SummitPost.org

Can anyone recommend good day hikes from camping at Treasure Lake in the Eastern Sierra? Or possibly from Long Lake. We're looking for two hikes to do, to the top of a pass, maybe top of a peak. Scrambling is fine as long as it's not too technical. Thanks for your help, it's greatly appreciated!

Anywhere in that drainage will provide near endless possibilities for hikes and/or scrambles; on the easy side would be to Mount Morgan on the eastern side of the valley, but probably the best view from a non-technical summit would be from the top of Pyramid Peak, right next to BCSpire (the black peak with gold and pink banding) - head for the saddle btw them and stay on the crest to the summit is the most beautiful and interesting way up, and the views down into Pine Creek ion the other side are knock out. Slightly more spicy would be Mounts Abbot or Dade - no gear req'd, but lots of loose rock, so be careful. Pipsqueak Spire is a badly named beautiful summit in the immediate area as well.

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-abbot/150485
http://www.summitpost.org/pipsqueak-spire/154274
http://www.summitpost.org/pyramid-peak- ... ley/151351

Mono Pass

+2 on Pyramid. I'm surprised it's gotten that many suggestions since, when I did it a while back, the summit register was paltry. If you camp at Long Lake, there's a use trail from it's west end (the far side as you're hiking in) that leads up to Dade Lake, where you can access the ridge between Pyramid and BCS and start the North Ridge. There's only a single, short section of class 3. Little Lakes Peak is another summit with a great view but is probably too technical.

Little Lakes Peak can be kept at Class 2 if you start your ascent closer to Upper Morgan Lake. I found Pyramid to be a messy scramble but definitely easy. Just climbed an unnamed peak over Morgan Pass next to Rosy Finch this week, can be Class 2 to Class 5 off the west ridge - real quick trip from the pass. Rosy Finch is fun but dangerous - lots of movable surfaces.
Snow in Hour Glass Couloir on Dade is neglible if you want to check out that peak. Stay close to ridge on your right to make it more interesting than a slog on scree. West ridge of Treasure is easily Class 3 and terrific point to view the entire area from! Access from Mills Lake.
Skeeters are crazy out there too.