Overview
Mount Corcoran is located in the Southern Sierras, right between Mount Whitney and Mount Langley. Being in the Mount Whitney/Mount Langley region causes Mount Corcoran to receive only a handful of visitors each year. The actual summit of Corcoran is the highest of four bumps along the ridgeline that runs South from Mount LeConte. Mount Corcoran is not a prominent point from either Lone Pine or Miter Basin, but it offers many fun routes for climbers of all abilities. The easiest route is the climb via from the North Notch, which is a mixture of Class 2-3.
Getting There
Mount Corcoran can be reached from the Meysan Lakes area, the Turtle Creek drainage, or Miter Basin. For the Meysan Lakes approach, take highway 395 to Lone Pine, then turn onto Whitney Portal road. Follow this road until one reaches a locked gate on the road next to the Whitney Portal campgrounds. Signs point through the campground and up a back road to the Meysan Lakes trail. Follow this trail to upper Meysan Lake, then climb one of the many chutes to the plateau between LeConte and Mallory. This route requires some tricky route finding on a traverse around the backside of LeConte. For the Turtle Creek approach take Whitney Portal road as above, but turn onto Horseshoe Meadows Rd. Then turn into either the Turtle Creek Campground or down Granite view road. From the end of either road hike up the Turtle Creek drainage. The Miter Basin approach can be reached from the Horseshoe Meadows trailhead at the end of Horseshoe Meadow Road(directions above).
Red Tape
No permits are required for day hikes on any of the routes, but the normal overnight permit is required for all that spend at least one night in the backcountry. These permits can be acquired at the Forest Service Ranger Station in Lone Pine. No other restrictions or limitations.
Lone Pine; 760-876-6200
Bishop; 760-873-2500
Inyo National Forest
When To Climb
The normal climbing season is between June and September. In early season and after the first snow crampons and ice axes are often required. Snow ascents are possible either via Meysan Lakes or Tuttle Creek.
Camping
There are many overnight campsites around the starting points of the climb. Tuttle Creek campground and the Horseshoe Meadow campground usually have open spots for camping. The Whitney Portal campground at the base of the Meysan Lakes trail is often full. An overnight fee is required for all campsites. Backcountry permits are usually plentiful and can be reserved ahead of time for $5 a person. Normal Wilderness restrictions apply for overnight camping.
Mountain Conditions
To check mountain and road conditions or to reserve a permit call the Lone Pine Ranger Station or the White Mountain Rangers Station in Bishop.
Inyo National Forest Road Conditions
External LinksImages
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John Muir Wilderness
