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North Ridge 
South West Face (Harding) Route 
West Ridge, Mount Conness 


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Mt. Conness 


Photos: Recent | Best | Popular
Elevation: 12,590'
Lat, Long: 37.9672, -119.3192 Map
Page Views: 59,901. Good page?   
Administrators: M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson
Submitted By: M.Morley on Jun 24, 2007

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BETA PHOTO: The SW Face of Mt. Conness

Description 

Mt. Conness (named after former California senator John Conness) straddles Yosemite National Park and Inyo National Forest, forming the eastern border of the Park. It is the third highest peak in Yosemite National Park (first is Mt. Lyell at 13,114 ft, second is Mt. Dana at 13,061 ft). The Conness Glacier lies to the east.


Getting There 

The most direct way to approach both the North Ridge and West Ridge routes is from the trailhead at Saddlebag Lake (10,060'). A longer approach from Tuolumne Meadows to Young Lakes is also possible. Allow a minimum of 2 hours for the approach.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Mt. Conness:
North Ridge   Easy 5th     Trad, Alpine   
West Ridge, Mount Conness   5.6     Trad, Alpine, 10 pitches, 1500 feet, Grade IV   
South West Face (Harding) Route   5.10c     Trad, Alpine, 9 pitches, 1200 feet, Grade IV   
Browse More Classics in Mt. Conness

Featured Route For Mt. Conness
The Goodrich Memorial at the base of the SW Face

South West Face (Harding) Route 5.10c  CA : Yosemite National Park : ... : Mt. Conness
Considering the rock quality in a couple sections, a few insecure moves and the wide crack, that would be a burly solo! I can't decide what is more sick...Peter Croft's onsight solo or Walt Shipley's after doing the route roped and knowing what to expect!!The route is exciting and physical and a must do for the High Sierra tick list. Pitch 1: 3 options...Center option is a groove to a roof (slightly loose) (9+, 115').Pitch 2: Easiest free version is to step down and traverse right on the lower c...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA


Photos of Mt. Conness Slideshow Add Photo
Mt. Conness on the approach from Saddlebag Lake.

BETA PHOTO: Mt. Conness on the approach from Saddlebag Lake.

Conness Glacier

BETA PHOTO: Conness Glacier

Looking back down the Conness Lakes drainage to the east.

BETA PHOTO: Looking back down the Conness Lakes drainage to th...

Mt. Conness SW Face

Mt. Conness SW Face

SW Face of Mt. Conness

SW Face of Mt. Conness

Mt. Conness in warmer days

Mt. Conness in warmer days

North Ridge, Mt. Conness at day break

BETA PHOTO: North Ridge, Mt. Conness at day break

Mt. Conness from a distance, Tioga Peak in the foreground. <br /> <br />Picture taken from Glacier Canyon

Mt. Conness from a distance, Tioga Peak in the for...

These waterfalls are not only pretty, they also mark the spot where you should diverge off of the main trail and go up the hill to the right in order to reach the east ridge and summit plateau. July 2010

These waterfalls are not only pretty, they also ma...

southwest face from the start of the descent gully off of the plateau.

southwest face from the start of the descent gully...

The notch at upper right can be seen from the flat meadow area above the waterfall. Topping out over that notch would land you on the summit sandy plateau with your first view of the actual Conness summit. 26 Aug 2011.

BETA PHOTO: The notch at upper right can be seen from the flat...

First view of the Conness summit on the right once topping out past the notch onto the sandy plateau. 26 Aug 2011.

BETA PHOTO: First view of the Conness summit on the right once...

Mt. Conness from the approach to the North Ridge. Photo by Brian Aitken taken 07/24/2012.

Mt. Conness from the approach to the North Ridge. ...

Looking back at the lakes from the start to the North Ridge. Photo by Brian Aitken taken 07/24/2012.

Looking back at the lakes from the start to the No...

One of the streams that cuts through a meadow just below a glacier on Mt. Conness. The stream becomes a waterfall a hundred yards further down. Photo by Brian Aitken taken 07/24/2012.

One of the streams that cuts through a meadow just...

From pitch 7 (perhaps) high exposure on West ridge Mt Conness

BETA PHOTO: From pitch 7 (perhaps) high exposure on West ridge...

Conness summit and top of west ridge, from near the descent notch

Conness summit and top of west ridge, from near th...

North and East Ridges of Conness seen from North Peak.

BETA PHOTO: North and East Ridges of Conness seen from North P...

East Ridge of Conness as seen from the summit.

BETA PHOTO: East Ridge of Conness as seen from the summit.


Comments on Mt. Conness Add Comment
Show which comments —
By Luke Stefurak
From: Mountain View, CA
Sep 21, 2009

Approach beta from Sawmill Campground at Saddlebag Lake can be found here:
www.dreaminvertical.com/?p=1793

By Laine
From: Reno, NV
Sep 6, 2011

I found Stefurak's beta useful, however, we found that we had to hike at least 5-10 mins downhill, south of the plateau before we found the correct descent gully to the base of the SW face/ W ridge. The cairn marking the trail down the gully was not visible until we were directly on top of it.

By Murf
Sep 6, 2011

Laine has a great point. Luke's beta is spot on until the end. I don't believe there is any reason to go all the way to the cemented Geo Survey windbreaks. The correct descent is just to the right of the left snowbank in this photo.



On the sandy plateau, continue towards Conness dropping slightly. There are a couple of bivy windbreaks well lower than the high shoulder with the Geo Survey ones. From these, drop into the sandy wash and then back up to the area between the two snowbanks in the photo above tending toward the left notches.