a change of plans. So I drove south until conditions looked better, and found myself hiking up Olancha.
Unfortunately, the weather system also apparently moved south, leaving me with only a glimpse of views from amongst the clouds on the summit. It was a nice hike anyway, a bit under 9hrs CTC. The stretch of trail from Sage Flat up to Olancha Pass is quite scenic.
Route Climbed: Sage Flat, then from PCT Date Climbed: May 22, 2004
A long day hike with mdostby, agorokhov, Steven Sauter and his friend Glen. Outstanding views from the summit. We had another unspoiled, sunny day in the California Sierras.
Route Climbed: Class 2 scramble from PCT Date Climbed: June 9, 2002
Followed some misleading tracks and went off-trail a little too soon, only to find ourselves up on top of the peak just to the south of Olancha. Doh! So we begrudgingly scrambled back down the hill, then up to Olancha. Turned out to be a really long day... Great trip nonetheless!
Route Climbed: Monache Meadows/PCT Date Climbed: 07/14/95
Was in the area on a class field trip, so I decide to take a side trip to the summit. The high spring towards the top is one of the best water I have ever tasted.
Route Climbed: From the PCT Date Climbed: June 2000
I climbed Olancha two years ago. As I was headed down, another party was about to begin its ascent and planned to camp on the summit. Olancha would be a great place to summit camp, especially early in the season when snow is available, because it’s fairly flat and wouldn't be very difficult to climb with a light pack. Not much water in the area, so bring lots of water if you’re hiking later in the season.
wmolland - Jun 1, 2007 4:05 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2007
From the saddle on the PCTA nice easy 2nd class scramble from the PCT. We came up from Horseshoe Meadow and tagged Muah and Cartago before hitting Olancha and going down to Sageflat. A nice point to point if you have two cars. After being the first people atop Cartago in over a year the day before we were the 8th people that day to summit Olancha. Awesome views from the top and a nice spot for a summit nap.
Steve Larson - Sep 18, 2006 3:37 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2006
From Monache Creek THA perfect fall day. Didn't see a soul until on the descent I ran into three PCT through hikers on their way to Horseshoe Meadows. I don't really like backpacking all that much, so better them than me.
kngalaric - Aug 9, 2006 1:40 am
Lame, less than half a mile from the summitBruno and I were this [] close to the summit and thunderstorms ruined our foray after a fun off-road adventure. We'll get up there before November for sure.
Too bad, we had to turn around a little above 11,500'
Luciano136 - Jul 24, 2006 5:08 am Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2006
From Monache MeadowsWe hiked from the trailhead at Monache Creek. Definitely not many people use this trail; it was pretty overgrown. We made it towards the rocky face when a thunderstom broke loose! We obviously turned around. Kind of a bummer but we'll be back! The drive to the trailhead is pretty exciting btw. When crossing the Kern river, the water flew up on the hood of the truck; kind of a scary moment there!
cartale - Feb 10, 2006 8:36 pm
Route Climbed: Via trail Date Climbed: 10/24/2005Made the summit with Doug Mantle
Desert Solitaire - Jan 10, 2006 7:22 pm
Route Climbed: Northeast Ridge Date Climbed: January 6-7, 2006Great route with lots of snow. Will be back again for it. Trip Report
Langenbacher - Oct 25, 2005 3:23 pm
Route Climbed: From Sage Flat. Date Climbed: July 4, 1976After a long hike to the pass, mosquitos were horrible, so we took off on a new looking trail - it ended in half a mile and we followed wooden stakes which marked the future route of the PCT - it was under construction at that time. Camped half a mile from water, but it was worth it to get rid of the bugs. Climbed the next day. Great peak for the bicentennial !
tpdwr - Sep 28, 2005 10:13 pm
Route Climbed: East slope & north ridge Date Climbed: October 9, 1980From the powerline road west of Olancha. Up the slope and along a rocky ridge. Great fun!
tiogap - Sep 8, 2005 10:57 pm
Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: October, 1979long day hike
Guilty - Jun 14, 2005 7:00 pm
Route Climbed: Sage Flat TH Date Climbed: 06/12/05I went looking for a group of hikers who where on the PCT.
I had no idea where they were. I followed there tracks to the somewhere around Olancha. Found them, and then decided to climb the mountain since I was fairly close. I saw no other hikers after them.
ExploreABitMore - May 18, 2005 2:42 pm
Route Climbed: Sage Flat TH Date Climbed: 05/14/05Day hiked from the Sage Flat TH. Considerable amounts of snow made for a long day. Great views and a nice day.
cbuelow - Oct 19, 2004 7:03 pm
Route Climbed: Monache Meadows to the PCT Date Climbed: October 16, 2004Reaching the trailhead is an adventure in and of itself. Drove in on the Monache Jeep Trail on Friday, camped along the South Fork Kern River and hiked up to the PCT on Saturday morning. Headed up the unmaintained trail through Cow Canyon, leaving from what is shown as Olivas Camp on some maps. Inadvertently hit the class 3 rock below the summit, close to the notch. Didn't see anyone all day until I ran into some deer hunters about a half mile from the trailhead. Only the third name in the summit register during October, and judging by the snow that started coming down about 12 hours after I left the summit, maybe the last of the season. A great adventure and a rewarding hike.
kenhalama - Aug 1, 2004 10:01 pm
Route Climbed: Sage Flat Road Trailhead Date Climbed: July 31, 2004A group of five climbed to the peak after spending the night at the wrangler camp located at the northwestern end of Summit Meadows. The spring at at the camp was little more than a trickle but was enough to provide water for two days of camping and hiking. Weather during the trip was fantastic! We only saw two other hikers on the trail the entire time.
Matthew Holliman - Jun 1, 2004 2:12 pm
Route Climbed: Same as everyone else (from PCT, via Sage Flat TH) Date Climbed: May 28, 2004Had intended to hike around Yosemite today, but threatening weather forced a change of plans. So I drove south until conditions looked better, and found myself hiking up Olancha.
Unfortunately, the weather system also apparently moved south, leaving me with only a glimpse of views from amongst the clouds on the summit. It was a nice hike anyway, a bit under 9hrs CTC. The stretch of trail from Sage Flat up to Olancha Pass is quite scenic.
forjan - May 24, 2004 1:34 pm
Route Climbed: Sage Flat, then from PCT Date Climbed: May 22, 2004A long day hike with mdostby, agorokhov, Steven Sauter and his friend Glen. Outstanding views from the summit. We had another unspoiled, sunny day in the California Sierras.
RSN473 - Mar 4, 2004 6:15 pm
Route Climbed: From PCT Date Climbed: May 1997Climbed Olancha Cartago on a solo trip - suffered through bad weather
lidijagrazulis - Feb 19, 2004 12:49 pm
Route Climbed: Class 2 scramble from PCT Date Climbed: June 9, 2002Followed some misleading tracks and went off-trail a little too soon, only to find ourselves up on top of the peak just to the south of Olancha. Doh! So we begrudgingly scrambled back down the hill, then up to Olancha. Turned out to be a really long day... Great trip nonetheless!
Guilty - Oct 12, 2003 8:08 pm
Route Climbed: Monache Meadows/PCT Date Climbed: 07/14/95Was in the area on a class field trip, so I decide to take a side trip to the summit. The high spring towards the top is one of the best water I have ever tasted.
sierragator - Jun 1, 2003 6:58 pm
Route Climbed: sage flat/pct Date Climbed: 6-1-03second time on olancha peak, weather was perfect;views were outstanding. Summit was crowded this time out.
Dave K - Oct 21, 2002 9:57 am
Route Climbed: From the PCT Date Climbed: June 2000I climbed Olancha two years ago. As I was headed down, another party was about to begin its ascent and planned to camp on the summit. Olancha would be a great place to summit camp, especially early in the season when snow is available, because it’s fairly flat and wouldn't be very difficult to climb with a light pack. Not much water in the area, so bring lots of water if you’re hiking later in the season.