For the Labor Day weekend, Shannon and I made plans to tackle the long drive, hike, and semi-technical climb of California’s second highest mountain: Mount Williamson, followed by the fine scrambling route up nearby Mount Tyndall.

Despite its slightly lower elevation (14,373’ vs 14,498’), Williamson packs a bit more of a punch on all other fronts: the hike from the trailhead is longer, about 26 miles up-and-back versus about 21 on Mount Whitney. The starting trailhead elevation is lower, 6,400’ for Shepherd Pass versus 8,400’ for Whitney Portal, and the standard route up Mount Williamson loses elevation a couple of times: on the initial climb low down, and upon entering the Williamson Bowl. And the final few miles en route to the summit of Williamson involve some tedious talus hopping across the Williamson Bowl followed by a 50’ class 3 chimney near the summit, whereas the standard route up Whitney follows a class 1 trail the whole way.

At 14,019’, Mount Tyndall is a bit shorter but still meets the arbitrary elevation cutoff of 14,000’, making it one of California’s 14ers. The usual route up Tyndall, the North Rib, is solidly class 3, but reportedly quite enjoyable, a long scramble on solid rock.

Needless to say, we figured this would be more comfortable as an overnight adventure.

I secured a permit and arranged to have it night-dropped in Bishop and we made our way over Sonora Pass and down 395 before camping by ourselves at the trailhead.