Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain Hikes

Explore beautiful hiking trails and wilderness camping in Inyo National Forest, John Muir Wilderness, and Ansel Adams Wilderness.

whitney summit and girl climber
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides | Winter Mountaineering

Climb the Mountaineers Route on Mount Whitney 14,505 ft

Mount Whitney is the highest peak of the contiguous US sitting at 14,505 ft. The Mountaineers Route makes for a unique experience, different from the standard hiking trail, and Spring is a great time to climb the mountaineers route! Read on for more info and learn more on the gear you need for a better experience.

2021 in Review: The Year of Climbing
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides

2021 in Review: The Year of Climbing

This past year has been a thrilling ride full of anxiety. On one hand, I’ve never lived more. On the other hand, I’ve never been so stressed living. Every time I headed out into the mountains, I felt like I was losing years of my life with all the stress and anxiety, but also gaining […]

Backpacking Minaret Lake Loop & Climb Volcanic Ridge in Mammoth
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides

Backpacking Minaret Lake Loop & Climb Volcanic Ridge in Mammoth

The Minaret Lake Loop is one of the most popular and picturesque hikes near Mammoth Lakes. There are many options to day hike or overnight camp in Ansel Adams Wilderness – learn about climbing the Volcanic Ridge (11,506 ft) as well to get an eye-level view of the Minarets!

cloudripper summit overlooking chocolate lakes and bishop
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides

Hike Big Pine Lakes to all Seven Lakes and Climb Cloudripper

Cloudripper is the 58th tallest peak in California and the tallest in the Inconsolable Range of the Eastern Sierra Mountains. It can be easiest accessed from Big Pine Lakes through a class two scramble at the end of seventh lake. Read on to hike through the glacial lakes and end up at a 13er!

matterhorn peak winter climb followtiffsjourney
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides | Winter Mountaineering

Matterhorn Peak: My First Time Winter Mountaineering and Snow Camping

Matterhorn Peak is the highest summit of the Sawtooth Range in the CA Sierra Nevada. Climbing the East Couloir as my first winter mountaineering experience was a good choice for a beginner – read on for my experience on my first backcountry snow camping and climbing with a fear of heights.

convict lake winter 2020
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides

Convict Lake Loop: Easy Day Hike Near Mammoth Lakes

Convict Lake is a short and easy hiking loop located 15 minutes south of Mammoth Lakes, CA. It can be hiked year-round, even when no one is present. Just be prepared with the proper winter gear. HIKE TO: Convict Lake TRAIL: Convict Lake Trail MILES: 2.57 miles TIME: 1.25 hrs DATE I WENT: 2/01/20 DIFFICULTY: […]

Tiff_Kokopelli_Tahoe 18
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides

Intro to Packrafting: Why You Need a Packraft to Explore More on Your Backpacking Trips

July 15-20, 2019Author: Tiffany Lin | Photographer: Mina Lee + Tiffany’s iPhoneLocation: Lake TahoeBoat Model: Rogue LiteActivity: Packrafting If you know me, you’ll know I’m not much of a water person. I’m actually scared of the big, open water and can’t tolerate being in cold water very well. Two years ago, I went to a […]

Kearsarge Pass: Solo Wilderness Trip
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides

Kearsarge Pass: Solo Wilderness Trip

HIKE TO: Kearsarge Pass TRAILHEAD: Kearsarge Pass Trail MILES: 9.3 miles out and back TIME: 1 night (commonly done as a day hike) DATE I WENT: 8/17/18 – 8/18/18 DIFFICULTY: moderate ELEVATION: 11,760 ft ELEVATION GAIN: 2,595 ft PERMIT: no for day hikes, yes for overnight camping LOCATION: Inyo National Forest, Eastern Sierra Last August […]

Is it Better to Day Hike or Backpack for Mt. Whitney?
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides

Is it Better to Day Hike or Backpack for Mt. Whitney?

Mount Whitney (14,505 ft) is the tallest mountain in the contiguous US (lower 48 states). It’s a long 22-mile out-and-back hike with about 6,000 ft of elevation gain. You can day hike it or overnight camp, but either way, you need a permit which can be obtained during the pre-season lotto or through last-minute permit […]

Mt. Whitney Hike Video
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides

Mt. Whitney Hike Video

Video of our backpacking trip to Mount Whitney in August 2015!  It’s a little rocky because it was our first time shooting with the GoPro, but thanks Duy!  It includes footage from the Mobius Arch in Alabama Hills, as well as our journey on the Mount Whitney Trail, Lone Pine Lake, Trail Crest, Pinnacles, and of course […]

Hiking Mount Whitney 14,505 ft. for the first time as a beginner backpacker
Eastern Sierra | Hike Guides

Hiking Mount Whitney 14,505 ft. for the first time as a beginner backpacker

Two weeks ago [8.25.15] at 9 am, I summited Mt Whitney… and it was amazing!!  How many people can say that?  Well I’ve been told only 30% of hikers who attempt it will succeed in summiting.  I’ve never even thought about doing this until early this year.  I knew someone that went last year, and someone else […]

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