Mt. Gayley  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  13,510' Lat, Long:  37.1031, -118.499 Map Page Views:  3,018. Good page?    Administrators:  Chris Owen, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Chris Owen on Mar 10, 2006 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Mount Gayley from Glacier Notch

Description 

This peak east of the Palisades offers not only a great view of the main crest but also a fun route when the conditions are less than perfect or you're feeling chicken.

Getting There 

From Big Pine on 395 drive up the road to Glacier Lodge, trailhead is signed on the right.

Hike up the North Fork of Big Pine Creek past Cienega Mirth, Lon Chaney's old cabin, and First, Second, and Third (spectacular views of Temple Crag) Lakes, then instead of continuing on to Fourth Lake turn south and up into Sam Mack Meadow. This is where I usually camp (6 miles, 3,400 ft of elevation gain). People staying more than a couple of days may want to cross the creek and head up the glacier trail to primitive sites either below the Palisade Glacier Moraine, or on the Moraine (1.25 miles, 1,100 more feet of gain).

The Classics

Featured Route For Mt. Gayley

South West Ridge (aka Yellow Brick Road) 3rd  CA : High Sierra : Mt. Gayley

From Sam Mack Meadow climb the lefthand gully at the back of the meadow, bear right under the Palisade Glacier moraine, through another shallow gully just to its right (Thunderbolt Peak framed in the notch) and so gradually gain the crest of the moraine. Follow it until it peters out (wonderful views of North Pal) then work across the Glacier towards Glacier Notch - climb the Glacier Notch couloir (loose in low snow). About 1.5 hours from Sam Mack Meadow.Hike across (north east) to the base of t...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA