Parked at the paved pullout trailhead for Wonoga Peak.
I started off up the right side of the creek - couldn't see a trail yet.
The road to Horseshoe meadows.
I followed a very faint use trail for a couple hundred feet.
Rock formations on either side of the creek.
Eventually I found the remains of an old trail and followed in for a short distance until coming across this campsite.
From the campsite I turned up this gentle slope - the peak is behind the trees on the right.
There is a bit of manzanita overgrowth but in general it's a pretty easy walk up the slope.
I originally thought the smaller rock pile in the middle was the summit but it's the larger one on the right.
Summit is the pile just right of center. I'm just walking along sandy terrain.
Getting closer to the summit and starting to wonder how to get up on the pile of rocks. I decide to head to the saddle on the right. (south of the summit pile)
Looking west towards tomorrow's destination, Trail Peak.
Closer to the summit. I'm following footprints towards saddle (out of sight to the right) and hope I'll see a good route from there.
From the saddle I turn north towards the summit. I'm still not seeing a route but nothing is holding me back so I keep going.
From the saddle there is an incredible view down on the dry Owens Lake. The afternoon's storms are still clearing.
Looking west from the summit ridge.
Looking south towards Edge of the World Peak
Heading up through some talus, looking towards the summit block.
Looking back down, about 6000 ft below
This is the summit block route I find. A class 3 set of cracks that fit together kind of like a ladder.
The crux move - about a 5 foot long crack. Wedged my foot in and stepped up, being careful to memorize the moves that worked since I was by myself.
The route I took up
View from the summit to the north. Clearing storms.
Summit pile
Looking down the north ridge. I ended up going down this way - there was an easy use trail that circled around from the north ridge, then south along the east side of the peak right back to where I had started up the cracks. Oops.
Lone Pine below, with the Inyos across the valley.
Summit cairn with the teeth of the whitney ridge poking up in the distance.
Wider shot from the summit. Still several storms clearing out.
View to the south.
Owens Lake waaaay down there.
Wonoga Benchmark
Lots of familiar names
My first peak after injury. I am so happy!
Wooo! Mountains!
Looking back towards the saddle.
Coming down I took a more direct line through the south ridge rocks. Should have gone back to the saddle - got caught up in some brush.
Most of the slope from the old trail along the creek was like this - really easy.
Looking back up at the summit.
An old Golden Trout Wilderness boundary sign.
Back down to the creek.
Back at the car.
Up at the Horseshoe Meadows parking area, I'll camp here for the night.
The outback has tons of space for sleeping and gear.
Comfy.
Saturday morning, starting down the trail under interesting skies. I'm heading for trail peak.