Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Olancha Peak From Monache Meadows?

I've had this in mind for quite a while now and was wondering where the PCT would be in this photo?

How many x-c miles to get to it?

If the river crossing weren't quite so deep, I would have been able to get a lot closer. Maybe later in the season?

Looks like about 5 miles just to reach the PCT - from where this shot was taken - I would think it would still be faster to summit Olancha from Sage Flats.

Can't exactly tell where you are, but yes it would be a little hike across Monache - a few easy miles. If you can cross the river and get to more or less the NE corner of Monache, it isn't too far from PCT. I'm sure sage flat is closer, but the hike from Monache is nice and not too much further. Not sure what you were driving, but suprised you couldn't cross. Normally the drive there is the worst part. Haven't been there in a few years though.

(disclaimer: going off memory, need to verify on map)

Thanks guys.

I was riding a Honda CRF-230L. (Only 8 inches of clearance to the engine.) I didn't walk the crossing, but it looked like it was about 2 feet deep.

I found a few good references on Olancha:

http://climber.org/TripReports/2005/1460.html (Specific to the western approach.)

http://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_reports/olancha_1.html (Bob discusses the western approach, although he climbed from Sage Flat.)

The reason I want to do it from the west is that the terrain is much more interesting (seen enough of the "desert" during my workouts in the Owens Peak Wilderness) and it's probably more than a few degrees cooler at Monache.

Usually crossing isn't that deep this late in the year, maybe 6-12" (I recall it being wide and flat at the crossing) but like I said it's been a few years. You are correct about the scenery from the west.

There was a family of riders taking a break for snacks at the crossing. I didn't want them to "lose their lunch" by exposing my legs to test the waters.

I'm sure it will get shallower as time goes on. No rush on this. I'd just like to get it done before the snows come in a few months.

Richard,
Back in the early 1980s the club I used to ride with regularly crossed the Kern near Dutch John Flats and rode up the east and north of the river to the old landing strip in Monache Meadows. That was near the PCT and Olancha Pk. The group was made up of very experienced riders and we often had someone water out at the crossing - remove spark plug, turn machine over , drain water, restart. I was on a CR250 Honda with about the same clearance you have. That all may be closed turf now.The crossing was just west of Haiwee Pass. Many of the places you have been visiting lately were still OK to ride back then and I also remember riding to Siretta Pk.

If you can make it across the river, it is only 4.5 miles to the summit via Monache Creek. You don't have to use the PCT at all. If you can't get your motorcycle across the river, add 1 mile each way to the hike. The river is usually pretty shallow in the fall. However, in fall the area is very active with deer hunters, so expect gunfire and try not to look like a deer.

Would have liked to see that...

Based on what I've read, I just need to pick a day. (Since it's such a long ride in, it'll have to be before the days get too short.)