On August 19-20, 1961 myself, Kevin Barry, Jim Moore, Eric Beck, John Butler and John Paine climbed 13,713' Bear Creek Spire. (A Sierra Club trip on August 5-6, 1961 got rained out.)
We drove up from San Diego Friday night and hiked in Saturday morning. It rained after we got to camp - just got shelter up in time. Sunday morning was clear and it clouded up as the day progressed, but didn't rain. Reached top at 11:30 am. Camped at Dade Lake - okay as campsite but no wood to speak of.
Bear Creek Spire is the 46th highest mountain in California and the 225st highest mountain in the United States. Bear Creek Spire was named in 1908 by Joseph LeConte, James Hutchinson and Duncan McDuffie, because of its position at the head of the Hilgard Branch of Bear Creek.
The first ascent of Bear Creek Spire was a solo climb by Hermann Ulrichs in 1923 up its west face. Norman Clyde established the Northeast Face route in October 1931 and a route up the Northeast Buttress in May 1932.
Bear Creek Sphire Route Map - Approximate Route in RED
Bear Creek Spire - 1961
Bear Creek Spire from below saddle - 1961
Dade Lake and Rock Creek Basin - 1961
Dade Lake, Treasure Lake, Rock Creek Basin from Bear Creek Spire - 1961
Bear Creek Spire - 1977
Lake Italy, Mt. Hildgard from Bear Creek Spire - 1961