July 21, 2007
Indian Rock East Ridge Scramble - South Lake Tahoe, CA
Joe, Jesse
Jesse at the top of the Fallen Angel section, with a decent backdrop behind him
Although I've skied the steep and long couloirs on both sides of Indian Rock in the Winter, I've always longed to explore this big old hunk of stone above Fallen Leaf Lake in the Summertime. Since my longtime childhood buddy and former partner in crime Jesse was in town, why not give it a go on this fine July morning?
The view from near our starting point at the Fire Station at Fallen Leaf Lake. Our original objective was the ridge on the right skyline, but it proved a little too steep and exposed for these two hiker-dads without any gear or beer. We ended up crossing to the other side of the Fallen Angel couloir and scrambling the less threatening East ridge to the top.
The unmarked Tamarack trail leaves the road about 1/4 to 1/2 mile before the Glen Alpine TH parking lot. It is obscure, but one of my favorite little Tahoe trails. Cool lower lush section with a couple of big old arbors.
We left the trail after about 1 mile of hiking and bushwhacked up towards the base of the Indian Rock ridge on the left side of the picture. Not too bad of an approach for this fine line....if only we had this kind of access in the Winter! I plan on returning to climb the main ridge on the skyline as a future endeavor.
Pre Bush Whack:
Post Bush Whack, Ready to start working the stone.
The approach route from the start of the climb. The Tamarack trail is in the sunny trees directly below the bushy area:
The lower part is a bunch of little ledges and steep gullies, and just a bit heavy on the vegies:
As you gain elevation, the nice clean granite on the ridges starts beckoning. This wild looking pyramid had a couple of really nice faces to it. It's a lot bigger than you might think when you consider the tree in the lower left corner is at least 30' tall. We ended up crossing this gully and climbing up to the blocky feature on the right side of the picture. This gully is the Fallen Angel couloir.
The rock on the other side of the Fallen Angel looked very nice too.
This little vertical challenge is why we decided to cross the Fallen Angel and work the more moderate East ridge. It would be a fun one with climbing shoes, some protection and a little more experience under the belt.
The features on the East ridge were no disappointment:
This "lounge chair" cantilevered at least 100' above the ground.
Hof enjoying the vertigo.
I guess real men would stay true to the ridge top?
Not us. But we were well entertained by this type of fine granite climbing.
Jesse likes the Sierras.
From the top of our ridge we saw the final steep headwall that Toby and I skied a few years ago to get into the Fallen Angel couloir.
Summer:
Winter:
At the top of the headwall, I came across the ultimate bivy spot with a roof and a view!
The sleeping quarters:
We topped out on the ridge to grand views in all directions.
Desolation:
Angora Peak:
The East ridge we ascended above the Fallen Angel couloir:
Summer:
Winter:
The ridge traverse from the top of Fallen Angel to the top of Halls of the Gods was a pleasant surprise. Lots of blocky scrambling with big exposure on the right side (1,000'), if you chose to stay close. Indian Rock is the largest cliff face in the Tahoe basin.
The end of our scramble in sight - top of the Halls:
The spine of the Gods:
See the flock of white birds in front of the gray cliffs of the south ridge of Tallac?
Hof with our ultimate destination in the background, Echo Peak:
A gully crossing to get to the entrance to the Halls:
Hof in the entrance to the 3rd Hall.
Summer:
Winter:
Looking back at the exposure of the final ridge traverse...if you chose to stay on the edge.
From there it was an easy walk to the top of Echo Peak. We snacked in the heat and then slide stepped our way down the loose trail to Angora Lakes, where we had to take a rewarding dip.
From Angora Lakes we completed the loop by following the road down to the Angora parking lot,then took the trail down to the Fallen Leaf Lake church and my waiting truck. Another great day in the mountains. I'll be back to this one again.
The view of Echo Peak from Upper Angora Lake.
