East Ridge

From the north end of Seventh Lake follow pleasant grass land and boulders heading for the low gap before the big scree slope ahead. The scree slope is best tackled on its right side where the boulders are bigger and relatively solid, this is pleasantly surprising.  One reaches a col with views of Thunder and Lightning Lake and, of course, the Palisades.

Follow a well established use trail westwards initially up the broad crest of the ridge then the trail goes to the left where it gets craggy, cairns facilitate route-finding, soon a steep but short gully leads (Class 2) to the crest of the ridge again where fun easy scrambling/hiking leads up to the plateau and joining with the North Slope.

Class 2 mostly solid blocks lead up to the summit shoulder, from here fun scrambling leads along the left side of the rocky ridge to the summit gendarme, which has a couple of exposed Class 3 moves to gain the summit.

This route starts from the Seven Lake Basin, most likely a camp at Fourth Lake, but as high as Seventh Lake - these lakes are reached from the

North Fork of Big Pine Trailhead in the Palisades

section.

Solo.