Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Planning for Summer '04

Was thinking that next year, instead of doing Whitney for the third straight year, I would try some of the other peaks in the area. Was hoping someone out there is familiar with Mallory, Irvine, LeComte, Corcoran, and Lone Pine Peak. Are there some fun class 2-3 routes? How many of these can one reasonably expect to bag in a long (4-day) weekend? Considering both staying at the Portal campground, or trying to get an 3-night permit for Meysan Lakes Trail (appears only 12 per day is the quota). Any ideas? Any other peaks in the area that are fun class 2-3? Thanks in advance.

Sounds great. Meysan lake hardly ever reaches its quota, but is a very nice U shaped canyon. There are class 2 route from the Meysan lake area to Lone Pine peak (Northwest chute 1/2 day) Mt Irvine (East Chute 1/2 day) and Mallory (From the chute going up to the right side of the Mt LeConte Mallory saddle 1/2 day) Mt LeConte is the hardest of the 4 peaks mentioned, being class three at least. Irvine and Mallory could be done together if you are good at route finding over a class three ledge between the peaks. Makes more sense to backpack to the grass lakes area (about 10000 feet) which is nice and has trees. Then take 2-3 days to summit around the canyon. From the portal any of the peaks are a full day. Thor peak (see Bob R. photos) is also a great 6-8 hour hike and has a spectacular summit view.

Jim, some resources that might help you decide about your very reasonable concept: at our friends at www.climber.org, there is a huge database of trip reports, including all those you mention. McAdie might be another.
RJ Secor's The High Sierra, Peaks, Passes, and Trails, lists all of those, with various routes up.

Thanks for the responses. My wife will be getting me Secor's book for Xmas (assuming she can take a hint).

Secor's book has a good description of all the routes to these peaks. At 12900 - 13800 they are all a full day from the car (Meysan lake trail starts at 7900 feet) Personally I like the canyon...very quiet and scenic. Meysan lake is quite baren itself. As mentioned, the area around grass lakes is a nice place to camp. LeConte is the hardest of those mentioned...more difficult class three from previous posts. Mt. McAdie can be reached from the Mallory/ Irvine Saddle passing to the south of Arc's pass. McAdie would also be more challenging class three. Having been on both Mallory and Irvine, I would do Mallory first, if you try to bag both peaks on the same day. There are a number of chutes going up to the Mallory LeConte saddle...take one toward the right side to Mallory. Once on the summit try to locate a place to drop down Northward to cross to Irvine (somewhere on the West/Northwest side of the peak) A small 20-30 foot rope would be useful. There is only about 50 feet of class three climbing separating the two. From grass lakes Lone Pine peak is the most straight forward. In fact, with Secors book it was easy to know which chute to take to get to any of those peaks.

Turns out that summitpost.com also has a great deal of info on these peaks. Great pictures, route descriptions, and trip reports. Nice site.