by Mike | May 27, 2025 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra
The seed for this tour started for me in 1994 when I got my hands on the Moynier High Sierra Skiing Guidebook. This peak wasn’t in there, but I ticked all of them except one I believe passes the sketchy threshold for my age at this point. Then I moved over to...
by Mike | Jan 1, 2025 | Backcountry Ski, Eastern Sierra
Here are some pics from two separate outings. I aim for Leavitt Peak every year when Sonora Pass hwy 108 opens. Maybe I actually have got there 5 times and skied the same thing, the highest peak in a nice half day ski. I should go ski some neighboring terrain, but...
by Mike | May 11, 2023 | Backcountry Ski, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
This year has been a record snowfall year. 900″ at Mammoth Mountain. Over May 6-9, 2023, Dan from Mammoth and I went to explore Taboose Pass. Neither of us had been over the Crest in this specific area, or even up this trail. My perception for Taboose pass as a...
by Mike | Apr 9, 2023 | Backcountry Ski, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Here’s what I know about this beautiful peak. The summit of Mt. Walt isn’t easy to get on, the snow can be tricky, and it is generally overlooked. The funny thing is Mt. Walt is right above your car at Twin Lakes Campground and looks exciting, and even...
by Mike | Jan 11, 2023 | Backcountry Ski, Eastern Sierra
Mt. Locke 12,500′ elevation Change 4000′ This was one of my first East side Peaks following Jim Harper. I see Will Richardson in these old photos, so I assume we skied Mt. Lewis in this same trip. Jim is in those photos too. Will was my first employee. A...
by Mike | Jan 10, 2023 | Backcountry Ski, Eastern Sierra
Mt. Langley 14,042’ Elevation Change 6500’ This could be your first 14er ski descent. Mt. Langley is big and remote, but easy to navigate and not skied very often. This is the most southern California 14er, far enough from population centers that it gets...
by Mike | Jan 10, 2023 | Backcountry Ski, Eastern Sierra
Mt. Tom 13,652’ Elevation change – 7500’ In Mid-March of 2003 I skied from the summit of Mt. Tom with Scott Shield and John Crus. It was Scott’s 30th birthday. We are all the same age. 20 years later I’m sitting at home creating this website post and I feel...
by Mike | Jan 10, 2023 | Backcountry Ski, Eastern Sierra
Mt. Humphreys 13,986’ Elevation Change – 5500’ The Sierra Crest above Bishop is an impressive and attractive ski mountaineering panorama. As high as they are, however, they are only the beginning. Climb to the top of any of them and the magnitude and beauty of the...
by Mike | Jan 10, 2020 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: Northern Kings Canyon National ParkElevation: 13,568′Elevation Change: about 5000’ and multi-dayRecommended Map: Kings Canyon High Country – Tom Harrison Mt. Goddard can be seen from most every big Eastern Sierra Peak from Bishop to Big Pine. Eric Ongerth...
by Mike | May 10, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: South Lake above Bishop, CAElevation: 13,085’Elevation Change: 3,317’Recommended Map: Bishop Pass – Tom Harrison The view of Mt. Goode from Long Lake is one you’ll never forget, and quite easy to reach from your car. What you...
by Mike | May 10, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: Palisades above Big Pine, CA Elevation: 14,153′ Elevation Change: 5,900′ Recommended Map: kings Canyon High Country – Tom Harrison Mt. Sill is the BIG guy you see from hwy 395 in Big Pine, CA. This 14er sits proud in the center of the...
by Mike | Apr 16, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: Independence, CAElevation: 12,618’Elevation Change: 3,433′ up, 5000′ downRecommended Map: Kings Canyon High Country – Tom Harrison Assessing conditions for skiing Kearsarge Peak is pretty easy, you can see most of the terrain...
by Mike | Apr 16, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Featured Adventures, South Shore, Tahoe Area
Location: Desolation WildernessElevation: 9,856’Elevation Change: 3,500’Recommended Map: Desolation Wilderness – Tom Harrison or Lake Tahoe Southwest – Alpine Ski Tours Jack’s Peak isn’t skied often, which is exactly why you should...
by Mike | Apr 11, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: North Lake above Bishop, CAElevation: Mt. Darwin 13,831′ and Mt. Lamark 13,417’Elevation Change: 4200′ for Lamarck. 5700′ for Darwin. add 500′ to connect bothRecommended Map: Bishop Pass – Tom Harrison These pics are from...
by Mike | Apr 11, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: Buttermilks above Bishop, CA or access from AspendaleElevation: 13,225’Elevation Change: …Recommended Map: Mono Divide – Tom Harrison The North Couloir of Mt. Emerson starts the butterflies twirling in your stomach when you see it from the...
by Mike | Apr 11, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: Pine Creek Trailhead above town of Rovana, north of BishopElevation: 13,242’Elevation Change: 5,500’Recommended Map: Mono Divide – Tom Harrison This is another one of the peaks where you know your doin’ it as soon as you see it. For...
by Mike | Apr 11, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures, Mammoth
Location: McGee Creek Trailhead near Mammoth LakesElevation: 12,200’Elevation Change: 4,500’Recommended Map: … Esha is a picturesque little peak that is easy to see and access right off hwy 395 with an ideal layout. The climb and upper descent is no...
by Mike | Apr 11, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: South Lake above BishopElevation: 12,871’Elevation Change: 3,103’Recommended Map: Bishop Pass – Tom Harrison I won’t forget this day and need to go repeat this peak soon. These pics are from April 27, 2009. I joined up with John Morrison,...
by Mike | Apr 11, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Big Pine, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures, Independence
Location: Taboose Creek Campground south of Big PineElevation: 12,772’Elevation Change: 6,500′ +/- based on snow levelRecommended Map: Kings Canyon High Country – Tom Harrison I found this less known east side giant by asking Howie Schwartz for something...
by Mike | Apr 11, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Bridgeport, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: Twin Lakes – BridgeportElevation: 11,171’Elevation Change: 4,071’Recommended Map: Hoover Wilderness – Tom Harrison I liked the look of Hunewill Peak each time I ski toured out of Twin Lakes. It’s amazing to look at. I would get...
by Mike | Apr 11, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Bridgeport, Eastern Sierra
Location: Sawtooths BridgeportElevation: 11,010’Elevation Change: 3,910’Recommended Map: Hoover Wilderness – Tom Harrison These pics are from my one time skiing Kettle Peak on March 1, 2007 with one of my first ski touring role models. But first, thanks to...
by Mike | Apr 11, 2019 | Backcountry Ski, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures, Mammoth
Location: Near Crowley Lake and Mammoth on hwy 395Elevation: 10,871’Elevation Change: 3,200’Recommended Map: … Mt. McGee is the most accessible big peak in the eastern sierra, which explains why mammoth Mountain Ski Corp built their first chair lift...
by Mike | Apr 27, 2018 | Backcountry Ski, Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Featured Adventures
Location: Near Bishop, CA – East Side of the SierraElevation Change: 3,338’Recommended Map: Tom Harrison Maps – Bishop Pass Mt. Gilbert 13,106’ – I love Mt. Gilbert for its friendly terrain, easily skied in a half day by competent backcountry skiers....
