Little Lakes Peak

Overview

Little Lakes Peak is located in the beautiful Little Lakes Valley and offers great views of the nearby Bear Creek Spire, Mount Mills, Mount About and its closest neighbor, Mount Morgan (among others). Despite its easy access (from Morgan Pass) it gets far less visitors than its better known (and higher) neighbors.
Little Lakes Peak offers a class 2 scree slope as its easiest ascent route on the south side of the peak. However, the traverse from Mount Morgan is most enjoyable (class 3) and the peak also offers a class 4 route on the northwest ridge and class 5 slabs on the south west side (directly accessible from Morgan Pass). Fiddler and Moynier list the traverse to Mount Morgan as one of the 100 best hikes in the high sierra

Getting There

The trailhead is at Mosquito Flat. Heading South on Highway 395, south of Mammoth Lakes, turn west at Tom's Place onto Rock Creek Road, just before the highway drops toward Bishop. 11 miles up the road from Highway 395, you find the trailhead.

Red Tape

No permit is needed when dayhiking the peak. If you are planning a overnight you need a permit which can be obtained at the Ranger station in Bishop, CA. Inyo National Forest White Mountain Ranger District 798 North Main Street (395) #760-873-2500.

When To Climb

The peak is usually climbed in the summer months. But the winter months and the prospect of skiing neighboring Mount Morgan (after doing the traverse from Little Lakes Peak) also offer a good incentive to go up there. However, there are easy ways to climb (and ski) Mount Morgan in the winter than by traversing from Little Lakes Peak.

Mountain Conditions

The ranger station in Bishop can be contacted for conditions:
760-873-2500
798 North Main Street