Amies Photos > Sierra Peaks > Mount Brewer

Mount Brewer

Mount Brewer (13,570 ft) dominates the north of the Great Western Divide. It is a long hike in from any direction with off trail travel needed. We did this peak combined with South Guard and Mount Jordan as part of a Sierra Club trip, which I led with the help of Ron Hudson.

Mount Brewer from the East
Resting on the East Ridge of Mount Brewer
Mount Brewer Group from the North
Location Map of Mount Brewer, South Guard, Mount Jordan
Pack in and routes for Brewer, South Guard, and Jordan.
Route for East Ridge of Mount Brewer

Mount Brewer from the East

Mount Brewer from near the base of the East Ridge. We climbed Brewer via the East Ridge from East Lake.
Photo by Alex Amies, July 22, 2006

Resting on the East Ridge of Mount Brewer

Left to right: Sue Livingston, Ed Noguera, Alexander Smirnoff. Not shown: Ron Hudson. Mount Brewer and North Guard in the background.
Photo by Alex Amies, July 22, 2006

Mount Brewer Group from the North

Taken from Charlotte Dome
Photo by Alex Amies, June 23, 2007

Location Map of Mount Brewer, South Guard, Mount Jordan

These peaks are most easily reached from Onion Valley. To get to Onion Valley drive on California State Highway 395 to the town of Independence. Turn west on Market Street and go to the end of the paved road. The alternative is to hike in from Cedar Grove on the west side of Kings Canyon National Park. However, there is significantly more elevation gain starting from there.

Pack in and routes for Brewer, South Guard, and Jordan.

We started at Onion Valley and packed into East Lake on day 1 (July 21, 2006). On day 2 we climbed Brewer. On day 3 we packed out of East Lake to Lake Reflection, dropped our packs and climbed South Guard. On day 4 we packed out to Harrison Pass, where we dropped our packs and attempted Stanford. We picked up packs again and set up camp at Lake South America, where we spent two nights. On day 5 we climbed Mount Jordan. Day 6 was a marathon pack out over Forrester Pass and Kearsarge Pass back to Onion Valley.

Route for East Ridge of Mount Brewer

We camped at East Lake (4,100 ft, 7 miles return).