Continue on the right fork of the PCT, going south around Lake Aloha. Shortly after coming down all the switchbacks, the Mosquito Pass trail hits the PCT. At Mosquito Pass, turn right (south) to head towards Lake Aloha. Head east on the slabs until you reach Mosquito Pass. Wet, granite slab is not a fun place to be.

Don’t get caught on the slabs in the rain. It is not a straight forward down from the Pyramid to Price traverse. From above, the slabs look like a piece of cake, but they undulate and cliff out often. These slabs are a long slog, despite the hard stuff being over. Priceįrom here, head down talus and scree on a faint use trail until you reach the slabs. You can climb down the first one, but the second one is much easier. Once you are below the ridge, continue east until you can climb gain the North Ridge of Price. Price, follow the West Ridge until you find a slightly exposed third class down climb on the north side of the ridge. Price.ĭon’t forget to sign the register! The Descent from Mt. There’s a faint use trail through the dirt to the talus of Mt. It’s easier to stay off the ridge, since this section is a little brushy. To get there quickly, hustle down the talus of Mt. Agassiz, it’s primarily 2nd class with a little bit of 3rd class.

We couldn’t find a summit register, but we also did not look very hard, since there was a storm blowing in quickly. There’s easier class 3 climbing to the summit here. Then walk to the north side of the summit block. To get to the summit of Agassiz, head through the notch. The final section up to Agassiz is quite loose and filled with scree. Choose your own adventure! If it’s too exposed, drop down below the ridge and keep traversing. It’s all 3rd class climbing after Peak 9686. Agassizįollow the ridge line for maximum fun and exposure. This class 4 step (that is more like a little ladder) is the most difficult climbing you’ll do on this entire traverse. If something looks too difficult to climb, it probably is too difficult to be what you are looking for. Most folks refer to this as the “class 4 step”. The crux of the traverse, looking for the 4th class climb onto the top of the ridgeīetween Pyramid Peak and Peak 9686, there’s a little tower that you need to climb. Stay close to the ridge as you get lower. Agassiz from Pyramid Peakįrom the summit of Pyramid Peak, pick your way through the talus on the North Ridge of Pyramid Peak. From the talus, just go straight up until you reach the summit. There is a well-marked and well-worn use trail to the talus at the base of Pyramid Peak. This hike gains 4100′ in 4.25 miles to the summit of Pyramid Peak. There is also very little parking, so get here early in the morning if you are attempting the Pyramid Peak to Price traverse. This trailhead is busy because of those two attributes. The fastest way to the summit of Pyramid Peak is via Rocky Canyon. Pyramid to Price Traverse from Lake AlohaĬrystal Range from Robbs Mountain Hut The Approach to Pyramid Peak The total length of this traverse is approximately 16 miles, but is highly dependent on you not getting lost when off trail. After Price, this drops to Lake Aloha and follows Pyramid Creek out to Highway 50. It traverses south to north from Pyramid to Agassiz and Price.

This version of the Pyramid Peak to Price traverse enters via Rocky Canyon, the shortest and steepest way up Pyramid Peak. If you’re not feeling too spicy, stay below the ridge line and travel across talus and scree instead. If you stick to following the ridge line, you’ll get some fun, heart stopping exposure. Exposure is something controlled entirely by you. It travels mostly over 3rd class terrain, but does have one small section of class 4 climbing. The Pyramid Peak to Price Traverse is as adventurous as you make it. Here’s everything you need to know about the Pyramid Peak to Price Traverse. Getting out of the traverse is the toughest part. Desolation Wilderness from its lakes is great and all, but have you experienced it from above? The Pyramid to Price Traverse is a 3rd/4th class scramble along the Crystal Range. Visible from Sacramento on a clear day, the Crystal Range is one of the most stunning ranges in the Lake Tahoe area.

Stick ranger pyramid