Southeast Ridge

Approach

From the Bear Valley trailhead (6800 ft) hike 2.5 miles until you reach a fork (~7680 ft). Take the right fork towards Buck lakes for another 2 miles to lake 8474 which is the largest of the Buck lakes. There will be a large horse camp here. From hear work your way around the east end of the lake 8474 and roughly follow the creek flowing into it up 500 vertical ft and .5 miles to the next buck lake (buck lake #2). This section is a cross country haul with no established trail. There is limited camping space on this lake. The best location is at the southwestern end of the lake.

Route Description

From Buck Lake #2 at approx 9,000ft follow the creek flowing into it from above. The fastest way up this initial section is a short class 3 scramble up the right sided of the creek. At the top of this section, you will be presented with a high mountain meadow. Bear right and up another short section of class 2/3 scrambling to get to Buck lake #1 – the highest and most picturesque of the buck lakes. This section will take you about 20 minutes.

Skirt around the right (north) side of the lake up to a ridge just above the lake. At this point you will be in full view of your objective, as well as an expansive talus field that you will have to cross. Luckily the talus is very stable, and mostly class 2. Head up the talus field to a saddle on the Southeast Ridge. From here follow the ridge up northwest to the summit. The summit is marked by a large summit cairn. I could not find any summit Register. There is a USGS summit marker a few feet from the Cairn.

Essential Gear

Nothing special

Miscellaneous Info

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Images

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