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- Mount Tinemaha
12,566 ft · Sierra Nevada, California
Mount Tinemaha
Mount Tinemaha is a 12,566 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the South Drainage via Red Lake: 18 mi, 7,865 ft of gain, Class 2.
Photo: Eggbones, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mount Tinemaha at a glance
- Elevation12,566 ft3,830 m
- RouteSouth Drainage via Red LakeClass 2
- Distance18 mi7,865 ft gain
- Time2 – 3 daysHard effort
- SeasonJun – Oct
- RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia
Climbing the South Drainage via Red Lake
From Big Pine, take Crocker Street (Glacier Lodge Road) west and turn onto McMurry Meadows Road; its far end and the spur to the Red Lake trailhead need high clearance and ideally 4WD. Do not use the Tinemaha Campground road, which crosses locked private land. The steep, unmaintained Red Lake Trail climbs sandy slopes and overgrown springs to Red Lake. From the lake, go up the low-angle south drainage to a ridge, and the Class 2 summit is a short walk east. Start before dawn to beat the heat. An Inyo National Forest wilderness permit is required to camp at Red Lake; reserve on Recreation.gov.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (55–75 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
- Dry conditions
- Loose rock
- Route-finding difficulty
- High altitude
Quests with Mount Tinemaha
Sierra Peaks SectionPeaks near Mount Tinemaha
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Tinemaha?
Mount Tinemaha is 12,566 feet (3,830 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.
How hard is it to hike Mount Tinemaha?
The South Drainage via Red Lake is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 18 miles with 7,865 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Mount Tinemaha?
Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the South Drainage via Red Lake, with at least one night on the mountain.
Can a beginner hike Mount Tinemaha?
The South Drainage via Red Lake needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard trip: 18 miles with 7,865 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Mount Tinemaha?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Tinemaha reaches 12,566 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 Tinemaha?
The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Mount Tinemaha 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