darkstar temple crag beta

[Szyjakowski]

how to get there?

pine creek is the access?

how many miles...is it doable in a day...late september, early october?

thanks for all info!

[Rad]

Best bet is to contact Doug Robinson (check out www.movingoverstone.com) for beta and details. Doug has a semi-secret way into the Palisade basin that may save you a lot of time on the approach. Alternatively, hit the CA climbing lists and find a Bishop guide to hit for beta.

 

Doug, my wife and I did Sun Ribbon Arete last year, not Darkstar so no beta for you on the climb itself. SRA is amazing, solid granite, cool tyrolean. Hike off descent (same as for Darkstar) has just one rap and is easy.

 

You'd have to be really fit to do any big climb on Temple car to car in a day. The trailhead you mention is around 7000ft, lakes close to Temple where most people camp are around 10,000ft and >6 miles from trailhead, climbs on Temple top out about to 13000.

 

Leaves will be changing and it will be absolutely gorgeous, but probably bitter cold. October is usually prime ice climbing.

 

Have a great trip.

[cj001f]

Only a Californian could describe October as "bitter cold". It's likely to be 30's/40's/50's and sunny during the day. The trail is wide and easy, except for the elevation. I'm not sure if the Coyote flat route would give you any benefit.

 

Car to car could be turned to Hut to hut when/if The Palisade Glacier Mountain Hut ever opens.