Sky Haven - Aug. 10-11, 2024

This peak is often overlooked in favor of its more popular neighbors (Vagabond and Cloudripper) but it has one of the best views of the Palisades that can be found in the Sierra. Being that the Palisades are oriented northwest to southeast and tower over most of the front range peaks on the east side, Sky Haven offers an absolutely amazing sunrise view.

The hike starts from the South Lake trailhead. Alternatively, you can start from Parcher’s Resort which is the same distance but 600 ft more elevation gain. The trail offers a lot of solitude since most people head up the much more aesthetic Bishop Pass trail., but there’s something austere and beautiful about the barren landscapes that the Green Lake drainage has to offer.

Palisades from Sky Haven.

I camped at Thunder and Lightning Lake and planned for a sunrise summit of Sky Haven the next day. One thing to note about Thunder and Lightning Lake is that good campsites are really nonexistent here. The south, east, and west sides of the lake are talus fields. The north side is talus mixed with some shrubs. I managed to squeeze my one-person tent next to some of the vegetation on the north side where the ground was clear of rocks and plants, but it was tight. Alternatively, there are some spots above the north shore of the lake which are pretty flat but on top of some sharp smaller rocks.

Sky Haven panorama at sunrise

I was alone all day at the lake but that night, a bright light shined on my tent just after sundown. I assumed it was another camper who was walking by but I didn’t see anyone the next morning which was a bit unnerving. Most likely explanation is that they were a day hiker or trail running out late I suppose. I set an alarm for 4:30am and made it to the top of the ridge right before sunrise. Pt. 12,668 offers roughly the same view as the true summit to be honest. I’m planning to return next summer to tag the true summit at sunrise.

The views from this ridge are some of the best of seen in the Sierra. It definitely doesn’t give you that airy feeling with other peaks which are more proximate to the Sierra Crest, but the position of Sky Haven gives you a phenomenal view of the entire Palisades group. I spent probably an hour on the summit before heading back to camp.

Sunrise on the Palisades from Sky Haven

High plateau above Thunder and Lightning Lake.

I slowly made my way back to the pass connecting the Green Lake and Baker Lakes drainages (not sure it has a name). Ran into a small handful of backpackers heading up from South Lake but otherwise had the trail to myself all the way back to South Lake.

—Justin