Mount Ericsson
Peak · 13,617 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Mount Ericsson is a 13,617-foot peak in California's Eastern Sierra, accessible from the Inyo National Forest near Bishop. Wind-exposed and avalanche terrain throughout winter and spring.
Wind accelerates through the afternoon, funneling off the high desert floor and over the ridgeline. Morning hours are notably calmer. Snow consolidates rapidly in spring; wet-slab risk peaks post-melt on south-facing slopes.
Over the past month, Mount Ericsson averaged 15 mph wind with gusts to 42 mph, typical for this exposed high-country saddle. Temperatures have averaged 22 degrees Fahrenheit; expect slower snowpack travel in early morning when neve is firm. The week ahead will show whether wind settles or sustains.
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About Mount Ericsson
Mount Ericsson sits at 13,617 feet on the crest of the Eastern Sierra, straddling the ridge between the Inyo National Forest and the high desert to the east. Access is primarily from U.S. Route 395 north of Bishop, with approach routes ascending through Tungsten Canyon or the Ericsson Lakes basin. The peak lies roughly 15 to 20 miles northeast of Bishop, depending on trailhead. Parking and approach trails are managed by the Inyo National Forest; check permit requirements and trailhead conditions before departure.
Winter and early spring dominate activity here. Temperatures have ranged from a minimum of 4 degrees Fahrenheit to a maximum of 35 degrees across the year, with the rolling 30-day average at 22 degrees, making pre-dawn ascents essential for neve climbing and ski descents. Wind averages 15 mph over the past month but regularly exceeds 30 mph in afternoon hours; the 30-day maximum was 42 mph. Snow persists well into late spring; avalanche terrain is extensive on north and northeast faces. The ESAC avalanche center covers this zone; consult current conditions and snowpack stability before any winter or spring travel.
Mount Ericsson attracts climbers and ski mountaineers seeking high-elevation desert-facing peaks with established summer scrambles and spring ski descents. Base popularity is low (0.2), meaning crowds are minimal year-round. Experienced mountaineers plan around morning calm and afternoon wind; start ascents before dawn, descend or reach shelter by early afternoon. Snowpack is the limiting factor for spring ascents; stable consolidation usually requires passage of a warm spell and refreeze cycle. Summer and fall are straightforward scramble windows with mild afternoon wind.
Nearby Tungsten Peak and Mount Inyo offer similar elevation and exposure within the same Inyo drainage; Mount Inyo is more popular and has a shorter approach. The White Mountains to the east are lower and drier but show similar wind patterns off the high desert. For those seeking less wind-exposed high-Sierra climbing, peaks in the Kearsarge Pass corridor to the west are more sheltered but require longer approach hikes.