Hiking the Carillon Creek drainage near Mt Whitney

There is a nameless peak next to Mt Carillon that has good views of the mountains around Mt Whitney. It is not a difficult climb (a mere 3950m of altitude) but it is very difficult to reach, hence rarely climbed. Furthermore, it doesn't have a name, which doesn't encourage people to climb it. I call it "Lower Carillon Peak" because the Carillon creek actually starts from this mountain, not from Mt Carillon. There are two ways to get to this peak from Whitney Portal. In theory, the easiest and shortest would be to start the Mt Whitney trail and then turn right at the very first creek crossing, which is Carillon creek, and then follow the creek to the top. Alas, there is no trail, not even a use-trail. In fact, in 2020 the sign wasn't even visible, obliterated by overgrown vegetation. Once you start following the creek, you have to bushwhack for at least one hour before you emerge out of the jungle, and it is steep terrain. Resist the temptation to climb the granite slopes on your right because those lead to increasingly dangerous granite walls. In fact, this is probably the steepest route out of Whitney Portal. The bushwhacking can be very painful, especially if you are wearing shorts. Once you start seeing what is ahead of you, there is a relatively obvious route to follow which minimizes the bushwhacking. Stay not too far from the creek. When it becomes impossible to follow the creek without climbing granite slopes, cross the creek to the southern side and you'll find gentler terrain. There is a relatively easy way to cross the creek to the left and continue on easier terrain. Eventually, the creek dries up and you are simply walking up a green gulch. Eventually, you reach a split. On the left there is a nice view of the North Fork route, way below you, and Mt Whitney straight in front of you. On the right the slope continues up towards Mt Carillon. Mark the territory because on the way back it is not trivial to find the Carillon Creek route. Keep going up and this Lower Carillon Peak will be right on top of you. Ascend the worst scree of the area until a saddle, then turn right towards the false summit. The real summit is behind it. It would be an easy scramble without the scree. The second way to reach this peak is to use the North Fork route to the first lake, leave the trail just before the first lake and ascend the green slopes being careful not to steer left into the slippery and deadly granite. You are following the Lone Pine Creek. When you get to a green plateau, take the chute to the right and you'll be ascending the same Lower Carillone Peak.

Pictures of this hike Weather forecast Video of the view As of 2020, this whole route falls outside the Whitney Zone and does not require a permit for a day hike (i fear the day that the rangers will discover this route and simply expand the Whitney Zone to include it)