Sawtooth Peak, Lamont Benchmark, Lamont peak

4/6/03

If you're in good shape and have enough time these three peaks can be done
in a single day.  Although it might seem tempting, the other peak in this 
group, the Spanish Needle, is difficult and generally takes a day of its own.

Although I was somewhat intimidated by the name, Sawtooth Peak was extremely
easy.  Simply hike up the PCT from Chimney Creek CG to the saddle south
of Sawtooth.  Then turn left (North) and head up the ridge on up to the summit.  There is no difficult terrain or vegetation to deal with.  It's very 
straightforward.

Lamont Benchmark (at 7,621 feet) is the higher of the two Lamont Peaks labelled
on the topo maps.  From the saddle south of Sawtooth simply follow the PCT up
to the Lamont saddle just east of the summit.  Turn right (west) and head 
up to the top.

Lamont Peak (7,429 feet) has a nice (although steep) trail that goes all the 
way to the summit block.  It's about a 3 mile trail and is rather strenuous.  
There are a few rocks to climb up to get on the summit block, but only a class 2 rating.  The trail goes through a forest of Ponderosa pine close to the summit
which is unusual since most of the forest in the area is Pinyon pine.  Although
the view of Whitney, Langley, and Olancha to the North is obscurred by other
peaks, the view of Lamont Peak's rocky ridgeline is awesome.  This is one of
the more interesting peaks in the area.

This hike occurred the day of the time change and I hadn't yet updated the
time on my camera.  Thus, the times below are 1 hour earlier than they should
be.

Log:

08:50 - Left Vehicle at Chimney Creek Campground
08:58 - Reached the PCT
10:00 - Reached the saddle south of Sawtooth Peak
11:11 - Reached Sawtooth Summit
11:30 - Left Sawtooth Summit
01:13 - Reached Lamont Benchmark (7621) Summit
01:30 - Left Lamont Summit
02:38 - Reached Intersection of PCT and Canebrake Road
02:43 - Returned to Vehicle - Drove to Lamont Peak Trailhead
02:50 - Arrived at Lamont Peak Trailhead
03:02 - Left vehicle - headed up Lamont Peak Trail
04:46 - Reached Lamont Peak Summit (7429)
05:01 - Left Lamont Peak Summit
06:00 - Returned to Trailhead and Vehicle

Stats:

Time from Chimney Creek CG to Sawtooth Summit: 2 hrs 21 mins
Time from Sawtooth Summit to Lamont Benchmark Summit: 1 hr 43 mins
Time from Lamont Benchmark Summit back to Chimney Creek CG: 1 hr 13 mins
Time from Lamont Peak Trailhead to Summit: 1 hr 48 mins
Time from Lamont Peak Summit back to Trailhead: 59 mins

Sawtooth Peak Elevation Gain: 2400 ft.
Distance: 4+ miles one-way

Lamont Peak Elevation Gain: 1920 ft.
Distance: 3 miles one-way

Total Mileage: 16+ Miles
Total Elevation Gain: ~6000 ft.