Mount Morrison (12,268ft) - 4th September 2006
Robin and I hiked Mount Morrison via the East Slope (class 2) on September 4, 2006. We got our usual alpine start (we hit the trail around 1:30PM), summited around 6, and were back in the car a little after 8. Unfortunately we got back to Bishop at 9:05, right after Amigos (the mexican restaurant) closed. Oh well. Other than that, the hike was pretty good, not that I'd want to do it again soon.
For the first two miles of the hike, we ascended gently (ha!) up a brush-choked valley, following various animal trails. Eventually, an inviting and very steep scree slope appeared on the right. We turned up this and encountered swarms of bloodsucking black flies. At the top of slope, the flies bored of their sport and disappeared, and we made our way up various loose second class rocky sections to the summit to a very nice view of the setting sun.
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Mount Morrison from the north. This picture was taken June 2005 and shows the imposing (and dangerously loose) North Face. The route Robin and I took to the summit goes up the snow filled valley at the far left of this picture and ascends the left skyline of the peak.
Robin on the initial slope that gets one to the approach valley for the East Slope. This slope is steep, loose, and brush-choked. Fun stuff. That's Convict Lake in the background.
Robin is standing in one of the few places on the approach to the East Slope without an abundance of brush.
This is what the approach valley for the East Slope looks like from the bottom. Only two miles of bushwhacking to go!
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The standard approach to the East Slope is up a sage-filled valley from Convict Lake. This part would be more pleasant in cooler weather when one could wear long pants.
The start of the East Slope proper is a steep loose shale scree slope. Robin's making her way up the lower reaches of the slope here.
Robin on the summit of Mt. Morrison, taking a moment from signing the register to smile for the camera.
Owing to the usual alpine start (1:30PM in this case), we descended the last mile or so in failing light, but were treated to a very nice sunset.
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Jon taking a break in the brush-filled approach valley to the East Slope.
Finally on top of Mt. Morrison. Jon writes something witty in the summit register.
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