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13,794 ft · Sierra Nevada, California

Mount Irvine

Mount Irvine is a 13,794 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the East Chute from Meysan Lake: 14 mi, 5,680 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Irvine in the Sierra Nevada, California

Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0

Mount Irvine at a glance

  • Elevation13,794 ft4,204 m
  • RouteEast Chute from Meysan LakeClass 2
  • Distance14 mi5,680 ft gain
  • Time10 – 12 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia

Climbing the East Chute from Meysan Lake

From Lone Pine, drive Whitney Portal Road to the Meysan Lake pullout above Whitney Portal Campground, walk through the campground and cabin roads, and climb the steep Meysan Lakes Trail toward Meysan Lake. Climb the loose east chute into the bowl between Mount Irvine and Mount Mallory, then walk sandy slopes and granite boulders to the summit (Class 2). Finding the right chute is the crux, and loose talus makes rockfall likely, so wear helmets. Mallory is a short traverse across the bowl. Camping in the basin requires an Inyo National Forest wilderness permit. Start early.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (35–55 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Rockfall
  • Loose rock
  • Route-finding difficulty
  • High altitude

Quests with Mount Irvine

Peaks near Mount Irvine

  1. Mount Muir

    Mount Muir

    14,018 ft · 1.7 mi away

  2. Mount Whitney

    Mount Whitney

    14,505 ft · 2.2 mi away

  3. Mount Langley

    Mount Langley

    14,032 ft · 2.6 mi away

  4. Mount Russell

    Mount Russell

    14,094 ft · 2.8 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Irvine?

Mount Irvine is 13,794 feet (4,204 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.

How hard is it to hike Mount Irvine?

The East Chute from Meysan Lake is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 14 miles with 5,680 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Irvine?

Most people take 10 – 12 hours round trip on the East Chute from Meysan Lake, covering 14 miles with 5,680 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Irvine?

The East Chute from Meysan Lake needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 14 miles with 5,680 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Will you get altitude sickness on Mount Irvine?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Irvine reaches 13,794 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

When is the best time to hike Mount Irvine?

The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Mount Irvine with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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