Sawtooth Peak and Lamont BenchmarkOctober 11th, 2024Owens Peak Wilderness Area, CAView on StravaView on PeakbaggerTrip infoDistance12.8 miElevation gain4,000 ftRoute typeOut & backDuration5 hrCruxClass 2Quality5/10Peaks bagged1Sawtooth PeakSPS8,000 ft / Prom. 1,720 ft2Lamont Benchmark7,621 ft / Prom. 781 ftSPSSierra Peaks SectionTrip reportStarting along the PCT from Canebrake Road.View back toward Canebrake Road.View toward Lamont Benchmark (left) and Lamont Pinnacles (right) from the PCT.The PCT contours Sawtooth Peak's west ridge, gradually gaining elevation.Approaching the saddle between Sawtooth Peak and Lamont Benchmark.A short wooded section.View back as I climb out of a small creek.Leaving the PCT to the climber's left, headed up Sawtooth Peak's south ridge.Picking up a use trail on the lower section of the ridge.Crossing a recently burned plateau. Sawtooth Peak is seen for the first time on the right.Steep, sandy ascent.View back toward Lamont Benchmark.Low Class 2 along the ridge crest.Another view back.Final push to Sawtooth Peak.Class 2 below the summit.Sawtooth Peak summit. View along the east ridge. In the distance are West Boulder Peak and Boulder Peak.View south into the Owens Wilderness. Owens Peak is on the far left. On the right, Lamont Pinnacles peek out from behind Lamont Benchmark.View north. Olancha Peak is on the right.After descending Sawtooth Peak (left), view back toward the saddle from a switchback along the PCT. Gaining a minor saddle to the east of Lamont Benchmark.View toward Lamont Benchmark shortly before leaving the PCT.Starting up Lamont Benchmark's east ridge.Approaching a cliff band. From here, my route contours to the climber's right.Gaining the ridge.View back from a flat section along the ridge.Lamont Benchmark ahead.Lamont Benchmark summit block, climbed via a small but airy step on the left.Lamont Benchmark summit. View west toward Lamont Peak.View south toward Spanish Needle and Owens Peak.View north toward Sawtooth Peak. Back at the saddle, returning the way I came.Nearby tripsSpanish Needle11 mi3,100 ft7 hrLamont Peak4.5 mi2,500 ft3 hrBoulder Peak, West Boulder Peak, and Peak 648613.5 mi5,200 ft6.5 hr