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

Aug 07, 2024 — 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.