Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Favorite class 3 routes in the Sierra

For those of you have extensive experience in the Sierra, I would greatly appreciate a list of your top five class 3 routes in the Sierra. Planning for this summer and want to try to find the highest quality routes that I have not already climbed.

Thank you!

These were all memorable:
Middle Palisade
Split Mountain
From the JMT to Tulainyo Lake and then over Russell/Carillon pass to Whitney Portal.
Miter Basin, over Crabtree Pass, Crabtree drainage.

I didn't realize there was a class 3 route. What is it?

There is a trail to almost to Red Lake. From there, it is cross-country. I guess most of it is actually Class 2. Getting to the trail head has been rough in the past. Not sure how bad the road is now.

Here's the CalTopo link.

While only a short section of Class 3, the hike up Mt Gould was nice, getting to Kearsarge Pass. Really nice area there.

I’m sure you know about some of these, and have probably done a few already, but here are some ideas (in no particular order):
Mt. Muir from the Whitney trail
Whitney Mountaineers’ Route
Glacier Ridge (a very long way in and class 4, but really cool)
Mt. Hooper (class 4-5 summit block)
Lost Cannon Peak (look it up – very cool)
Independence Peak
Mt. Tyndall (North Rib – a favorite)
Dragon Peak
Milestone Mountain
Red Kaweah
Tehipite Dome
Middle Palisade
Castle Peak
Arrow Peak
Mt. McAdie
Mt. Russell (east ridge)
Mt Carillon (from the Cleaver – not the standard route)
Trojan Peak (from the northwest)

Here's a few not mentioned:
Pyramid Pk from Window Pk Lk.
Mt. Winchell, E. Arete
Dearhorn Man
Mt. Ruskin from Cartridge Pass

Have fun

Hey Bob,

Ever since I saw Milestone Mt. (from afar), I've been wanting to go there. I know you can approach it from the west or east. I would be by myself, so I would like to pick the least risky way. Do you have any thought on that? I mainly worry about the last quarter mile to the top - getting to the base should be no problem from what I read.

Gustavo

The ones that John E mentions are all worthwhile, though the route I did on Deerhorn was class 4.

We came from the east (over Shepherd Pass) for Milestone. It involved some interesting routefinding and some fun class 3. Midway was an easy addition. Table (the next day) was a real piece of crap.

Any more details on this one? Have you linked up Cleaver-Carillon-Russell (and maybe even Morgenson)?

8-11-92. I went over the Russell-Carillon Saddle and found a nice class 4 route up Carl Heller. Then I did Morgenson and found an original Norman Clyde signature in the register. Finally, I more-or-less did the ridge from Tunnabora to The Cleaver and finally to Carillon. I can’t remember any details (that was 27 years ago), but I remember being stoked when I finished. I skipped Russell because I had already done it.

Not sure what route Bob did on Carl Heller, but if you're not limited to class 3, the East Arete of Carl Heller is the best non technical route I've done in the Sierra.
Check out the photo in Secor's guide.

Well aware of this one, it's on my bucket list. Did you do it in a day? How long did it take to get through George Creek to the base of the arete? Timing of the rest of the day?

Spent 3 days also climbing a few other peaks on the way.
Went in over Russell Carrilon pass and camped at Tulainyo Lk. Went over Tunnabora and down to the base of the e. arete and descended the west side and back to Tulainyo. Out the next day.
Did hear that Peter Croft did it in a day but was disappointed in his time because when he returned to the Portal the store was closed and he couldn't get a burger. Of course he also did the E. Face of Whitney and the Fishhook arete on Russell on the way in.
Cheers