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granitegripper
Aug 14, 2007, 8:08 PM
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At the last minute we decided to climb at Temple Crag over labor day weekend. Yes I know, we should plan further ahead and it will be hectic. But since we are going to try to get the permits on the day of the hike in, we may have to make alternate arrangements. So here is the question, if we can't get North Fork permits, can anyone recommend alternate camping locations on the South Fork? Has anyone done the hike from South Fork to Temple Crag? Any recommendations or route (to the climb) beta will be appreciated.
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murf
Aug 14, 2007, 9:03 PM
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From South Fork to Temple Crag: First, walk in SF to Finger Lake. Second, go over South Fork Pass. Next contour around west of crest, head over Scimitar pass Then head over Contact Pass. Go down Contact and *Poof* Temple Crag. Enjoy!
(This post was edited by murf on Aug 14, 2007, 9:34 PM)
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murf
Aug 14, 2007, 9:13 PM
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OK OK old Palisades hands probably already caught me.... I skipped climbing the crest to get to Contact Pass. Here's what you *really* do: SF up the Switch Backs. Once over SB's head to Willow Lk. Cross Willow Lake an follow water course up and around Mt. Alice. Through Contact Pass and *poof* there you are!!!
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granitegripper
Aug 14, 2007, 11:51 PM
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Thanks for the beta. Have you ever camped at Finger lake or Willow lake? Can you recommend a good camping spot?
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murf
Aug 15, 2007, 3:58 AM
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GG - Look, I'm kinda playing with you. I couldn't recommend the SF for doing one of the Temple Crag routes. Unless you go up through Contact Pass and *then* camp at Third Lake. The Temple Crag routes are long enough, you'd have to Peter Croft to go from Willow or Finger in the AM and do a TC route. If you are interested, I hear the Twilight Pillar on Norman Clyde is good, haven't done it. You approach that from Finger. Cheers, Murf
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granitegripper
Aug 15, 2007, 3:50 PM
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yea, I really wont have a problem connecting the dots on the map to get from x to y. I was really looking to see if I can get an idea of travel time from a good camping spot on the south side that is within reasonable distance to TC. We got permits for entry on Sun on the north side so if the walkin doesnt work we will be ok anyway. On the map it looks do-able but if I understand what your saying, you think it is to much effort from the south side. Thanks for the info
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trenchdigger
Aug 15, 2007, 4:14 PM
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granitegripper wrote: yea, I really wont have a problem connecting the dots on the map to get from x to y. I was really looking to see if I can get an idea of travel time from a good camping spot on the south side that is within reasonable distance to TC. We got permits for entry on Sun on the north side so if the walkin doesnt work we will be ok anyway. On the map it looks do-able but if I understand what your saying, you think it is to much effort from the south side. Thanks for the info Actually I don't think it would be that bad. What would suck is all of the loose scree and talus that you'd have to climb the drainage on the south side of Temple Crag. But if you hike in far enough the first day and campe at one of the unnamed lakes on the south side of Temple Crag at around the 11700' level, on the climb day, you could just countour across the talus field to the pass with little altitude gain required, cross through the pass, and drop down to the route. The descent would be easy too... just make sure to keep far enough left to avoid the steep cliff bands directly south of the face. If you head toward Contact Pass, you can downclimb 4th class terrain to the south side of Contact pass and scramble back to camp from there.
(This post was edited by trenchdigger on Aug 15, 2007, 4:16 PM)
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