Dayhiked up Lyell Canyon to Ireland Lake then to the east ridge. Hit the Mariposa county highpoint on the way down. Hiked with Brian from work. Great day!
davidsanger - Aug 21, 2015 2:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2015
via Lake Ireland
In from Tuolomne Meadows to Ireland Lake; camped, then summited next day x-country to saddle and up tiresome talus slope. Hit the Mariposa County HP as well. No registers to be found at all. Camped back at Lyell Canyon on the way out.
Dayhike from Tuolumne Meadows, up the East Face of Vogelsang which was a fun class 2/easy class 3, found the summit register on top, went down the easy class 2 left side gully to the Pass, then went up the ridge north and traversed sustained easy class 2 talus all the way to Parsons. Couldn't find register at the COHP but did find one on top of Parsons. Returning via Ireland Lake and the Lyell Canyon. Long day - Nearly 25 miles in about 11.5 hours. Trip report is HERE
Not a very eventful scramble. I think Simmons is a better goal for a number of reasons.
David Naylor - Sep 17, 2012 2:23 pm Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2012
With Amelia Earhart
From the John Muir hikers base camp or Lyell base camp at 10,200 feet we set the day after Lyell to climb Parson's Peak and Amelia Earhart both. Climbed Parson Peak 1st and then AE making efficient use of the topography. Satisfying day!
Michael Graupe - Aug 2, 2011 7:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2011
Traverse from Vogelsang
Vogelsang - Parsons dayhike out of Tuolumne Meadows. Thunderstorms were building already before noon and I made it down to Ireland Lake before the lightning show started. Still lots of snow.
mrchad9 - Jun 13, 2010 1:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
With Vogelsang
Camped at Ireland Lake, then up the southeast slope in the morning, over to Vogelsang in the afternoon. Beautiful sunset in the evening and out Lyell Canyon the next day.
A Bit - Sep 9, 2009 7:31 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
Dayhike
Nice hike from Tuolumne Meadows via the Rafferty Creek Trail & Vogelsang Pass.
SFMountaineer - Jul 6, 2009 3:42 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2009
From Lake Ireland
Traveled up the canyon from Lake Ireland, and up the rocky south slope to the summit. Enjoyed the ridge traverse for a while (bagged the county HP), and finished the traverse across the broad plateau before descending to Vogelsang Pass, and camping near the mosquito infested lake.
mthomas - Mar 15, 2009 10:43 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2005
On the way to Mount Lyell
Left late afternoon the day before from Tuolomne Meadows, camped at the fork between the Lyell Peak trail and the Parsons Peak trail, then climbed Parsons on the 26th and Lyell on the 27th.
keema - Aug 9, 2007 1:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2007
On my Birthday!
Joel and I camped at Ireland Lake and I summited on my birthday. Great views all around.
Matthew Holliman - Dec 1, 2006 5:43 am Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2006
From Ireland Lake
Surprisingly enjoyable scramble on the north side (contrived third class), and some pretty good views at the summit, too (like every Yosemite peak, I suppose). Longer hike than I expected, something like 9hr30 roundtrip from Tuolumne Meadows.
Bob Burd - Oct 31, 2006 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2006
Return Visit
Eight years later and I finally made it back to dayhike the peak. Matthew joined me for what turned out to be a fun scramble from the north side. It took some work to find the third class stuff. Trip Report
mlarkin2002 - Oct 10, 2006 3:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2006
Dayhike from Tuolomne Meadows
2006 Sierra Challenge. Didn't make Florence, but made Vogelsang and Parsons in a long dayhike. Caught in T-Storm in Lyell Canyon on way out.
Matt Worster - Sep 17, 2006 5:17 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2006
From Ireland
Spent a windy day and co-o-old night at Ireland, but beautiful day to summit Parsons (and on to Vogelsang). Funny to read that last entry, we found the same cairn at the county high point, but already the register is gone (or just *really* well hidden).
A wonderfully glorious climb in almost complete solitude. Used this two-day climb as acclimatization for my two-day climb of Mount Whitney later in the weekend.
Drove in and parked at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Permit Office parking lot, picked up my permit (without a reservation, woo-hoo!) and required bear canister. Hiked on JMT through Lyell Canyon to the Ireland Lake junction, and headed up the hill. Saw a steady stream of people on the JMT, but things thinned out rather sharply after turning off onto the Ireland Lake trail. After turning south at the junction with the trail that heads off to Eveyln Lake, I saw only a couple people. Once I reached Ireland Lake, and set up camp for the night, I didn't see another soul until heading out the trail the next day.
The climb up was initially easy over meadowy talus. Water everywhere, and ice/snow in some spots. Up near the saddle the wind picked up perceptably. Then the tough grind up the steep class 2 boulder field to the official summit of Parsons Peak, 12147ft. This climb was very similar to my assult of Sonora Peak directly up the southwest face in mid-August.
A blockbuster view, 360 degrees, and a special treat, the backside of Half Dome! Chilly, but not too bad, the view couldn't have been any better if I'd asked for it! This weekend was a banner weekend for views and nice weather in the Sierra Nevada!
Couldn't make out Mount Lyell from the viewshed (not familiar enough with its features), but I'm sure it is there in my panoramic pictures. After not finding the summit register, I decided to head down the ridge to the Mariposa County highpoint and see if I can find the cairn and the register. The cairn was exactly where my GPSr said it should be, kudos to Edward Earl for putting it up in 2000. New summit register placed mid-August by Charlie & Diana Winger of Montrose, CO. Thanks!
Instead of climbing back up the 100 vertical feet and back over Parsons Peak to the saddle, I decided to continue northwest along the ridge and drop down the boulder field on the northeast face of the mountain. Small glacial snowfields dotted the area, and I needed to skirt a couple of them, not carrying axe or crampons. I found the route to be far more "exhilarating" than I had hoped (why do slopes look so much easier from the top than from the bottom?), and found myself cliffed out just above the lake near where the stream cuts a deep groove into the canyon. Had to downclimb through a couple spicy class 3 moves between snowfields, but made it back to camp without much further trouble. My recommendation - follow Gary Suttle's advice and just go back the way you came up. A hundred vertical foot climb is nothing, unless, ofcourse, you're fond of descending steep class 2+ boulder fields and downclimbing class 3 rock. If this is the case, you can save yourself the trouble of backtracking and get a nice loop trip and some rock exposure at the same time!
Deb - Oct 4, 2021 1:17 pm Date Climbed: Oct 2, 2021
Traverse to SimmonsStellar ridge traverse from Parsons to Simmons; tagging a few high points along the way. Smoke was awful.
Tracy - Sep 20, 2021 4:39 am Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2021
summitted and visited the Mariposa county high point on the northwest ridgeBeautiful area of Yosemite. Hiked this one w/Michael E. Ate lunch at Ireland Lake.
colinr - Oct 6, 2017 12:32 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2017
https://peaksforfreaks.blogspot.com/2017/08/convoluted-bliss.htmlhttps://peaksforfreaks.blogspot.com/2017/08/convoluted-bliss.html
Jonodo - Sep 29, 2015 5:07 pm Date Climbed: Sep 27, 2015
Lyell CanyonDayhiked up Lyell Canyon to Ireland Lake then to the east ridge. Hit the Mariposa county highpoint on the way down. Hiked with Brian from work. Great day!
davidsanger - Aug 21, 2015 2:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2015
via Lake IrelandIn from Tuolomne Meadows to Ireland Lake; camped, then summited next day x-country to saddle and up tiresome talus slope. Hit the Mariposa County HP as well. No registers to be found at all. Camped back at Lyell Canyon on the way out.
trexkerry - Jul 13, 2014 1:50 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2014
Vogelsang then ParsonsDayhike from Tuolumne Meadows, up the East Face of Vogelsang which was a fun class 2/easy class 3, found the summit register on top, went down the easy class 2 left side gully to the Pass, then went up the ridge north and traversed sustained easy class 2 talus all the way to Parsons. Couldn't find register at the COHP but did find one on top of Parsons. Returning via Ireland Lake and the Lyell Canyon. Long day - Nearly 25 miles in about 11.5 hours. Trip report is HERE
CWessels - Jul 14, 2013 6:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2013
Traverse From Vogelsang PassNot a very eventful scramble. I think Simmons is a better goal for a number of reasons.
David Naylor - Sep 17, 2012 2:23 pm Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2012
With Amelia EarhartFrom the John Muir hikers base camp or Lyell base camp at 10,200 feet we set the day after Lyell to climb Parson's Peak and Amelia Earhart both. Climbed Parson Peak 1st and then AE making efficient use of the topography. Satisfying day!
Michael Graupe - Aug 2, 2011 7:00 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2011
Traverse from VogelsangVogelsang - Parsons dayhike out of Tuolumne Meadows. Thunderstorms were building already before noon and I made it down to Ireland Lake before the lightning show started. Still lots of snow.
mrchad9 - Jun 13, 2010 1:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
With VogelsangCamped at Ireland Lake, then up the southeast slope in the morning, over to Vogelsang in the afternoon. Beautiful sunset in the evening and out Lyell Canyon the next day.
A Bit - Sep 9, 2009 7:31 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
DayhikeNice hike from Tuolumne Meadows via the Rafferty Creek Trail & Vogelsang Pass.
SFMountaineer - Jul 6, 2009 3:42 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2009
From Lake IrelandTraveled up the canyon from Lake Ireland, and up the rocky south slope to the summit. Enjoyed the ridge traverse for a while (bagged the county HP), and finished the traverse across the broad plateau before descending to Vogelsang Pass, and camping near the mosquito infested lake.
mthomas - Mar 15, 2009 10:43 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2005
On the way to Mount LyellLeft late afternoon the day before from Tuolomne Meadows, camped at the fork between the Lyell Peak trail and the Parsons Peak trail, then climbed Parsons on the 26th and Lyell on the 27th.
Zinge - Sep 11, 2007 9:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
Dayhike~10 hrs RT. Beautiful day, beautiful weather.
keema - Aug 9, 2007 1:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2007
On my Birthday!Joel and I camped at Ireland Lake and I summited on my birthday. Great views all around.
Matthew Holliman - Dec 1, 2006 5:43 am Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2006
From Ireland LakeSurprisingly enjoyable scramble on the north side (contrived third class), and some pretty good views at the summit, too (like every Yosemite peak, I suppose). Longer hike than I expected, something like 9hr30 roundtrip from Tuolumne Meadows.
Bob Burd - Oct 31, 2006 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2006
Return VisitEight years later and I finally made it back to dayhike the peak. Matthew joined me for what turned out to be a fun scramble from the north side. It took some work to find the third class stuff. Trip Report
mlarkin2002 - Oct 10, 2006 3:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2006
Dayhike from Tuolomne Meadows2006 Sierra Challenge. Didn't make Florence, but made Vogelsang and Parsons in a long dayhike. Caught in T-Storm in Lyell Canyon on way out.
Matt Worster - Sep 17, 2006 5:17 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2006
From IrelandSpent a windy day and co-o-old night at Ireland, but beautiful day to summit Parsons (and on to Vogelsang). Funny to read that last entry, we found the same cairn at the county high point, but already the register is gone (or just *really* well hidden).
cjrandall - Sep 14, 2006 2:37 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2006
Overnight at Ireland Lake outletA wonderfully glorious climb in almost complete solitude. Used this two-day climb as acclimatization for my two-day climb of Mount Whitney later in the weekend.
Drove in and parked at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Permit Office parking lot, picked up my permit (without a reservation, woo-hoo!) and required bear canister. Hiked on JMT through Lyell Canyon to the Ireland Lake junction, and headed up the hill. Saw a steady stream of people on the JMT, but things thinned out rather sharply after turning off onto the Ireland Lake trail. After turning south at the junction with the trail that heads off to Eveyln Lake, I saw only a couple people. Once I reached Ireland Lake, and set up camp for the night, I didn't see another soul until heading out the trail the next day.
The climb up was initially easy over meadowy talus. Water everywhere, and ice/snow in some spots. Up near the saddle the wind picked up perceptably. Then the tough grind up the steep class 2 boulder field to the official summit of Parsons Peak, 12147ft. This climb was very similar to my assult of Sonora Peak directly up the southwest face in mid-August.
A blockbuster view, 360 degrees, and a special treat, the backside of Half Dome! Chilly, but not too bad, the view couldn't have been any better if I'd asked for it! This weekend was a banner weekend for views and nice weather in the Sierra Nevada!
Couldn't make out Mount Lyell from the viewshed (not familiar enough with its features), but I'm sure it is there in my panoramic pictures. After not finding the summit register, I decided to head down the ridge to the Mariposa County highpoint and see if I can find the cairn and the register. The cairn was exactly where my GPSr said it should be, kudos to Edward Earl for putting it up in 2000. New summit register placed mid-August by Charlie & Diana Winger of Montrose, CO. Thanks!
Instead of climbing back up the 100 vertical feet and back over Parsons Peak to the saddle, I decided to continue northwest along the ridge and drop down the boulder field on the northeast face of the mountain. Small glacial snowfields dotted the area, and I needed to skirt a couple of them, not carrying axe or crampons. I found the route to be far more "exhilarating" than I had hoped (why do slopes look so much easier from the top than from the bottom?), and found myself cliffed out just above the lake near where the stream cuts a deep groove into the canyon. Had to downclimb through a couple spicy class 3 moves between snowfields, but made it back to camp without much further trouble. My recommendation - follow Gary Suttle's advice and just go back the way you came up. A hundred vertical foot climb is nothing, unless, ofcourse, you're fond of descending steep class 2+ boulder fields and downclimbing class 3 rock. If this is the case, you can save yourself the trouble of backtracking and get a nice loop trip and some rock exposure at the same time!