Trip Report
Recess Peak, September 10-12, 2010.
Thursday July 21, 2011 1:48pm
As the date implies I am a slacker, but hopefully this TR will get one of you up there. Overall it was a mellow hike to base camp (circa 8 miles) with the typical pines, cedars, and firs hiding little meadows and streams. The peaks can only stay hidden for so long, though.
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Kenny Rose with his son Charlie
Kenny Rose with his son Charlie
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Volcanic rubble at last light
Volcanic rubble at last light
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Recess Peak in the morning
Recess Peak in the morning
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20 minutes after this last pic and we were at base camp, maybe 10,000'. A quick breakfastand then we decided the easiest (no ropes or gear) approach and went for it.
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Looking down at base camp
Looking down at base camp
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Recess from South West
Recess from South West
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Seven Gables
Seven Gables
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Looking East from the final approach
Looking East from the final approach
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Final approach
Final approach
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Adu enjoying the view
Adu enjoying the view
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Looking NE
Looking NE
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Looking back down the approach and base camp
Looking back down the approach and base camp
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Self portrait
Self portrait
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Sitting on my ass at base
Sitting on my ass at base
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Changing light
Changing light
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Time to go back to "real life"
Time to go back to "real life"
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The trip took us 45 hrs car-to-car, with about 25 miles logged. I highly recommend this peak or anything in the Silver Divide for that matter. Head up 168 to Kaiser Pass and then to Edison Lake. Park at Edison Lake Dam the trailhead will be on your right. You cross the PCT, but never use it and cross country from there towards the peak.
The last pics are from Shuteye taken a couple months before the trip.
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The Silver Divide, Recess on the left
The Silver Divide, Recess on the left
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Regards,
Justin


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About the Author
this just in is a climber from north fork.

Comments
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
  Jul 21, 2011 - 02:25pm PT
Thank you for that TR. Recess Peak always interested me because it is so far west of the Sierra Crest, but still is relatively high, and has no trivial routes. I always felt that there had to be some interesting technical possibilities there, and your photos confirm that.

I've only been in the area once, though, backpacking with my daughters fifteen years ago, so I particularly appreciate your photos of the peak, which are the first relatively close-up ones I've seen.

John
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Jul 21, 2011 - 02:33pm PT
Sweet Talus Piles TJI!!

How dare thee cast climbing content upon this, the most holy of political intrigue sites?

May the fleas of a thousand camels infest all your man-fur!!

Awesome pictures bro! Please keep them coming.
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climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
Author's Reply  Jul 21, 2011 - 03:05pm PT
John- The best part about approaching the Sierra Peaks from the west is you don't see anyone up there. If you like being in the middle of nowhere with no one around, this is as good as it gets. Hope you get back up in the area, soon

Survival- I almost included LEB in the title to get more views but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Glad you enjoyed the pics, I'll add some more later. Ain't you heading out west to these hills soon?
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Jul 21, 2011 - 03:26pm PT
Indeed I am. Whirlwind tours R us. I'll get a couple days of climbing if I'm lucky. Mostly hiking with the family up high.

Then it's off to watch a cuz get married...*sigh*....

We do what we gotta do what we gotta do.

Edit: Once I titled a thread "Rush Limbaugh Is Ghey" just to get people to look at my daughter's art. Sad to say it worked.

Love those evening shots!!

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climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
Author's Reply  Jul 21, 2011 - 04:20pm PT
Rush Limbaugh is ghey, that's funny. Good one.
Have a good vacation Bruce, the weather has been perfect lately and bring back a TR.
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Jul 21, 2011 - 04:01pm PT
Georgeous pics, TFPU!!!!
Gene

climber
  Jul 21, 2011 - 04:13pm PT
What a fun trip. TFPU. The lack of folks on a west side approach is definitely something I'm gonna think about. Fewer permit issues as well.
Sonic

Trad climber
Golden, Co
  Jul 21, 2011 - 04:16pm PT
Fun Peak. Did it a couple years ago. If you have extra time I highly recommend going up the slightly longer approach up bear creek, just before Edison. Some awesome sandy spots along side the stream, and fishing too!
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
  Jul 21, 2011 - 04:30pm PT
Is there any finer range than the Sierra? If there is, I don't want to know about it. Thanks for sharing.
nutjob

Sport climber
Almost to Hollywood, Baby!
  Jul 21, 2011 - 04:31pm PT
Wow, that's some wild broken rock with an approach to scare off the average weekend warrior! Great looking adventure to a cool spot.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Jul 21, 2011 - 04:47pm PT
TJI. that 7th shot down into the 2nd set is a real beauty!

Ever consider putting them on photobucket so you can put up larger versions?

Like this? I just played with it a little. May not have done it right.
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climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
Author's Reply  Jul 21, 2011 - 05:11pm PT
Survival- I am trying to delete some old photos, so putting them on there is a good idea. I'll check it out.

Sonic- My back is hurt right now, but the plan is to go into Lake Italy this September, using the trail you described and for sure will bring a fishing pole, thanks.

Fat Dad- I couldn't agree with you more.

Thanks for all your comments.
tom woods

Gym climber
Bishop, CA
  Jul 21, 2011 - 07:42pm PT
Cool. I just traced your route on my wall o' maps.
Gene

climber
  Jul 21, 2011 - 07:45pm PT
My back is hurt right now,


Heal up quickly and well, TJI. Those hills are calling you...

Best wishes,
g
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Jul 21, 2011 - 10:30pm PT
Evening crowd cool photo TJI bump!!!
Captain...or Skully

climber
Boise, ID
  Jul 21, 2011 - 10:35pm PT
Fabulous stuff, TJI.
WooHoo! Gettin' out there, ya'll!!!!3!!
doughnutnational

Gym climber
its nice here in the spring
  Jun 28, 2012 - 02:42pm PT
I just returned from Recess Peak after failing on the 3rd class ridge in Justin's picture last year (3rd class as per Roper's guide). Then continued on over Recess peak and climbed Hilgard from Hilgard lake. Great trip in a great area. A nice change from hiking with hundreds in Yosemite last week.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Jun 28, 2012 - 02:48pm PT
Aha! Timely bump thee indeed!
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climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
Author's Reply  Jun 28, 2012 - 06:28pm PT
Yeah Ludwig. That's cool you made it up there, I did Graveyard peak the week before last and I kept looking @ the silver divide. Really a cool place. But only one picture? Quit holding out.
doughnutnational

Gym climber
its nice here in the spring
  Jun 28, 2012 - 09:06pm PT
I don't take many photos and they usually suck, but here's one to show how cold it was(it was also windy).And another to show the 4th class buttress on the shoulder of Hilgard which was the highlight of the trip for meTJI, you interested in day hiking Mt. Hooper?
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climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
Author's Reply  Jun 28, 2012 - 10:09pm PT
Yeah I am down Kevin. Pretty sure next weekend I could do it. That 4th class looks pretty fun. Let me know about Hooper.
Zander

climber
  Jun 28, 2012 - 10:27pm PT
Beautiful Pics!
Adventure!
Thanks,
Zander
tollsar

climber
who me?
  Jun 30, 2012 - 02:20pm PT
What's up brother, man you are a slacker! Yaaiinnnt! Looking at those pics made me almost quit my job, come home and hike straight up there! (sweating my ass off in Arizona currently) hey man let me know what your plans are this summer cause I'm down to say f*#k work and come with you guys!
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climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
Author's Reply  Jun 30, 2012 - 02:29pm PT
What'sup Mac! Yaiiiiiint. Anytime you can get away from them fires let's go. I wanna do Ritter from my side of the river. Hope you are doin good and r getting home soon. Laters
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