Scodie Mountain in Sequoia National Forest, CA

Hike Scodie Mountain Sequoia National Forest, CA

Class 2 9.8 miles 2700 gain 4-6 hrs Loop May 16, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Scodie Mountain GPX Track

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Scodie Mountain seems to have two primary routes, the Pacific Crest Trail and a more direct, steep gully. I decided to head up the PCT and take the gully route down. I highly recommend this way because the views on the PCT are really nice, and the descent through the gully is sandy, fast, and fun.

I started at the Walker Pass Campground and followed the Pacific Crest Trail through the basin north of Scodie Mountain, with views of the ridgeline the PCT would later follow. Along the way, I passed a bunch of PCT through hikers as they were making their way north. The trail weaves behind a hump north of Scodie Mountain, where there are some great views to the north, before continuing to the beforementioned ridge, heading south. The PCT eventually heads west, but instead I located a social trail leading steeply up a sandy gully in order to get to the ridge northwest of Scodie. This ridge is long and forested and requires a little manuevering to get around some brush, but overall a pleasant off-trail route to the summit. The views are so-so, but it was a nice introduction to the southern Sierra Nevada, an area I haven't explored much.

From the summit of Scodie Mountain, I went back along the ridge and veered north, locating a northwest draining gully that had a clearly eroded social trail once I dropped in, and it led me back to the PCT, saving miles of trail walking and making the hike into a loop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Peak 7042
7042 ft
42 rise
2
Scodie Mountain
7294 ft
2048 rise

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Starting up the Pacific Crest Trail, looking back toward the Walker Pass Campground.
Starting up the Pacific Crest Trail, looking back toward the Walker Pass Campground.
Along the PCT, headed into the basin to the north of Scodie Mountian. You can't see the actual high point because its farther back, hidden.
Along the PCT, headed into the basin to the north of Scodie Mountian. You can't see the actual high point because its farther back, hidden.
Image 2 from gallery
Looking back as I head west on the PCT.
Looking back as I head west on the PCT.
The PCT heads behind the hill visible center. This hill is north of Scodie Mountain.
The PCT heads behind the hill visible center. This hill is north of Scodie Mountain.
Image 5 from gallery
Approaching a saddle.
Approaching a saddle.
Looking back from the saddle before going behind the hill.
Looking back from the saddle before going behind the hill.
The PCT heads south.
The PCT heads south.
Looking back.
Looking back.
Scodie Mountain's northern ridge becomes visible ahead.
Scodie Mountain's northern ridge becomes visible ahead.
Looking back the way I came.
Looking back the way I came.
Entering a more forested section, still on the PCT.
Entering a more forested section, still on the PCT.
Looking north-ish toward Owens Peak along the PCT.
Looking north-ish toward Owens Peak along the PCT.
Eventually, the PCT enters a forested section and starts heading west. Instead, I went up a social trail in a gully.
Eventually, the PCT enters a forested section and starts heading west. Instead, I went up a social trail in a gully.
Looking down the social trail back the way I came.
Looking down the social trail back the way I came.
Scodie Mountian visible ahead.
Scodie Mountian visible ahead.
Painless bushwhack through the mostly open ridgeline.
Painless bushwhack through the mostly open ridgeline.
Scodie Mountain ahead. There are lots of ways to work along the ridgeline to the summit.
Scodie Mountain ahead. There are lots of ways to work along the ridgeline to the summit.
Last bit before Scodie Mountain.
Last bit before Scodie Mountain.
Image 20 from gallery
Scodie Mountain summit, looking northwest back along the ridge I came from.
Scodie Mountain summit, looking northwest back along the ridge I came from.
Scodie Mountain, looking north toward Owens Peak.
Scodie Mountain, looking north toward Owens Peak.
Scodie Mountain, view south.
Scodie Mountain, view south.
I headed back along the ridge for a bit and located a drainage leading northwest.
I headed back along the ridge for a bit and located a drainage leading northwest.
Most of the drainage looks like this it's steep. Great for an easy descent.
Most of the drainage looks like this it's steep. Great for an easy descent.
The drainage mellows out and heads through a pretty wash.
The drainage mellows out and heads through a pretty wash.
Image 27 from gallery
Eventually, the wash leads back to the PCT.
Eventually, the wash leads back to the PCT.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!