A classic Sierra adventure. As the SE Face as described by Secor: Leave the Piute Pass Trail below Loch Leven and climb to the base of the SE Face. There are two prominent cracks on this face, which is left (SW) of the scree chute that separates the Piute Crags from Mt. Emerson. Climb the left-hand crack (5.4). Continue up class 4 slabs to the right of the crack, followed by 100 feet of Class III. Reenter the crack for another class IV pitch. This leads to a broad chute, which is climbed for about 500 feet. Cross the rib to the left into another chute, which leads to a notch in the ridge above. Climb to the summit from the notch, passing the first gendarme on its right over Class IV ledges into another notch. Follow the Class III ridges, passing over several gendarmes, to the summit. Note- this route is VERY FUN with the crux literally feet off the ground. The Class III ridge is so airy and esthetic I wish I could do it every day.
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Trailhead:
Piute Pass Trail leaves from North Lake at 37.227742, -118.627099
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Difficulty:
5.4 - plan to place protection in the first 2 pitches - more info can be found in climbing guides
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Aesthetic Rating:
The climbing is on solid granite, the summit ridge is spectacularly airy
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Distance:
7 miles and 3,900 ft. of elevation gain
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Type:
Dayhike (climb)
