TR 3 OGULS Raymond, The Nipple and Markleeville
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:22 am
10/24/2014 3 OGULS
Raymond peak 6.5 miles 2152 elevation gain 3:40 hours
Started at the Pacific Crest trail by lower sunset lake cold and windy but I knew that was going to be the case. I wanted to do it before Blue Lakes road closed for the winter. Took the PCT past the wet meadows turn off went a little further to a pass, to where one is supposed to take a old road to the right I could see the road on the left so looked around on the right…nothing so went up the trail then on the right logs across an old trail very hard to see but once on it can tell it was a road, supposed to follow it to the end, not sure that I did..maybe I just headed towards Raymond ended up climbing then traversing to the right then up a chute with a small use trail. Got to the small saddle with no easy way to the top dropped off the other side and traversed under the summit block to an easy way up, signed the register took some pictures, it was cold and VERY windy. Looked down the side I came up for an easier more direct way, not sure if easier or more direct but just dropped off west from summit block straight down traversing right some back to the old road and out. Saw no one except when I got back to my car 1 guy hiking on the PCT.
The Nipple 2.43 miles 1003 elevation gain 1:25 hours
I parked on a little dirt road where you can see the Nipple went cross country and gained the saddle, got on the PCT and followed it, I think way too far turned right and made for the ridge then to the top. Signed the register. The way down I just went straight off the peak for the PCT and back the way I came. By the time I hit the ridge the wind was howling almost could not stand up at the top. Awesome views. Markleeville Peak 2.69 miles 1390 elevation gain 1:49 hours
Parked on a small dirt road on the left as you come in from blue lakes road if I was to do over I would go a little further up the road and just pull off and park, almost anywhere works. Paralleled the road to reach a kind of ridge then headed up heading for the saddle between Markleeville and the peak to the right of it. There is a use trail at the bottom of the scree under the peak to the right just work left to the saddle and then up to the peak. On the way up met some hikers they said they could not make the peak due to wind which they estimated to be 80 MPH, I did make it with the help of my poles, beanie, gloves, and windbreaker and concurred with their assumption of 80mph! I could write in the register as there was a small wind break. Descended pretty much straight back to the car as fast as possible happy to be out of the wind. Did some research later and found that on Red Lake Peak not to far away there was indeed 80-90 mph gusts with sustained 40-60 mph winds in the time frame I was on the peak! Anyway awesome day with 3 OGUL peaks I have done 41 now.
Kristine
Raymond peak 6.5 miles 2152 elevation gain 3:40 hours
Started at the Pacific Crest trail by lower sunset lake cold and windy but I knew that was going to be the case. I wanted to do it before Blue Lakes road closed for the winter. Took the PCT past the wet meadows turn off went a little further to a pass, to where one is supposed to take a old road to the right I could see the road on the left so looked around on the right…nothing so went up the trail then on the right logs across an old trail very hard to see but once on it can tell it was a road, supposed to follow it to the end, not sure that I did..maybe I just headed towards Raymond ended up climbing then traversing to the right then up a chute with a small use trail. Got to the small saddle with no easy way to the top dropped off the other side and traversed under the summit block to an easy way up, signed the register took some pictures, it was cold and VERY windy. Looked down the side I came up for an easier more direct way, not sure if easier or more direct but just dropped off west from summit block straight down traversing right some back to the old road and out. Saw no one except when I got back to my car 1 guy hiking on the PCT.
The Nipple 2.43 miles 1003 elevation gain 1:25 hours
I parked on a little dirt road where you can see the Nipple went cross country and gained the saddle, got on the PCT and followed it, I think way too far turned right and made for the ridge then to the top. Signed the register. The way down I just went straight off the peak for the PCT and back the way I came. By the time I hit the ridge the wind was howling almost could not stand up at the top. Awesome views. Markleeville Peak 2.69 miles 1390 elevation gain 1:49 hours
Parked on a small dirt road on the left as you come in from blue lakes road if I was to do over I would go a little further up the road and just pull off and park, almost anywhere works. Paralleled the road to reach a kind of ridge then headed up heading for the saddle between Markleeville and the peak to the right of it. There is a use trail at the bottom of the scree under the peak to the right just work left to the saddle and then up to the peak. On the way up met some hikers they said they could not make the peak due to wind which they estimated to be 80 MPH, I did make it with the help of my poles, beanie, gloves, and windbreaker and concurred with their assumption of 80mph! I could write in the register as there was a small wind break. Descended pretty much straight back to the car as fast as possible happy to be out of the wind. Did some research later and found that on Red Lake Peak not to far away there was indeed 80-90 mph gusts with sustained 40-60 mph winds in the time frame I was on the peak! Anyway awesome day with 3 OGUL peaks I have done 41 now.
Kristine