Sirretta Peak, Smith Mountain

17-Sep-94

By: Jerry and Nancy Keating

After a fruitless half-hour wait at Troy Meadows Campground for three no-shows, the four climbers present opted to climb Smith Mtn. first, then exit the Kern Plateau via Lake Isabella after climbing Sirretta Pk.

Smith was climbed uneventfully in the morning from the normal north ridge approach, and a new booklet was placed in the register cylinder. Sirretta, however, was climbed that afternoon from an unconventional route that should suit those not wanting to start at Big Meadow. The Sirretta route description follows:

Turn off the Sherman Pass road less than a mile west of the pass, and drive south 2.9 miles on the paved Mosquito Meadow road to its cul-de-sac (8920'), a fire safe area where camping is allowed for persons with campfire permits. Continue south on trail for about 0.8 mile to just before a saddle (5)390'). Turn east and proceed up the open slope, passing to the west of Point 9860 before dropping to a open saddle beyond (9600'). From there, seek open areas high on the long ridge leading to Sirretta Peak, passing to the immediate west of Point 9978 before walking along the broad summit plateau to its far south outcrop, which is the designated summit. A three-foot cairn stands atop the designated summit. The round-trip distance is about 7-8 miles.

The trip left Peter Zurla of Marina del Rey with only one summit climb remaining to qualify for SPS membership. Soheil Zohary, meanwhile, satisfied one of his remaining WTC requirements.