San Joaquin Mountain 11,601' (08.14.2014)
The hike to San Joaquin Mountain, at its longest, starts from Minaret Vista just above Mammoth Mountain. With a 4WD vehicle you can drive the first ~1.5 miles and cut off some time. The hike along the road is easy, though.
Hiking along the road. I probably could have driven my outback in here, but I wasn't sure of the road conditions so I just walked it.
The view stays mostly the same, but it's a good one! Minarets, Banner, and Ritter
I chose this peak since I was a bit tired from Cloudripper the previous day. I wanted something I could walk up without a mental challenge of routefinding. This fit the bill - put one foot in front of the other and follow the road!
Love the views
Looking back on Mammoth Mountain. Skiing in the winter, mountain biking in the summer.
Getting to the road's high point.
Now I can see Two Teats, the peak that blocks the view of San Joaquin.
More Minarets, Banner, and Ritter.
At the end of the road at Dead Man summit. From here, it's single track trail along the ridge.
Minaret view from the end of the road.
Two Teats and San Joaquin straight ahead. Unfortunately the trail drops about 300 ft here before climbing back up the ridge. Remember that for your return hike, bleh.
Following the single track up the ridge.
Say it with me now...Minarets, Ritter, Banner
The trail wiggles over some intermediate high points.
Mostly easy walking
At the high point before the named summits - found a cairn.
Two teats - the rocky point and the middle point. San Joaquin is the right of the 3 highpoints, just behind Two Teats
Getting closer to Two Teats. San Joaquin now hidden from view.
Getting high enough that I can peek down on some lakes - Rosalie and Shadow.
Steep final ascent up Two Teats
The class 3 rock pile that makes up the lower of the Two Teats
And a better look at San Joaquin. Looks far, but it's not.
Some neat little windows on the ridge - it's just like Mt Whitney!
Looking back on the 'pass' between the two teats. This was the loosest most annoying part of the trail.
San Joaquin ahead
I can see some more lakes now. Beautiful!
Summit!
San Joaquin Benchmark
Mono Lake
View from San Joaquin
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View from San Joaquin
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View from San Joaquin
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Time to head back!
The ridge - mammoth mountain in the intermediate distance.
Looking down towards Devil's Post Pile and Red's Meadow
Remember that climb? Here it is on the way back. Ick.
Back to the road.
