Mount Wood

Overview

 Mt. Wood is an east side giant rising above the June Lakes area south of Mono Lake in the Eastern Sierra. It is composed of metamorphic slate like its neighbors Mt. Lewis, Mt. Gibbs and Mt Dana to the north. This big massif also includes Parker Peak 12,851', (Norman Clydes first, first ascent) on its northwest side where it connects with Koips Peak Pass. Wood has 2 summits. One overlooks the east slope and the named summit .2 miles west of it.
The east slope is a big dayhike involving over 5,400' of gain from Silver Lake or an easy hike from Koips Peak Pass from which it could be combined with Parker Peak on an overnighter.
The east slope is a featured ski run in John Moynier's "Backcountry Skiing California's High Sierra".

Getting There

 FROM KOIPS PEAK PASS FROM YOSEMITE TIOGA PASS AREA: Go south 1.5 miles from Tioga Pass and take the Parker Pass Trail 3.5 miles to the Mono pass junction and go right. Go over Parker Pass and continue to Koips Peak Pass (12,240') at 4.7 miles. Hike due east up to Parker Peak, 12,850' (class 2) and continue on the rolling summit plateau to Mt. Wood at 4.3 miles. Go .2 miles east to the east summit for a good view into the June Lake/Mono Basin area.
FROM SILVER LAKE, JUNE LAKES: Take the trail from Silver Lake south then west up past Agnew and Gems Lakes, then north up past Alger Lakes to Koips Peak Pass at 10.5 miles.
MT. WOOD EAST SLOPE: From the north end of Silver Lake take the Parker Lake trail north to a saddle at 1.8 miles. Go west southwest up the east slope (class 2) of Mt. Wood to a plateau on the southeast slope (approx. 11,300'). Take the southeast slope to the summit.

Red Tape

 The east slope route requires no permits since it can be done in a day.
The approach through Yosemite Nat. Park requires overnight permits obtained by calling Yosemite National Park 209-372-0200.
The approach from the south out of June Lakes goes though the Minaret Wilderness and permits are required for overnight. Call the Ansel Adams Wilderness (which includes the Minaret Wilderness) 760-924-5500.

Camping

  There are 2 campgrounds at the north end of Silver Lake at 7,200'.

Etymology

Named in 1894 by Lt. N.F. Maclure for Captain Abram Epperson Wood, acting superintendent of Yosemite National Park, 1891-1893. (Farquhar: Maclure.) Wood commanded the first troops assigned to Yosemite Companies I and K of the Fourth Cavalry. They arrived on May 19, 1891, and set up camp at Wowona. (Bingaman, Guardians, 83.) (DNF) Place Names of the Sierra Nevada, Peter Browning, Wilderness Press

Images

View Mount Wood Image Gallery - 21 Images