Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark

Owens Peak Wilderness, CA

Info

Distance
12.8 mi
Elevation gain
4,000 ft
Route type
Out & back
Duration
5 hr
Crux
Class 2
Quality
5/10
Ecoregion

Peaks bagged

1
Sawtooth Peak
SPS
8,000 ft / Rise 1,720 ft
2
Lamont Benchmark7,621 ft / Rise 781 ft

Trip report

Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Starting along the PCT from Canebrake Road.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View back toward Canebrake Road.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View toward Lamont Benchmark (left) and Lamont Pinnacles (right) from the PCT.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
The PCT contours Sawtooth Peak's west ridge, gradually gaining elevation.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Approaching the saddle between Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
A short wooded section.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View back as I climb out of a small creek.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Leaving the PCT to the climber's left, headed up Sawtooth Peak's south ridge.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Picking up a use trail on the lower section of the ridge.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Crossing a recently burned plateau. Sawtooth Peak is seen for the first time on the right.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Steep, sandy ascent.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View back toward Lamont Benchmark.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Low Class 2 along the ridge crest.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Another view back.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Final push to Sawtooth Peak.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Class 2 below the summit.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Sawtooth Peak summit. View along the east ridge. In the distance are West Boulder Peak and Boulder Peak.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View south into the Owens Wilderness. Owens Peak is on the far left. On the right, Lamont Pinnacles peek out from behind Lamont Benchmark.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View north. Olancha Peak is on the right.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
After descending Sawtooth Peak (left), view back toward the saddle from a switchback along the PCT.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Gaining a minor saddle to the east of Lamont Benchmark.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View toward Lamont Benchmark shortly before leaving the PCT.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Starting up Lamont Benchmark's east ridge.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Approaching a cliff band. From here, my route contours to the climber's right.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Gaining the ridge.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View back from a flat section along the ridge.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Lamont Benchmark ahead.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Lamont Benchmark summit block, climbed via a small but airy step on the left.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Lamont Benchmark summit. View west toward Lamont Peak.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View south toward Spanish Needle and Owens Peak.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
View north toward Sawtooth Peak.
Trip report photo for Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark
Back at the saddle, returning the way I came.

Nearby trips

Spanish Needle
Spanish Needle
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Lamont Peak
Lamont Peak
4.5 mi2,500 ft3 hr