Alta Peak
(Elevation 11,208’)
Dale Matson
Hike Route From Wolverton To Alta Peak
A recent hike to Pear Lake reminded me of a day hike to Alta
Peak a few years ago with a couple of Fresno friends Jim and Chris. It was late
September and the annual storms had not replenished the mountain snow yet. As I
reviewed the photographs, it reminded me of how, once above tree line, the
stark granite dominates all that the eyes behold. The morning air was typical
for Sequoia Park with a brownish layer of haze and pollution hanging over the
horizon. The best opportunities for photographs were in the afternoon.
The Ubiquitous Pack Trains Along The Trails
Morning Haze Along The Great Divide
Jim Leading Chris Up The Trail
The hike to Alta Peak begins from the same Wolverton trailhead
(elevation 7,300’) south of Lodgepole on the General’s Highway as the Pear Lake
Hike. Wolverton is about 2 hours ESE of Fresno taking highway 180 east and the
General’s Highway south to Wolverton. The overall hike is about 14 miles round
trip with about 4,000’ of elevation gain. In addition to the summit views, one
can see the great divide along the route. Unlike the hike to Pear Lake, do not depend on water resupply sources
along the way to Alta Peak. I recorded the hike time as 4 hours up, 1 hour on
top and 3 hours down. While this is not as much altitude gain as the Half Dome
hike or as much distance, it was not much less strenuous because Alta Peak is
over 2,000’ higher than Half Dome. The “walk up” near the top is not what a
friend told me. There is a considerable amount of bouldering near the end which
reminds me of the exposed feeling one gets on Mt. Hoffman in Yosemite.
Me In One Of My Favorite Shirts
Pear Lake
Pear And Emerald Lakes
Chris Dwarfed By Tharp Rock
On Top Of Alta Peak
When we did this hike, I didn't have a telephoto lens on my
camera but the ranger cabin can be seen from Alta peak in addition to Pear Lake
and Emerald Lake. Tharp Rock is an obvious landmark along the way. Those who
have a fear of edges may be uncomfortable along portions of the trail near
Panther Gap.
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