All Locations > California > High Sierra > 08 - Bishop Pass & Ev…

Cyclorama Wall Climbing

Climbing Area Map

This area is empty. Areas can contain sub-areas or routes, but not both.

Before adding a route, consider if you should first add a sub-area (or several) to this area.

Add Sub-Area · Add Route

Explore this area in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	12,860 ft
GPS:	37.0081, -118.50509 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	2,271 total · 18/month
Shared By:	Shaun Reed on Aug 23, 2013
Admins:	Chris Owen, Lurk Er, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Description

"This obscure summit, located in the middle of a netherworld between the Palisades and Leconte Canyon, is a mile-wide, 1000-foot, vertical wall every bit as impressive as the Diamond on Longs Peak. To reach it, one must cross either three or four passes over 12,000 feet and travel cross-country for most of twenty miles. Even this inaccessibility would not have deterred determined climbers, were the face visible from traveled areas." - Galen A. Rowell from the 1979 American Alpine Journal

Cyclorama Wall is the north face of the Peak 12,860, rising above the Dumbbell Lakes in King's Canyon. The wall is generally shady most of the day, but does get late afternoon sun. Cyclorama Wall is likely one of the most secluded places in the Sierras.

Getting There

There are at least three different ways to access Cyclorama Wall. The first ascent party came in via South Fork Pass to Mather Pass. This is the shortest way in but has a lot of elevation change with much of it off trail.

A second way in is about 20+ miles, with most of the approach on a good trail. Come in via Bishop Pass, then either stay on the trail and head down to Leconte Canyon and the JMT or go off trail up and over Knapsack Pass. Either way, head up to Amphitheater Lake and over Cataract Pass. This is how we went in and seemed reasonable with our big packs.

The third way in is to go in via Taboose Pass to the JMT, then over to near Bench Lake, up over Cartridge Pass, then Dumbbell Pass.