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Elevation: 13,713 ft
GPS: 37.368, -118.767 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 61,832 total · 387/month
Shared By: Chris Owen on Mar 13, 2006
Admins: Chris Owen, Lurker, M. Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer suchoski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description

This fantastic rock peak dominates Little Lakes Valley and has at least four high-quality routes to its name. Another High Sierra prerequisite summit.

Getting There

From 395 at Tom's Place drive west to Mosquito Flats. Hike along Little Lakes Valley trail to Long Lake, then follow a faint trail up to either Treasure Lakes or before reaching those lakes cut left and up to the desolate Dade Lake (4.25 miles, 1,300 feet of elevation gain).

3 Total Climbs

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Location: Bear Creek Spire Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Bear Creek Spire

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c
 94
● Northeast Ridge
Trad, Alpine
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 137
● North Arete
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 4
● East Arete
Trad, Alpine 22 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Northeast Ridge
 94
Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c Trad, Alpine
● North Arete
 137
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
● East Arete
 4
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Alpine 22 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Bear Creek Spire »

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Photos

Bear Creek Spire from the southwest at "L"<br> Lake.
Bear Creek Spire from the southwest at "L" Lake.
 7
approach to the north arete
approach to the north arete
 2
Brad and Scott view the route before we start the climb.
Brad and Scott view the route before we start t…
 5
The Spire (left of center) seen from Heart Lake
The Spire (left of center) seen from Heart Lake
 4
The Spire from a frozen Long Lake
The Spire from a frozen Long Lake
 4
The Spire in profile.
The Spire in profile.
 3
Three routes on Bear Creek Spire.
Three routes on Bear Creek Spire.
 3
Bear Creek Spire from Morgan Pass.
Bear Creek Spire from Morgan Pass.
 3
First light on Bear Creek Spire
First light on Bear Creek Spire
 5
The hike up the boulder field. What a view!
The hike up the boulder field. What a view!
 2
Chris en route to BCS
Chris en route to BCS
 2
From Mt. Morgan (S)
From Mt. Morgan (S)
 2

4 Comments

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M. Morley
Sacramento, CA
M. Morley   Sacramento, CA  
Allow approximately 4 hours for the approach if hiking at a fairly moderate pace. If you plan to climb car-to-car, count on a "Grade IV" day. Aug 20, 2007
George Bell
Boulder, CO
George Bell   Boulder, CO
Galen Rowell's name will forever be associated with this peak. He was on the first ascent of the N Arete, S Face and also a different route on the South Face, solo. The latter was completed in 24 hours, car to car, including a 40 mile bike ride to get between trailheads! He also climbed it in winter. Aug 27, 2007
PumpkinEater
Sacramento
PumpkinEater   Sacramento
The story of Rowell jumping on his stashed road bike after doing a solo FA of the S. Face of Bear Creek is one of the most inspiring pieces of Sierra-lore there is. Very cool. Jul 23, 2010
Joe Crawford
June Lake, California
Joe Crawford   June Lake, California
Approaching via Treasure Lakes is the faster, easier approach. The Supertopo beta says that Gem Lakes is easier, with less talus: this is 100% false. Sep 12, 2018