Desolation Wilderness Triple Crown…Again

[Vaca Russ]

Sorry, mschnaidt, but that is a great title! It was your report of the trip you guys made last year that inspired us to try the Triple Crown.
We set out toward our base camp at Lyons Lake.

We did some fishing (see the fishing hole) and spent the night. Early the next morning we said good bye to Lyons Lake for the day.

The hike up to Price started up granite slabs. There was some boulder hopping but we made good time. Here are my three girls enjoying the snow below Agassiz.

Sport, you are the number one girl!

Soon we found ourselves on the summit of Price.

The views were spectacular. We saw Lake Aloha with Heather and Susie below…

…And Dicks Peak and Jacks Peak just to the right of Rockbound Valley.

Then there was Smith, Wrights, Dark, Icehouse and Union Valley.

These views were great, but we had bigger fish to fry. It was off to Agassiz and Pyramid.

One down, two to go!

We needed to get on top of that summit block.

Diving Board

There is some water in the tarn below Agassiz.

Tarn Below Agassiz

To be continued…

[Vaca Russ]

It took a little boulder hopping and a little rock climbing but we got to the summit block.

This is Sport on the summit block.

We now had one more mountain to climb.

This is where things got a little different from the mschnaidt journey. Instead of heading east from the summit of Agassiz and following the ridge to Pyramid, we went south and found ourselves on top of a steep ridge. Eek

We had to climb down this fun slope.

We continued down the slope all the way to the meadow above Sylvia. This was over a 1000 foot drop.

We needed to slog our way, boulder hopping and rock climbing all of the way over the steep western slope of Pyramid. It was late afternoon and the temperature was quite warm. We had to dig down deep but eventually we made the summit!

Sport and Mika posed in front of South Lake Tahoe.

From here you have a great view of Lake of the Woods, Echo Lake and Freel and Job’s Sister in the distance. We were blessed with clear weather.

We took one last look back at Agassiz and Price.

We then started the long hike down to Sylvia and over to Lyons. The chute down to Sylvia is completely clear of ice and snow. Sylvia is chock full of mosquitoes.

It was a long day but well worth the effort. We will be ready for our trip over Lamarck down to Darwin Canyon next week. Wish us luck!

Thanks for reading our report.

-Russ

[KathyW]

I wish I lived closer to that area - it is so beautiful. Thanks for your great photos and report.

[neil d]

Russ, I've been awaiting your report after your teaser in the fishing forum. I plan to do the triple crown hike in July, but as a day hike from Lyon's Creek. I've been up Pyramid once before. We'll be doing the trip in reverse, going up Pyramid first.

Your traverse from Agassiz to Pyramid matches reports from others, that the ridge is too hairy and most folks drop down into the bowl above Sylvia. What is the 'east of Agassiz' route to which you alluded?

Also, how did your dogs do? My hiking pal wants to bring our dogs, but I nixed the idea thinking the hike was too technical for dogs. You obviously prove that to be incorrect.

Cheers,

Neil

[Vaca Russ]

Neil,

The “route east of Agassiz” is detailed on mschnaidt’s report:

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Take a look at his map detailing his route. Once they bagged Agassiz they headed directly east along the ridge. It was only then that they dropped down into the bowl.

I would recommend using his route. We left the peak of Agassiz and headed directly south. Then we realized the only way down was a very vertical decent. That 1000 foot drop and then the subsequent climb back up really hit us hard. It would really help if you could keep your elevation by staying as high up on the ridge as possible.

Starting off by bagging Pyramid first is a good idea. It’s like castrating a feed lot full of boars. Start with the big ones because you will be worn out by the time you get to the little ones.

Regarding the dogs, that is a personal choice. My dogs are very athletic. They also have a lot of trail experience. Jack Russell terriers are known for their unlimited energy. There is a lot of boulder hopping on this trip. My dogs can “jump like a Willys in four wheel drive”.

That being said…this trip kicked their little butts. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t wear out a Jack Russell. So I would be very careful about choosing to bring a dog. If you do bring dogs be sure to bring a lot of water not only for them to drink but to pour on their heads and ears to keep them cool. There are many sources of water along the way…except from the first chute at Sylvia up to the summit of Pyramid. I think I only remember one puddle for them to cool in. Remember you will also be hiking the eight additional miles to and from the trail head.

Neil, good luck! Be safe and please be sure to post a report. I am sure others would be interested in what you find. I know I will be. We may want to do this hike again in reverse!

Have Fun!

-Russ

[FeetFirst]

Ah, I love those views. Thanks for posting the pictures and beta.