SSW Ridge low

Lots of fun scrambling, with opportunities to try short 5th class climbing sequences.

. . Leads to a quick straightforward connection to the easier and fun scrambling much longer of the

the Mt Starr summit ridge

.

. . Shorter approach than most other scrambling/climbing routes in Little Lakes Valley / Rock Creek area -- mostly on well-maintained hiking trail starting from trailhead parking higher than most for the Sierra mountain range.

Scramble up the rocks, seeking out more interesting climbing sequences on different rock features along the way.

. . (Perhaps with lots of weaving around, the maximum difficulty could be kept as low as 3rd class, but the point of this route is find interesting climbing).

• • . .

See route on Map

. . - -

When reach a small notch (N37.4207 W118.7718) at the top of the rock section, next hike up on sand/scree first NNE then SE to reach a fine viewpoint (N37.4211 W118.7705) at the south end of the Mt Starr summit ridge.

. . (The scrambling/climbing part goes uphill about 460 vertical feet, in addition to the approach up scree from hiking trail).

. . (

SummitPost.org

calls this route the "south ridge").

Option to continue on

the summit ridge

going roughly north up to the summit (recommended). Or down NNW on non-steep scree/sand to near Mono Pass (N37.4253 W118.7728), then return to Parking on the maintained trail.

The rock of this ridge meets the well-maintained Mono Pass hiking trail - [

see on Map

] - around GPS latitude longitude (N37.4186 W118.7723) -- at the end of a long roughly horizontal section going ENE to WSW -- just before the trail curves right around the corner to head north for Mono Pass.

. . (for trailhead Parking and getting on trail,

see under Getting There on the Mt Starr area page

).

No fixed protection.

Protection for Trad leading is unknown and likely inadequate.