April 28-30, 1961 I hiked in with an unknown group on a fourteen mile round trip and climbed what is known as Spanish Needle Peak, shown on maps as Peak 7841.
Located along the Sierra Crest in the Owens Peak Wilderness, a couple of miles north of the wilderness' namesake peak, Spanish Needle is one of the more interesting scrambles to be found in the Southern Sierra. The peak is quite prominent when viewed from Highway 395, as well as from a number of the peaks around the Chimney Peak Recreation area.
It is easily recognised by its distinctive twin summits, which are separated by a broad saddle. The rounded, northern summit is the highpoint. (There is still a third, lower summit even further to the north but this is less prominent from most vantage points. Like the true summit, this lower, northernmost summit is class 3).
Although located only a short distance from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the peak is climbed infrequently, receiving only a couple of visits a year. Part of the reason may lie in the intimidating appearance of the climbing.
By its easiest route, the north ridge, the peak is an exposed third class scramble. Besides being a fine climb, the peak has excellent views of the surrounding Chimney Peak area, nearby Owens Peak and Olancha Peak, as well as expansive views over Owens Valley towards Telescope Peak in the distance.
Spanish Needle is unnamed on USGS maps, and is identified only as Peak 7841 on the 7.5'. However, a creek flowing to the west from the vicinity of the peak is named on the maps as Spanish Needle Creek. Given the peak's rounded summit hump, the origin of the informal name is a bit of a mystery.
