Page 1 of 1

Thor Peak

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 10:34 am
by Sean
Cecelia had a couple days off work, so we drove up to the Eastern Sierras for a little scramble to Thor Peak, which rises to 12,300 feet amid the Lone Pine Creek drainage system, a bit east of Mt. Whitney. We found a good parking spot next to the trailhead at Whitney Portal and began hiking around 8:30am.

DSC01292.JPG


There is a scale at the starting point which some people use to weigh their packs. I had never bothered with it before, but this time I bothered. I put my pack on the hook. The gauge read 20 pounds.

Cecelia had been on the Whitney Trail once before, but only when it was dark. So this time she enjoyed being able to see everything.

DSC01295.JPG

(Thor Peak in the background.)

DSC01309.JPG

(Crossing the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek.)

DSC01310.JPG

(Entering the John Muir Wilderness area.)

We saw lots of small animals on this trip. During a snack break, a friendly Steller's jay came begging for food.

DSC01318.JPG


I had read about some class 2 approaches to Thor from the east side. So we followed the trail as it switchbacked up toward the main fork of Lone Pine Creek. Then, looking up at the options, I noticed a steep gully with a gigantic boulder choking off part of the route.

DSC01312.JPG


Naturally, that seemed like the perfect amount of challenge, so up we went, leaving the trail about a half-mile before the creek crossing.

DSC01329_stitch.jpg


DSC01332.JPG


Some of the climbing rated class 3. Bypassing the big boulder tested Cecelia's ability to control fear, but she eventually passed the exam.

DSC01333.JPG

(Chockstone bypass on the left.)

After this obstacle the steepness mellowed a little. We followed an animal track to some ledges.

DSC01349.JPG


The ledges helped us bypass sections very thick with vegetation. But then the rocks became too difficult to manage, and we decided to push through some of the heavier growth around a damp spring area.

Above the spring the vegetation thinned out again. We reached an overlook point and could see Lone Pine Lake below.

DSC01360_stitch.jpg


I noticed a good-sized bird casually foraging on the ground nearby. I think it's called a sooty grouse.

DSC01369.JPG


Eventually we came out of the gully and found ourselves on the broad, northeast slope/ridge of Thor Peak.

DSC01372_stitch.jpg


DSC01370.JPG


Several points can be seen from a distance, but the true summit remains hidden in the back until the very final approach.

DSC01378.JPG

(False point before the true one.)

DSC01395.JPG

(Thor Peak summit in foreground with Irvine and McAdie in background.)

DSC01396.JPG


Thor Peak reminded me of the view from Telegraph, because you are surrounded by other impressive, high peaks. In addition to Irvine and McAdie to the south, to the north are Russell and Carillon.

DSC01384.JPG


And to the west, of course, stands mighty Mt. Whitney.

DSC01383.JPG


It was such a beautiful and clear day. The threat of high winds never materialized, and we stayed in shorts and t-shirts during the whole ascent.

For the return route, we negotiated the scree slopes down to Lower Boy Scout Lake.

DSC01413.JPG


DSC01425.JPG


DSC01430_stitch.jpg


A family of marmots greeted us in the north fork, but they were too far away in the shadows to get a good picture.

We tried to keep a good pace down the Mountaineer's Route, so that we could get past the Ebersbacher Ledges before dark.

DSC01438.JPG


DSC01441.JPG


The mosquitoes felt like protesting our presence along the creek. I donned the head net while Cecelia wrapped the bandana around her face.

DSC01446.JPG


We made it past the lower north fork creek crossings before sunlight completely faded. The river was high, requiring us to get our socks and shoes soaked.

DSC01447.JPG


Then, by headlamp, we continued the rest of the way to the car. At the Portal I weighed my pack again. It was now ten pounds lighter than when we started.

Thor Peak route.jpg

Re: Thor Peak

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:03 pm
by Girl Hiker
Thank you for showing me the awesome Mountaineer's route. This was by far my toughest hike ascending that gully with some awesome rock climbing obstacles that were challenging, but I am happy that I succeeded. This hike kicked ass!

Re: Thor Peak

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 1:50 pm
by Girl Hiker
More pics from our fun hike.
20180628_104946.jpg
20180628_181148.jpg
20180628_175303.jpg
it's very important to read maps!

Re: Thor Peak

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 10:34 am
by JeffH
That's an interesting route. I never thought of going over from one trail to the other. I think I've only gone up the main trail once in the light - it's hot in the morning sun!
And you didn't mention picking up a Whitney Zone permit. :)