On June 11-12, 1977 myself, Scott Morton and Jim Nettleton climbed 13,196' Mount Julius Ceasar. Gil Beilke was also on the trip and planned to climb a different peak.
Mount Julius Caesar is located in the John Muir Wilderness of Inyo National Forest. The peak is hidden behind Mount Tom but situated 21 miles due west from Bishop, just two miles south of better known Mount Abbot and one mile southwest of more popular Bear Creek Spire. The summit is somewhat remote… requiring at least a seven mile approach with 5000 feet of round trip elevation gain from any direction. Visitors are rewarded with splendid views of high altitude alpine lakes and exposed granite basins, however, as Mount Julius Caesar sits perfectly between picturesque Granite Park to the southeast and the completely mesmerizing surroundings of Lake Italy to the west.
The easiest and most heavily exploited route up Mount Julius Caesar is the class 2 ascent from Italy Pass immediately to the southwest. There are several other route options available, though most are increasingly more viable if visiting Mount Julius Caesar along with other nearby peaks in the area such as Mount Gabb, Mount Hilgard, or Bear Creek Spire. Fantastic views are available ranging from Mount Tom to the east, Granite Park and Royce Lakes Basin to the south, Seven Gables to the southwest, and Mount Hilgard, Mount Gabb, Mount Abbot, and Bear Creek Spire wrapping around the perimeter of Lake Italy from the west to the northeast.
First ascent August 12, 1928 by A. H. Prater and Myrtle Prater.
Gil and Scott arrived at my appartment in Lone Pine on Friday night from San Diego and we picked Jim up in Bishop Saturday morning. We hit the trail at Pine Creek about 8 a.m. I made Pine Lake about 11:15 and took an hour for lunch. I arrived at Honeymoon Lake shortly after 1 p.m.
Scott followed the trail beyond the lake and reached our planned camp area around 11,600' first. Gil and Jim cut high above the lake but somehow got too far south and made it to Golden Lake.
In the meantime, I found a good even route above the lake and cut directly over to the trail, picking up Gil and Jim's footprints as they approached the trail. I followed them up the trail, arriving at Scott's waiting point shortly after they did. We found some dry gravel among the wet stuff and snow, making camp about 4 p.m.
Pine Creek Falls - John Muir Wilderness 11 Jun 1977
Pine Creek Falls - John Muir Wilderness 11 Jun 1977
Pine Creek Falls - John Muir Wilderness 11 Jun 1977
Pine Lake, Mt. Tom - John Muir Wilderness 11 Jun 1977
Upper Pine Lake - John Muir Wilderness 11 Jun 1977
Upper Pine Lake - John Muir Wilderness 11 Jun 1977
Honeymoon Lake - John Muir Wilderness 11 Jun 1977
Honeymoon Lake, Upper Pine Lake - John Muir Wilderness 11 Jun 1977
Crest south of Italy Pass - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Sunday morning Gil got up about 5:30 and after his usual cold breakfast hit the "route" for a nearby peak - north of Royce. The other three of us got up about the time Gil was leaving and ate a hot breakfast before departing about 7:30 for Mount Julius Caesar.
The 1.5 mile, 800 foot climb to 12,400 Italy Pass took about two hours for me, arriving about 9:30. Another hour and 800 feet put me on top about 10:30. Scott made it about 45 minutes faster and Jim was just ahead of me.
GREAT VIEWS. After an hour on top, we headed down, making the pass about noon and camp about 1 p.m. Gil meanwhile didn't do his peak due to too much rock and soft snow and returned to camp shortly after noon. We all headed down just after 1 p.m. and made the car about 4:30 to 5:30 - a long day. The weather was great. Would be more enjoyable as a three day trip.
Italy Pass and Mount Julius Ceasar from the east - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Seven Gables from Italy Pass - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Mt. Humphrey on left from Italy Pass - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Mt. Hilgard and frozen Lake Italy from top of Mount Julius Ceasar
John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Mt. Gabb, Gabbot Pass, Mt. Abbot and Mt. Dade from top of Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Mount Abbot from Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Mt. Abbot, Mt. Dade, Bear Creek Spire from top of Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Gabbot Pass from top of Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Mt. Humphrey from top of Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Chalfant Lakes, Mt. Tom, Mt. Humphreys (center) and Royce Lakes from top of Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Royce Peak and Merriam Peak from top of Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Chalfant Lakes from top of Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir Wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Chalfant Lakes, Mt. Humphreys from top of Mount Julius Ceasar
John Muir wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Seven Gables from top of Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir wilderness 12 Jun 1977
Royce Peak (left) and Gemini (center) and Seven Gables (right) from top of Mount Julius Ceasar - John Muir wilderness 12 Jun 1977