All Locations > California > High Sierra > 12 - Kearsarge Pass t…

Kearsarge Pinnacles 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:	11,555 ft	3,522 m
GPS:	36.76122, -118.39103 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	324 total · 15/month
Shared By:	Matt Schilowitz on Aug 12, 2023 · Updates
Admins:	Chris Owen, Lurk Er, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Description

The Kearsarge Pinnacles is a collection of bulky spires along a 1.75 mile long ridge. There are officially 12 numbered summits (but in reality many more). Pinnacle #4 is the highest at just over 12,000 feet. The most prominent is the flat topped Pinnacle #8. The ridge runs generally in a NW to SE direction. These spires are beautiful to look at from Kearsarge Lakes to the East, or from the JMT to the West, and are easily visible as soon as you cross Kearsarge Pass. From the ridge, you are afforded great views of the Northeast face of East Vidette and the Great Western Divide to the West, Junction Peak to the South, Mt. Rixford to the North, and University Peak to the East. The name Kearsarge (mount, lakes, pinnacles, pass) was derived from the name of a mine to the East, which in turn was named after the Civil War era USS Kearsarge. Ironically, that ship was named after a different Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire.

Getting There

Most will approach from Onion Vally Trailhead over Kearsarge Pass. To the base of the NW end of the ridge at Bullfrog Lake is about 7 miles. To approach the SE end of the ridge, you can climb up from the highest of the Kearsarge Lakes, or a traverse across the North Face of University Peak may be possible. It is also possible to approach from the JMT/PCT to the West. Cedar Grove is the closest trailhead from the West, at about 13 miles to Vidette Meadow.