Trip Report: Columbine Peak - August 2026

Columbine Peak is a lesser-known, tucked-away Sierra Peak with fun, class 2/3 scrambling and a diving board summit block. Straddling the Dusy Basin and Palisade Basin, Columbine Peak is most easily accessed from the South Lake Trailhead, over Bishop Pass, and can be completed either as a long day hike, 17.5 miles round trip, or as an overnight with a plethora of stunning campsites tucked around the lakes of the Dusy Basin. 

Columbine Peak

Trip Report: 

Current As Of: 29 August 2026*

Activity During Report: Off-trail hiking, Class 2-3 scrambling

We decided to climb Columbine Peak as a lollipop route, ascending the northeastern ridge, and descending the southern ridge. After an early morning start and cruising over a very windy Bishop Pass, we descended into Dusy Basin to ~11,500 ft before venturing off-trail east towards Isosceles Peak. Traversing between the lakes to the base of Isosceles, then southwest along its base, we then turned east again to ascend to the top of Isosceles Pass.

Traversing Dusy Basin towards Isosceles Pass

Ascending towards Isosceles Pass

From the top of Isosceles Pass, class 3 ridge scrambling leads to the summit of Columbine Peak. We found staying on the actual ridge as much as possible brought the most enjoyable scrambling, with optional class 4 movements. Staying left (southeast) on the ridge brought easier terrain as needed. 

Scrambling

The summit block was a humongous granite diving board, with excellent views further into the backcountry of Sequoia-Kings Canyon, including Palisade Basin, Langille Peak over LeConte Canyon, and the infamous Devils Crags. Thankfully, the winds had subsided from the morning into the afternoon, and we enjoyed a long, leisurely break at the summit, admiring and attempting to name as many peaks as possible. Much of the Palisade Traverse is visible from here, and those who are aspiring to tag technical California fourteeners may find inspiration in seeing the line from this vantage point.

On the Summit

Summit Views

We descended to our south along relatively easier class 2/3 terrain to the top of Knapsack Pass. From here, class 1 terrain meanders down Knapsack back into the Dusy Basin. You can pick from a plethora of lines to meander your way among the many lakes and streams through Dusy back to the Bishop Pass Trail. From the trail, retrace your steps over the pass and back down to your awaiting car.