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Gladys Lake Ice Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Gladys Lake

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Elevation:	8,600 ft
GPS:	37.68446, -119.11374 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	2,287 total · 19/month
Shared By:	aleday on Jul 20, 2014
Admins:	Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Road to Agnew Meadows is closed in the winter Details

Must skin and downhill ski into the climbing area during ice season

Description

This is a seasonal crag, and ice conditions dependent on the weather: Most likely an early season snowfall, followed by a warming period to melt snow then cold trend to make the ice. Aim for late Jan/Feb. Morning sun can melt the ice, so use good judgement in planning a back country trip.

Some of the ice in the area could be scouted from the summit of mammoth mountain, a keen sense of identifying features and a good pair of binoculars.

It's a ways backcountry for ~two pitches of ice and a long skinning slog up the road back to the car, but if solitude and off-the-beaten-path is what you seek, it's a wonderful dual-sport outing.

Getting There

Park at Mammoth's main lodge, and skin to Minaret Vista. Ski down the road to Agnew meadows. If the ice is in, as you're skating across the meadows, it should be visible.

Continue across the meadows and down the summer trail area and descend to the San Joaquin River. Find a convenient place to cross, and finish skinning to the base. If the snow is good, leave some time to ski the couloir looker's left of the ice flow. You brought your skis...why not?