Tower Peak
31 Aug - 1 Sep 1997 - by Don Martin
I led a private climb of Tower Peak on Labor Day weekend, August
30 - Sept. 1, 1997. On Saturday, August 30, we left Leavitt Meadows
Trailhead and headed south, hiking 22km south through several meadow
systems, over gently rising terrain. On our journey towards the peak, we
were treated to a stunning, picture perfect view of Tower Peak rising
above the golden meadows. It was easy to imagine that we were a party of
Pioneers emigrating on foot to Sonora. Then we traveled an additional
2km, this time up a steeper trail and camped near a meadow just below
Tower Lake. On Sun., Aug.31 we climbed the trail past beautiful Tower
Lake and up past the snowbank to a saddle on the north side of Tower.
Then we moved east to avoid another snowfield (the snowfields were too
hard to cross in the early morning without crampons.) Following the
ridgeline, we found a series of well traveled use trails over sandy
ledges and ramps that led us to within 100 meters of the summit. We
turned left, at the class three chute, and climbed it to the top, where
we enjoyed the clear view of northern Yosemite, Ritter, Banner. The
mountain is wondrously free of poor quality rock. It sports the best
quality handholds. It is truly a pleasure to climb. Permits are
self-registration at trailhead and are free.
To file a trip report, please fill in the Report Entry form or contact the webmaster.
