TR: Olancha Pass Day Hike 4/6/2018
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:16 am
I took a quick hike up Olancha Pass to get a gauge on my fitness level and see what the conditions were like at the higher elevations. I'm considering a PCT section G hike in May. I've never been up Olancha Pass and actually didn't realize there was an established trail until a friend mentioned it over dinner a week ago. I'm glad I listened to him. It was a good way to spend a day and also a great way to access the southern Sierra.
The trailhead is easy to access via the Sage Flat road south of Olancha. It's paved about half of the 5 mile distance and the remaining dirt section is currently well graded. Typical cars will have no problem.
The trailhead is reported to be about 5800'. It's located in a section of oaks and there are camp-able spots to be found. A small stream was flowing when I visited but I'd guess it's seasonal.
The trail begins a steady and relatively steep climb from the trailhead. It made me think of Baxter, Taboose and Sawmill pass trails. The first part of the trail is apparently also used as a cattle run, but I saw no evidence of cattle, not even a well-desiccated patty. Eventually you hit a Y with the cattle run staying lower near the creek and the hiker trail going up towards a long series of switchbacks. The trail maintains a steady climb with occasional views of the Owens Valley and Haiwee Reservoir. Eventually pines start mixing in with the oak. The trail was mostly dry but there was a small section in the trees and near the summit that was covered with snow. It is easily passable without any gear. It is deep enough to posthole in some some spots but these are relatively short sections. Eventually I reached the summit at about 9200'. I've read it's about 5 to 5.5 miles one way from the trailhead and that seemed about right. The sign actually says "Haiwee Pass" with an arrow pointing south to the Haiwee Pass trail. The upper half that probably used to say "Olancha Pass" is split off. Summit Meadow has a thin layer of patchy snow and a stream flowing through it. I walked along it for a while intending to go to the intersection of the PCT, but the forecast winds started picking up and I really wasn't interested in hiking through a gale so I turned back and headed back down the trail. This was a nice early season day hike that I'll likely repeat in years to come.
The trailhead is easy to access via the Sage Flat road south of Olancha. It's paved about half of the 5 mile distance and the remaining dirt section is currently well graded. Typical cars will have no problem.
The trailhead is reported to be about 5800'. It's located in a section of oaks and there are camp-able spots to be found. A small stream was flowing when I visited but I'd guess it's seasonal.
The trail begins a steady and relatively steep climb from the trailhead. It made me think of Baxter, Taboose and Sawmill pass trails. The first part of the trail is apparently also used as a cattle run, but I saw no evidence of cattle, not even a well-desiccated patty. Eventually you hit a Y with the cattle run staying lower near the creek and the hiker trail going up towards a long series of switchbacks. The trail maintains a steady climb with occasional views of the Owens Valley and Haiwee Reservoir. Eventually pines start mixing in with the oak. The trail was mostly dry but there was a small section in the trees and near the summit that was covered with snow. It is easily passable without any gear. It is deep enough to posthole in some some spots but these are relatively short sections. Eventually I reached the summit at about 9200'. I've read it's about 5 to 5.5 miles one way from the trailhead and that seemed about right. The sign actually says "Haiwee Pass" with an arrow pointing south to the Haiwee Pass trail. The upper half that probably used to say "Olancha Pass" is split off. Summit Meadow has a thin layer of patchy snow and a stream flowing through it. I walked along it for a while intending to go to the intersection of the PCT, but the forecast winds started picking up and I really wasn't interested in hiking through a gale so I turned back and headed back down the trail. This was a nice early season day hike that I'll likely repeat in years to come.