On July 1-2, 1961 I climbed 13,510' Mt. Gayley on a eighteen mile round trip 4th July Trip with the Sierra Club - Don Deck, Bill Thomas, Hugh Lantz, Fred Cochran, Larry Johnson.
Mount Gayley is a significant mountain strategically placed near some of the best and highest mountains in California. As such, it provides an awesome “warm up” for some bigger endeavors in the Palisade Range.
It offers fun Class 3 scrambling from the east side or the west, more difficult routes on the North face, or one summit in a series on an awesome traverse. However you get to the top, the summit provides incredible views.
We camped at hanging valley (Sam Mack Meadow) after hiking in from the roadhead - arriving about 1:30 p.m. It is possible to continue on toward the Palisade Glacier and camp about an hour further on - below the glacier.
From the camp it took 4 1/2 hours to climb Gayley - could be done a little faster. Class 3+ from glacier to ridge. Good view of Palisade area from the peak. Good trail from glacier.
Mt. Gayley climb route map
Mt. Gayley/Winchell/Palisade Glacier Trip itinerary
