Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Lone Pine Peak

I'm doing a RON at Meysen Lake in mid-September and would like to climb Lone Pine Peak. Can anyone give me a heads-up on the approx. time to get to the summit from ML.
I'm planning on hiking to the lake in the morning, camping for the night, climbing to LPP the following morning, and returning to the Portal in the afternoon.
Thanks, much.

Although it is less then 2000 feet from Meysan lake up the Northwest chute to Lone Pine Peak, much of it is loose scree. I would guess at least 2 hours up, with an hour or so down. So if you plan 4 hours you will have plenty of time to get up and down. I remember up taking some time but coming down sure was a lot faster and more enjoyable.

If your destination is Lone Pine peak I would stay at the grass lakes area. It has some trees and a nice area to camp. Meysan lake is dry and baren and actually out of the way unless you are going to Mt. Irvine or Mt. Mallory.

Having been there just a few weeks ago, I agree with Richard. Took us a little over 4 hours round trip from our campsite, and we stayed in the Grass Lakes area, with several nice places to camp and plenty of cool, clear running water. I would recommend scree gaiters for the climb. I did not bring any, and I lost count of the number of times I had to empty my boots!

RichardC & JimR:

Thanks much........exactly what I was looking for. I'll definitely take your suggestions about camping at Grass Lake. This is my third year at MW (one-day summit climb last year) and have fallen in love with the area. I come up for 5 days, motel it in Lone Pine, enjoy the trails, etc. Next year.....Mountaineer's Route. Thanks for your help.