Olancha Pass Trail
The Olancha Pass trail is located in the northeastern portion of the South Sierra Wilderness. The trail starts at the Sage Flat trailhead, elevation 5,790 feet, and winds steeply up the Eastern Sierra escarpment to Olancha Pass, elevation 9,220 feet. It begins in canyon live oak woodland, and ends in a lodgepole forest, near Summit Meadow. The Olancha Pass trail provides access to the Pacific Crest Trail and the Monache Meadow area. A public stock corral is located at the trailhead.
Caution:
If you plan to end your trip the Haiwee Pass Trail, the lower portion of the trail is not stock passable due to fire and flood damage. The affected area is within two miles of the Haiwee Pass Trailhead.
Olancha Pass Trail Recreation Guide (pdf)
Common Destinations: Olancha Pass, Summit Meadows, Pacific Crest Trail, Golden Trout Wilderness
Download area map for trail names
To purchase more detailed maps or guidebooks of the area, visit sierraforever.org
Specific Trail Information
Trail Type
General Information
Wilderness Permits are not required for overnight trips into the South Sierra Wilderness but are strongly recommended. If your trip will continue north of Olancha Peak into Golden Trout Wilderness, then a permit is required.
- Obtaining a wilderness permit gives one the opportunity to receive important messages about resource protection, current conditions, wildfires etc.
- Wilderness permits may also provide important information to Search & Rescue teams, in the event of an emergency.
Water from creeks, lakes and springs should be treated before drinking.
- Food, trash and scented items must be stored in bear proof containers or counter balanced.
- Groups cannot be larger than 15 people (includes day use).
- Stock cannot exceed 25.
- South Sierra Wilderness regulations
For more information about Leave-No-Trace, visit lnt.org .
Getting There
Directions
- From US 395, north of Ridgecrest, CA, travel to Sage Flat Road.
- Turn west onto Sage Flat Road. Initially, the road is paved, but it turns to dirt.
- The road winds around, north and west, and eventually ends at Sage Flat trailhead.
