Fall has Arrived! From Rock Climbing to Skiing in the Eastern Sierra

Bright reds and yellows mark the change of season here in the Eastern Sierra, and the forest landscape is vibrant and colorful at the moment! The temps have cooled after a raging hot summer, with a refreshing chill in the air. The summer vacation crowds have subsided, and the town vibes are mellow. The first snow of the season dusted the mountains down to 8,000 ft, so we're getting antsy for backcountry skiing. But while the skyline is white, the canyons and desert are providing a colorful playground for rock climbing.

Vibrant fall colors in Rock Creek attract hikers, fisherman, and rock climbers alike

Fall Activities in the Eastern Sierra - Rock Climbing and More!

Now is the time for river fishing, high desert camping under the stars, and beautiful fall hikes at the lower elevations. Low water flows make more of the rivers accessible without the bugs from summer. Watching the aspens quake in the breeze with their golden turned leaves is a sight not to be missed. And at the end of the day, head to the hot springs before finding your private camping spot out in the desert tablelands. 

Above all, rock climbing on the Eastside is going off! Rocktober in the Sierra is world class, from Pine Creek and the Gorge, to Rock Creek and Clark Canyon. Pleasurable sending temps, dry and crisp weather - it’s the perfect time to get out on some Sierra granite or volcanic tuff. Whether you’re hoping to send a project you’ve been working on, or have been looking to take a multipitch climbing or rock rescue course, this is the ideal season to brush up on your personal rock climbing skills or even do some guided rock climbing. Bouldering, sport climbing, and multipitch trad - the Eastside has it all!

Rock Climbing in the Pine Creek

It's a great time to practice your Rock Rescue skills!

Prepare for a Safe and Successful Winter Season

For the backcountry skiers and splitboarders out there who are chomping at the bit for snow to return to the Sierra, this is a great time to dust off your avalanche knowledge and test your gear. How old is that beacon? How steep does a slope need to be to slide? Take the time and opportunity to really prepare yourself for a successful winter season in the backcountry. Check out this article An Expert's Guide: How to Prepare for a Safe Backcountry Ski Season for a comprehensive guide to help prepare you for a solid riding season in the backcountry. 

Students practice building rescue sleds in an avalanche course

Pika Mountain Guides offers 1-day avi refreshers, as well as custom backcountry ski and splitboard tours tailored to your skills and needs. If you’ve been eyeing a classic Sierra ski descent, looking to improve your steep skiing skills, or wanting to learn some ski mountaineering techniques, this is the perfect time to inquire before trips start filling up.

Pika Mountain Guides Steep Ski Clinic: Ski Belay techniques

Pika Mountain Guides Steep Ski Clinics: Safe Bootpacking and Skiing Techniques

If you’re just starting out as a backcountry rider, it might be time to invest in taking that AIARE 1 avalanche course you’ve been thinking about to boost your confidence riding in the backcountry. If you’re a more seasoned rider and looking for a refresher course or an AIARE 2, now is the time to sign up - many of these courses are already filling up quickly! While Pika Mountain Guides doesn’t offer AIARE courses, we highly recommend Sierra Mountain Center as our local Sierra AIARE provider.

A team practices Avalanche Rescue

Please Recreate Responsibly!

As always, if you’re looking for conditions updates for a trip you’re planning to the Sierra, feel free to contact us for more information - we’re more than happy to let you know what’s going on here in the mountains to help you prepare for your next Sierra adventure. A reminder to all, however, that due to the Government shutdown, there are currently no rangers or stewards on our public lands, and so it’s up to us as recreationalists to keep our shared beautiful spaces clean using those Leave no Trace principles. Thank you!