Bear Creek Spire, Northeast Arete


When: 2022-09-03 to 2022-09-05


At the risk of creating a tradition, we headed out to Bear Creek Spire during Labor Day Weekend, again. This trip would be with significantly less snow (and fewer suncups) on the ground, for a different experience. I also took this opportunity to evaluate a more minimal camera system for the hike and climb.







Day 1 to Gem Lakes


All things considered, we had a lazy morning start at the trailhead. While we drove up on the morning of, Max stayed overnight in the area and met us at the trailhead in the morning. Finding parking was a challenge during the long weekend, as we found that the trail had healthy foot traffic.


Max at the parking lot.



Several hundred yards from the trailhead, we are greeted with a view down on to Mack Lake. This served as a place of temporary respite while we took in the outdoors.


Max overlooking Mack Lake.




Hai walking up to the first of our many rest areas.




Francisco making his way to a rock to sit on.




Crossing paths with other hikers.



As we neared Heart Lake, we found a small creek to refill our water bottles right off the trail. As flowing water was plentiful during this trip, we were able to carry only minimal water on ourselves between refills. As Max brought his Katadyn filter, this was a nice back-to-back demo of using a pump vs. squeeze style filter in the field.


Max prepping the Katadyn filter.




Francisco and Hai refilling their water bottles with Sawyer Squeeze filters.




Filtering shallow water.




Box Lake.




Max and Hai and views.



As we go to, and walked along, Long Lake, there were several parties setup to fish from the shore. Something we might need to come back for, in the future.


Max and Hai at Long Lake.



Passing Chickenfoot Lake, we started one of our last climbs before reaching our destination and campsite for the night.


Francisco trekking up.



After that climb, we found a good place to take a rest on several large rocks. With our destination within spitting distance, we took our time as there was no rush.


Max and the hills.








Francisco, looking toward tomorrow.



Arriving at Gem Lakes, we found several parties that had setup camp from the previous day. After a bit of exploring, we found a secluded granite top to setup our own camp that was away from the trail and other backpackers on the western side of Gem Lakes.


Hai setting up his sleeping arrangements (consisting of only a sleeping pad and bag).




A strew of sleeping pads to relax on.




Max, relaxing.




Max, relaxing. Evening light.




Mt. Morgan.



With our sleeping areas setup and our cache of water hanging securely, we setup our kitchen, next.


Hai attacking his sandwich.




Francisco watching as Max balances our cache of water.




Max, after balancing water.




Preparing the meal.




Day 2 to Northeast Ridge


We started pretty late in the morning, moseying around the campsite to prep food and supplies for the day trip toward Bear Creek Spire's Northeast Arete.


Francisco packing up supplies into his daypack.




Across Gem Lakes, to our first uphill.




Francisco geared up, reviewing the first of many scree and talus fields.



Once packed, we made our way to the southern edge of Gem Lakes and headed up the rock wall that we were looking at, moments ago.


Francisco midway up the first wall.




Looking down, back at Gem Lakes.



After gaining the first rock wall, we head over to an unnamed lake that connects to Dade Lake. This has been a good place to sit and refill water, in the past.


Francisco at unnamed Lake.




Unnamed water.




Snacking at Dade Lake.




Looking back at Dade Lake.



After Dade Lake, we head southeast to ascend toward Peppermint Pass. From this point, we only have talus, scree, and uphill.


Toward Peppermint Pass.








Francisco returning with water.



Along the way up, there are a couple streams of water that we used to refill our water supplies for the trip. This let us avoid overpacking at Dade.


Rancisco returning with water (2).



There are many routefinding options on the way to Peppermint Pass, from the base. Near the top, we hugged the right-hand side where we met a short bit of exposed scrambling before we could join the ridgeline. Once at Peppermint Pass, the views open up.


Francisco capturing the view.




Looking back down.




Spire Lake, from Peppermint Pass.




South-southeast view.




Panoramic view of the road traveled.



It's at this point in the day, where our late start bit us. We considered our options and whether it would be worthwhile to continue up the Northeast Arete to summit Bear Creek Spire, given the weather forecast and the afternoon sun. We checked with the InReach in the morning, for a forecast, which suggested we should expect light rain throughout the weekend. There were a few clouds in the distance, as well, that we did not want to tempt. Ultimately, we decided to make our way down and back to camp for this trip.


Starting the downclimb.




Routefinding.




Spire Lake with Split Lake.




Continued downclimbing.




Looking back up, toward the Spire.



We finally descended to the saddle, where we saw two other figures in the distance. They appeared to have similar thoughts when they ascended to the saddle and decided to turn around after a bit of rest.


Francisco, looking back.



Descending with a clearer view gives us the opportunity to take the more traveled path down. While this may be more common, there were enough loose pieces of talus that I would consider taking a different route down, next time.


Our descent path. Would not recommend.




Returning to Dade Lake.



As we had time to spare, we refilled and rested once again at Dade Lake. By this point, there were a few parties that arrived at Dade who were prepared to camp for the night, in order to make their morning ascent of the Spire.


Silver lining.




Water.



And rather than retake our ascent path, navigating the talus and boulders, we opted to try a new method back to Gem Lakes. Cheking both of our topo maps, we found what we thought would be a good way back to our campsite, along with an alternative route that was longer, but also seemingly possible.


Leaving Dade.




Starting on the alternative return line.




Francisco looking down at Little Lakes Valley.




Treasure Lakes.




Seeing our campsite.




Heading down to Teasure Lakes.



From Treasure Lakes, there was a small path that would take us down to Gem Lakes and our campsite. Beware of loose dirt on the descent.


Nearly there.



Once descended, we found Hai and Max fishing. Unfortunately, no dinner was caught.


Fishing.




Looking back at the final descent.



Not to miss another opportunity to use the Fry-Bake, we cooked.


Dinner.




Day 3 - Leaving



My sleeping setup for the past two nights.




GoPro helmet mount after falling from the helmet.




The Z Lite.




Max, taking one last look.




Nearing the trailhead.



This was the trip to trial a pair of Hokas that I could use for backpacking. While comfortable with a trustworthy grip, they wear easily when traversing granite--even on short trips.


Shoe scratches.



No trip to the Eastern Sierras is official without a stop by Whoa Nellie Deli.








Overall an enjoyable weekend and we were glad to be out after the past two years. Similar to our first visit with the Spire, we weren't able to meet the summit. Regardless of that, spirits were high all-around.