Point Giesecke
Date: 08/20/2024
Partner: Solo
Trailhead: Clear Lake
Distance: 1.8m
Elevation Gain: 1150ft
Difficulty: 5.2
Duration: 2hrs 50min
GPX
Point Giesecke 14ers.com Page
With a small weather window, I thought Giesecke would be at worth scouting. With zero beta and just a few hours before storms, I set out with my 30m Rad Line.
After hiking to the saddle on the south side of Giesecke's summit block, I poked around and tried a few routes before I found one I felt comfortable both climbing and down climbing.
From low on the saddle and found some blocky class 3ish terrain and followed it up angling left to right until and found a narrow notch to climb. The route naturally led to the summit and did not exceed 5.2.
I was comfortable down climbing this route and did not used my rope.
Summit views were unparalleled... V5 and Clear Lake, US Grant's mean east face and the Ice Lake peaks. Loved this one!
![Giesecke 01]()
1.8m - 1150ft - 2hrs 50min
![Giesecke 02]()
Walking a nice trail from the parking of at the east end of Clear Lake to the west. Middle Point front and center. Giesecke on the top left
![Giesecke 03]()
![Giesecke 05]()
Walk up the steep grass on the eastern slopes and shoot for the gully that takes you to the base of Giesecke's summit block
![Giesecke 06]()
It gets a bit loose and tedious in here... especially on descent
![Giesecke 07]()
Giesecke's east face - From the saddle you will wrap around and climb left to right on 5.2 terrain
![Giesecke 08]()
US Grant from the saddle
![Giesecke 09]()
Although this looked stiff, I climbed to the base of the wall (just below the notch right of center). I didn't find anything I would want to down climb so I came back to the saddle and looked for other options.
![Giesecke 10]()
I dropped down a bit from the saddle and started up this blocky terrain gradually working my way up and to the right
![Giesecke 11]()
Up and right at a 2 o'clock angel
![Giesecke 12]()
![Giesecke 13]()
Up and right until I found a shoulder width (or narrower) notch to climb up
![Giesecke 14]()
![Giesecke 15]()
The rock was relatively solid where it needed to be and not bad to down climb
![Giesecke 16]()
Stunning views from the summit - US Grant looking mean!
![Giesecke 17]()
Clear Lake, V5 and a passing storm
![Giesecke 18]()
Ice Lake peaks to the southwest. L2R: Fuller, Vermillion, Golden Horn, Pilot Knob
![Giesecke 19]()
US Grant's awesome east face
![Giesecke 20]()
V2 to the south
![Giesecke 21]()
San Joaquin Ridge to the north
![Giesecke 22]()
Looking north across the ridge to Middle Point
![Giesecke 23]()
The tedious descent back down to Clear Lake. Thankful I didn't get stormed off the mountain
![Giesecke 24]()
V5 towers above Clear Lake
![Giesecke 25]()
![Giesecke 26]()
V5
![Giesecke 27]()
Cool towers on South Lookout's east ridge
![Giesecke 28]()
Ice Lake Peaks on the drive down. L2R: Fuller, Vermillion, Golden Horn, Pilot Knob
