From Horsetail Falls, climbed up into Desolation Valley, up to Pyramid Lake, up to Pyramid's north saddle, then along the ridge to Peak 9686 and Mount Aggassiz, then back along the ridge, up to Pyramid Peak and down the other side, using the Rocky Trail Canyon to return to Strawberry.
Day 3. Woke up overlooking lake Aloha from the north. We packed up and started side-hilling directly to Mosquito Pass, which more or less worked out. Once down we immediately started up the 'slabs of insanity', a route found on summitpost. While very fun, I wouldn't call it insane. We forced class 3 when we could, and found a couple tough moves on the beginning of the route because we were reluctant to find the easy way up. All in all, we were nearing Mount Price before I expected. I had looked up some beta on how to access the summit but only remembered half of it. We were intent on making as direct a route as possible, so we did encounter some tougher class 3 near the top. After summiting we hiked over to the next peak, Mount Agassiz which is on no lists but has a very impressive summit block. Lunched up top and could see clouds forming in the distance to the south again. We still had to traverse over to Pyramid, encounter some 'class 4' moves at the saddle, then climb the worst talus slope of this trip. We were tired, but it wasn't long before we were atop Pyramid, hearing the become more frequent. We started hearing static electricity coming from our shoes while standing on rocky areas up top, something I've never even heard about. Needless to say we skipped our snacks and ran down the boulders as safely as we could to find the trail at long last. It was an easy going 3.5 miles back to 50 and a half mile or so up to our car. A very successful weekend traversing from Tallac, Dicks, & Jacks the two days prior.
Took the direct (Rocky Canyon) route from Hwy 50. Going up was surprisingly easy except for the blisters I got in the first 1,200 vertical feet (VF), which are very steep. After that it was pretty easy and fun scrambling for the final 500 VF. Coming down was a different story. The final 1,200 VF back to the TH were steep downhill and agonizing. Thighs are burning 3 days later.
Scott Fulton - Jun 27, 2020 8:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Hiked it via Rocky Canyon
About 8.5 hours car to car. Definitely a tough hike.
naura - Jun 27, 2020 6:10 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Up Horsetail Falls/East Couloir, down Rocky Canyon
Scrambled up the falls, headed northwest, scrambled up the couloir. Routefinding was easy and the route is class 2 with the occasional class 3 move. Very windy on summit ridge. Descended Rocky Canyon to get some variety and spare our knees a 4k' descent on granite.
dgkirk - Jun 13, 2020 7:28 pm Date Climbed: Jun 8, 2020
A long scramble
Started from camp on south side of Lake Aloha and made our way to the southern ridge. Underestimated the terrain and our fitness levels. What was supposed to be a mildly-adventurous-off-trail-romp turned into an all day sufferfest. Thank goodness my mate brought almost a pound of cheese to summit, we needed it. Oh and watchout for the marmot at the summit. Took off my shoes to air out my feet, and he nearly chomped through my laces.
Brem - Aug 7, 2019 10:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2019
East Ridge Scramble
Backpacked out from Echo Lake to Lake Aloha in 2.5hrs and made camp at Waca Lake. Hiked towards Pyramid Lake and up the creek towards the peak. Reached the unnamed lake at the base and scrambled up the east face. Gnarly climb up the steep face. Took some pictures at the top and glissaded back down to the unnamed lake. Took 2 hours to get to the top and 1.5 to get back.
Steep, not so steep, then steep again, then talus. Very windy on top. 40+ people on the trail. 7/12 hrs. RT from Hwy. 50 taking it easy with time on top.
SuperChthonic - May 3, 2018 8:17 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2013
Long but worth it
Great climb. Beautiful views of the Desolation Wilderness.
Pyramid Peak via Rocky Canyon/South East Trailhead. Day trip. 4,050 ft elevation gain. Party of 2.
occam_razes - Aug 29, 2017 4:30 am Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2017
Worth the climb
Lost the trail several times, but managed to figure it out. Some of it was common sense, though. Took the Rocky Canyon route straight up. The one who said "if you find yourself bushwhacking, you're off the trail" was actually very helpful. Found myself bushwhacking a few times, so I back tracked a bit and found the trail. It was tricky at the base of the final peak. The snow hadn't completely melted and hid the trail. Quite slippery and probably a bit dangerous at that point. All in all, I would hike this again! Took about 5 hours total.
kaylam87 - Jul 4, 2017 11:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2016
Gimme Shelter
Great hike, but very windy at the top. Glad to have those little dugouts! Took the Rocky Canyon route.
BobD3 - Aug 10, 2016 9:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2016
Wind
From Twin Bridges. Wind really picked up after 10 AM. Probably 60+ mph the last 1000 ft. up. At the summit the wind subsided and the views were pretty nice.
Had a little difficulty on the return, cliffed out once, but backtracked, and all it all worked out peaches.
Mike McL - Aug 8, 2024 9:27 am Date Climbed: Sep 27, 2016
PyramidHiked up the Rocky Canyon Trail
Mike McL - Aug 7, 2024 8:51 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2019
Crystal Range TraverseDid the Crystal Range Traverse from Wrights Lake TH, solo
Wheelbarrow - Mar 20, 2024 1:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2021
Part of 22 mile loop in DesolationNice change of scenery as we made our way up. The traverse to Mount Price was tedious but very aesthetically pleasing.
laxatives - Sep 26, 2023 10:05 am Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2012
First Class 2 Scramble w/ CharlieThanks Charlie for getting me into my first Class 2 Climb back in college. Super fun day, even if it was hard keeping up with you.
kleberr - Jul 3, 2022 10:06 am Date Climbed: May 25, 2007
My second Sierra PeakMy second Sierra Peak ever. Since 2007 I climbed Pyramid multiple times on different routes. I prefer the approach from Lake Sylvia
Hiking Metal Maniac - Dec 20, 2020 7:16 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2020
Climbed on the 4th of JulyFrom Horsetail Falls, climbed up into Desolation Valley, up to Pyramid Lake, up to Pyramid's north saddle, then along the ridge to Peak 9686 and Mount Aggassiz, then back along the ridge, up to Pyramid Peak and down the other side, using the Rocky Trail Canyon to return to Strawberry.
colingregory - Jul 27, 2020 2:08 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2020
BackpackDay 3. Woke up overlooking lake Aloha from the north. We packed up and started side-hilling directly to Mosquito Pass, which more or less worked out. Once down we immediately started up the 'slabs of insanity', a route found on summitpost. While very fun, I wouldn't call it insane. We forced class 3 when we could, and found a couple tough moves on the beginning of the route because we were reluctant to find the easy way up. All in all, we were nearing Mount Price before I expected. I had looked up some beta on how to access the summit but only remembered half of it. We were intent on making as direct a route as possible, so we did encounter some tougher class 3 near the top. After summiting we hiked over to the next peak, Mount Agassiz which is on no lists but has a very impressive summit block. Lunched up top and could see clouds forming in the distance to the south again. We still had to traverse over to Pyramid, encounter some 'class 4' moves at the saddle, then climb the worst talus slope of this trip. We were tired, but it wasn't long before we were atop Pyramid, hearing the become more frequent. We started hearing static electricity coming from our shoes while standing on rocky areas up top, something I've never even heard about. Needless to say we skipped our snacks and ran down the boulders as safely as we could to find the trail at long last. It was an easy going 3.5 miles back to 50 and a half mile or so up to our car. A very successful weekend traversing from Tallac, Dicks, & Jacks the two days prior.
Trawinski - Jul 6, 2020 1:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2020
Burning ThighsTook the direct (Rocky Canyon) route from Hwy 50. Going up was surprisingly easy except for the blisters I got in the first 1,200 vertical feet (VF), which are very steep. After that it was pretty easy and fun scrambling for the final 500 VF. Coming down was a different story. The final 1,200 VF back to the TH were steep downhill and agonizing. Thighs are burning 3 days later.
Scott Fulton - Jun 27, 2020 8:15 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Hiked it via Rocky CanyonAbout 8.5 hours car to car. Definitely a tough hike.
naura - Jun 27, 2020 6:10 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Up Horsetail Falls/East Couloir, down Rocky CanyonScrambled up the falls, headed northwest, scrambled up the couloir. Routefinding was easy and the route is class 2 with the occasional class 3 move. Very windy on summit ridge. Descended Rocky Canyon to get some variety and spare our knees a 4k' descent on granite.
dgkirk - Jun 13, 2020 7:28 pm Date Climbed: Jun 8, 2020
A long scrambleStarted from camp on south side of Lake Aloha and made our way to the southern ridge. Underestimated the terrain and our fitness levels. What was supposed to be a mildly-adventurous-off-trail-romp turned into an all day sufferfest. Thank goodness my mate brought almost a pound of cheese to summit, we needed it. Oh and watchout for the marmot at the summit. Took off my shoes to air out my feet, and he nearly chomped through my laces.
Brem - Aug 7, 2019 10:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2019
East Ridge ScrambleBackpacked out from Echo Lake to Lake Aloha in 2.5hrs and made camp at Waca Lake. Hiked towards Pyramid Lake and up the creek towards the peak. Reached the unnamed lake at the base and scrambled up the east face. Gnarly climb up the steep face. Took some pictures at the top and glissaded back down to the unnamed lake. Took 2 hours to get to the top and 1.5 to get back.
DanFeinberg - Jun 3, 2019 1:40 pm
Made it up from 50check
davidsanger - Sep 16, 2018 5:42 pm Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2018
Rocky Canyon on a SaturdaySteep, not so steep, then steep again, then talus. Very windy on top. 40+ people on the trail. 7/12 hrs. RT from Hwy. 50 taking it easy with time on top.
SuperChthonic - May 3, 2018 8:17 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2013
Long but worth itGreat climb. Beautiful views of the Desolation Wilderness.
patricklynch88 - Sep 14, 2017 3:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2017
Rocky CanyonPyramid Peak via Rocky Canyon/South East Trailhead. Day trip. 4,050 ft elevation gain. Party of 2.
occam_razes - Aug 29, 2017 4:30 am Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2017
Worth the climbLost the trail several times, but managed to figure it out. Some of it was common sense, though. Took the Rocky Canyon route straight up. The one who said "if you find yourself bushwhacking, you're off the trail" was actually very helpful. Found myself bushwhacking a few times, so I back tracked a bit and found the trail. It was tricky at the base of the final peak. The snow hadn't completely melted and hid the trail. Quite slippery and probably a bit dangerous at that point. All in all, I would hike this again! Took about 5 hours total.
kaylam87 - Jul 4, 2017 11:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2016
Gimme ShelterGreat hike, but very windy at the top. Glad to have those little dugouts! Took the Rocky Canyon route.
BobD3 - Aug 10, 2016 9:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2016
WindFrom Twin Bridges. Wind really picked up after 10 AM. Probably 60+ mph the last 1000 ft. up. At the summit the wind subsided and the views were pretty nice.
Had a little difficulty on the return, cliffed out once, but backtracked, and all it all worked out peaches.
hgrapid - Jul 30, 2016 11:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2016
Up Rocky Canyon down to Aloha LakeUp Rocky Canyon down to Aloha Lake. Took 2 hours and 10 minutes from Rocky Canyon. After Aloha Lake we descended via Horsetail Falls.