63. Palisades, 7040' (S)
The Palisades looks very challenging from the east, but there is an easy route when approached from the west. The Palisades is often climbed together with Marcus Peak. The Palisades name is descriptive.
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Driving
Drive SR 410 4.5 miles south of the Crystal Mountain ski area turnoff and turn right on Sunrise Park Road. Drive 13 miles to Sunrise Point. Park in the large parking lot (elevation 6100').
Route
From the east end of the parking lot, take the Palisades Lake Trail. In approximately 0.3 mile take the right fork (heading north) in the trail toward Clover Lake/Upper Palisades Camp. Continue on the trail, and before reaching Dicks Lake you’ll come to a sign for Hidden Lake (approximately two miles from TH). Turn left on this trail and follow it past the lake. A sign marked “End of maintained trail – stay on stabilized path to Green Park Saddle” marks the boot path to the saddle between Marcus and the Palisades. Stay on this boot path until reaching the end (almost at the saddle 6440’) and find a short path through short conifers heading east. In a short distance (40-50 yards) you’ll come to an open meadow. Once in the meadow, head north toward Palisades. It is best to pass by the rocky scree fields and instead go up mostly dirt hummocks. This slope is gentle. At about 6650’ change bearing to 40-60 degrees. In general, follow best terrain. Once near the summit it may be slightly easier to go beyond the summit and double back on the northwest ridge, as this avoids some thick vegetation.
The Palisades can also be approached from Upper Palisades Lake. Continue on the trail to Upper Palisades Lake and from the Upper Palisades camping site, scramble to the northeast ridge and drop over it to less steep terrain. Scrambling up to the northeast ridge is steep. Once on the northeast ridge, head southwest until you reach the northwest ridge. Scramble up the northwest ridge to the summit. This is more challenging than the route via Hidden Lake. You can return to the main trail via Hidden Lake.
Comments
A helmet is a good idea if you are approaching via Upper Palisades Lake.
Vital Statistics: Palisades
Skill: Moderate scramble
Beauty: 8
Effort: 6
Round-trip distance: 8 miles
Elevation gain: 3000'
Total time: 7 hours
Best season: July through September or first snow
Equipment: Scramble gear
Palisades Topo
(use CalTopo to print PDF topo, view Google Earth, download tracks, for trailhead weather) [How to ?]
Palisades Photos
Palisades and Marcus from trail
Route to saddle from Hidden Lake
Route to summit