Ascend to stunning scenery at this California peak reaching 13,754 feet!
TrailHead - ·Rock Creek Campground, Inyo National Forest, CA
Distance ~11 miles RT (did more than all trails mentions)
Elevation Gain: 4,071′
Ideal Time · June to September
Pets · Allowed, however would not recommend
Difficulty - Strenuous, ~ 6-8 hrs RT
The primary trail begins at Tamarack Lakes Trailhead close to Rock Creek Lake (elevation 9750 ft). This is located within the Rock Creek Campground in Mammoth Lakes, CA. There is ample parking close to the trailhead or in overflow lots.
From the beginning up to Francis Lake, the trail is well-maintained and clearly marked. The Tribe spent the previous night at Mammoth Lakes, CA, where there are numerous resorts and comfortable condominiums available or if you like to camp then the Rock Creek Campground is ideal.
Tribe started on the trail at 4:00 AM, the early start provided the opportunity to admire the night sky, the crescent moon, the blanket of stars, and the perfect sunrise as they neared Francis Lake, justifying the early 2:30 AM wake-up call. Bonus was avoiding the intense afternoon sun, which at elevation can be harsh. It was important to be cautious of the forks on the trail specifically in the dark, consulting the alltrails map was a good idea. Given there is no connectivity, downloading the map ahead of time will be a good idea.
Beyond Francis Lake, the trail is entirely unmarked. After a quick breakfast, the Tribe walked alongside the lake, navigating fallen trees to reach a very steep section of the cross-country trail.
The Inyo National Forest in the Eastern Sierras is adorned with lakes, towering peaks, and breathtaking endless vistas - experience this on Mount Morgan, CA
After the lake, there are steep areas with a gradient of 56%, mainly consisting of sandy and rocky terrain. It is important to navigate this section cautiously to prevent sliding down the hill. Continuing from there, the ridge is climbed directly to the south, descending on the north side when necessary to avoid difficulties beyond class 2. The majority of the trail beyond Francis Lake is not marked.
Upon reaching the plateau around 13,000 ft, the Tribe came across a family of mountain goats camouflaged in the boulders, only noticeable when they moved. It was a delightful sight. Moving forward, navigating through a field of talus required caution as the trail occasionally disappeared, emphasizing the need to stay attentive to the path. Climbing over boulders of various shapes and sizes was undeniably challenging at this altitude. However, the breathtaking views from the ridge's summit made the strenuous ascent worthwhile.
The last portion to the summit past the saddle is loose talus and a decent grind, save up some energy and water for this portion which is at a almost 65 degree incline.
Descending can be just as challenging as ascending, if not more so, especially with fatigued legs. Additionally, the slopes of 65% & 56% feel almost vertical on the way down. In order to ensure our safety, the Tribe carefully made their way down the steep sections, taking it one rock at a time. The weather held up really good for the Labor Day Weekend, making for a grueling but enjoyable day.
Lessons from the tribe - Know before you go! Research the terrain well before you go, our group had feww folks who had to turn back because they did not carry enough water or started too late.
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