Mount Conness via East Ridge and White Mountain in Inyo National Forest, CA

Hike Mount Conness via East Ridge and White Mountain Inyo National Forest, CA

Class 3 9.4 miles 3600 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Aug 7, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Conness via East Ridge and White Mountain GPX Track

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Mount Conness is a high-prominence peak accessed via an array of routes starting from Tioga Pass Road. Some of these approaches are quite technical, including the north and west ridges, while a route From Young Lakes mostly uses a trail. However, the east ridge offers some fun route-finding and light Class 3 scrambling, which I decided would be my preferred option. This also allowed me to hike White Mountain, a lesser peak to the south of Mount Conness. A social trail leads to the saddle separating the two peaks that I could use as my descent, so I anticipated being on established routes for most of my planned loop.

I started my hike at the parking lot for the walk-in Sawmill Campground, where's a prominent sign warning that you will be towed if you park there without camping. I recommend parking just outside the lot, and while I didn’t get towed, I spent much of the hike worried I’d return to a citation. I walked through the campground, waving to various groups enjoying their morning coffee. The trail led through the forest along an old dirt road and crossed a stream. This road ended at a viewpoint of Mount Conness, marked by a sign for the "Harvey Monroe Hall Natural Area" and a dilapidated building lay just beyond. A well-maintained but unlabeled trail continued west through meadows and forest, and it remained in excellent shape until I left it to begin my approach to Mount Conness. This was also the trail I would use on my return after descending White Mountain.

Leaving the trail, I began ascending the Class 2 slope, with Alpine Lake as my first goal. The route became more rugged, marked by cairns along a faint social trail, though it wasn’t always easy to follow. The slope was a mix of grassy patches and boulders. While steep, I had no trouble route-finding, even when the trail disappeared. Upon reaching Alpine Lake, I could spot my route up the rocky slope to the east ridge of Mount Conness above the lake. Some Class 2 scrambling on slabby granite brought me to a wide ramp, which led in an ascending traverse to a safer point on the ridgeline.

The scrambling along Mount Conness' east ridge could mostly be avoided by staying left on looser terrain, but I chose to stick to the crest, enjoying the Class 2/3 sections. The views were spectacular, with Alpine Lake far below and various peaks surrounding Twenty Lakes Basin stretching out in all directions. At the top of the ridge the route leveled off, and I could see the summit of Mount Conness ahead. I watched one party turn back before the narrow section just below the summit, and on my descent I saw a runner turn around at its base as well. There is some exposure, but the scrambling doesn’t exceed Class 2, and the route is well-constructed, including some built steps. At the summit of Mount Conness I was rewarded with incredible views. To the north I could see North Peak and Excelsior Mountain, and Tuolumne Meadows within Yosemite National Park to the south.

I descended from Mount Conness and continued south along a social trail toward White Mountain. This trail followed a sandy slope and stayed well below the south ridge of Mount Conness, which was covered with large boulders. White Mountain came into view as I descended to the saddle between the two peaks, which involved some Class 2 scrambling and it's slightly more difficult to briefly lose the trail.

I began the ascent of White Mountain which has no social trail, staying right of the crest to avoid trickier sections and large gendarmes. I was tempted to follow the ridgeline but quickly realized it was easier to just stay lower. A short section of steep, loose terrain brought me to the final push to White Mountain’s summit, which involved navigating large Class 2/3 boulders.

After enjoying the summit of White Mountain, I retraced my route back to the saddle with Mount Conness. From there, I found the social trail leading down from the rim. The descent was steep and loose, and I wouldn’t want to attempt it if there was residual snow or ice. The slope eased up and I hiked through a boulder field and then a small basin, then picked up a faint trail that became more defined as I continued. I lost it only a couple of times and was able to enjoy the walk back, taking in the alpine scenery. This was the same trail I had taken earlier, though farther in, and it led me back to the point where I had initially left it to ascend Mount Conness.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Conness
12594 ft
2654 rise
2
White Mountain
12093 ft
655 rise

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Sawmill Campground parking lot.
Sawmill Campground parking lot.
I hiked through the campground. Mount Conness seen above.
I hiked through the campground. Mount Conness seen above.
An old dirt road leads through the forest, a stream crossing along the way.
An old dirt road leads through the forest, a stream crossing along the way.
A view of Mount Conness. A sign reads Harvey Monroe Hall Natural Area.
A view of Mount Conness. A sign reads Harvey Monroe Hall Natural Area.
A destroyed building along the trail.
A destroyed building along the trail.
A nice trail continues west.
A nice trail continues west.
The trail is in excellent shape until the point I leave it for my approach to Mount Conness.
The trail is in excellent shape until the point I leave it for my approach to Mount Conness.
View back along the trail.
View back along the trail.
I left the trail and ascended the Class 2 slope ahead. My first goal is to reach Alpine Lake above.
I left the trail and ascended the Class 2 slope ahead. My first goal is to reach Alpine Lake above.
Lots of boulders, but a social trail marked with cairns is available, though not necessarily easy to follow.
Lots of boulders, but a social trail marked with cairns is available, though not necessarily easy to follow.
View back down. My car is on the far right somewhere.
View back down. My car is on the far right somewhere.
Much of the slope is grassy, mixed in with the boulders.
Much of the slope is grassy, mixed in with the boulders.
Alpine Lake. My ascent continues above it, right of center.
Alpine Lake. My ascent continues above it, right of center.
Alpine Lake. White Mountain seen right of center.
Alpine Lake. White Mountain seen right of center.
Class 2 from Alpine Lake to the slope above.
Class 2 from Alpine Lake to the slope above.
To join the east ridge of Mount Conness, I ascended the slope, then located this wide ramp leading up.
To join the east ridge of Mount Conness, I ascended the slope, then located this wide ramp leading up.
View back down at my progress from Alpine Lake.
View back down at my progress from Alpine Lake.
Approaching the east ridge of Mount Conness.
Approaching the east ridge of Mount Conness.
East ridge, most scrambling avoidable by keeping just left on loose terrain. I chose to stick to the crest.
East ridge, most scrambling avoidable by keeping just left on loose terrain. I chose to stick to the crest.
Class 2/3.
Class 2/3.
More enjoyable scrambling up Mount Conness' east ridge.
More enjoyable scrambling up Mount Conness' east ridge.
View back down at my progress along the east ridge. Alpine Lake seen far right.
View back down at my progress along the east ridge. Alpine Lake seen far right.
At the top of the scramble, I reached a flat section of hiking. The summit is visible just ahead.
At the top of the scramble, I reached a flat section of hiking. The summit is visible just ahead.
Mount Conness summit.
Mount Conness summit.
There's an well-established route, complete with a few sections of boulders constructed as stairs. There's some exposure, though.
There's an well-established route, complete with a few sections of boulders constructed as stairs. There's some exposure, though.
View back along the ridge to the summit of Mount Conness.
View back along the ridge to the summit of Mount Conness.
Class 2/3 on the way up.
Class 2/3 on the way up.
Mount Conness summit, view north toward North Peak and Excelsior Mountain.
Mount Conness summit, view north toward North Peak and Excelsior Mountain.
Mount Conness summit view east.
Mount Conness summit view east.
View toward Young Lakes and Ragged Peak, as well as Tuolumne Meadows in the distance.
View toward Young Lakes and Ragged Peak, as well as Tuolumne Meadows in the distance.
Tuolumne Valley to the west.
Tuolumne Valley to the west.
Onward from Mount Conness along a social trail toward White Mountain.
Onward from Mount Conness along a social trail toward White Mountain.
View back toward Mount Conness.
View back toward Mount Conness.
The social trail leads pleasantly down the south ridge of Mount Conness.
The social trail leads pleasantly down the south ridge of Mount Conness.
White Mountain comes into view.
White Mountain comes into view.
A view toward Young Lakes (top right).
A view toward Young Lakes (top right).
Descending Class 2 to the saddle with White Mountain.
Descending Class 2 to the saddle with White Mountain.
View back toward the descent from Mount Conness.
View back toward the descent from Mount Conness.
At the saddle, starting up toward White Mountain. The crest has lots of tricky scrambling, so I recommend keeping just right of it beneath the significant obstacles.
At the saddle, starting up toward White Mountain. The crest has lots of tricky scrambling, so I recommend keeping just right of it beneath the significant obstacles.
Class 2 along the way.
Class 2 along the way.
View back, Mount Conness poking out top center.
View back, Mount Conness poking out top center.
Summit of White Mountain ahead. Large boulder add some Class 2/3.
Summit of White Mountain ahead. Large boulder add some Class 2/3.
White Mountain summit, view north toward Mount Conness.
White Mountain summit, view north toward Mount Conness.
White Mountain summit, view south.
White Mountain summit, view south.
White Mountain summit, view southeast toward Mount Dana.
White Mountain summit, view southeast toward Mount Dana.
Back at the saddle with Mount Conness, I located the social trail leading down from the rim.
Back at the saddle with Mount Conness, I located the social trail leading down from the rim.
View back up at the steep descent.
View back up at the steep descent.
Another shot back toward the descent from the saddle.
Another shot back toward the descent from the saddle.
I picked up a faint trail that became better as I continued. This is the same trail I came in on, but much farther in.
I picked up a faint trail that became better as I continued. This is the same trail I came in on, but much farther in.
A shot back along the social trail, which eventually bumped into the spot where I had left it earlier to ascend Mount Conness.
A shot back along the social trail, which eventually bumped into the spot where I had left it earlier to ascend Mount Conness.

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