25 Mar 26 - Trip Report: Andrews Mountain (9,460ft), Inyo Mountains

In a normal March, we'd be playing anywhere in the snow or at the bottom of the desert valleys east of here. This March, however, temperatures were high enough to melt out the mountains surrounding the Owens Valley to over 9,000 ft elevation. 

So this week, we took advantage of the exceptionally dry spring, and set our sights on Andrews Mountain. 

The peak is fairly unknown, but if you've ever been to Bishop, you've most likely seen it. When you're in/near town, look to the Inyo Mountains in the Southeast. You'll see a perfectly rounded mountain sticking out at the northern end of the Inyos: this is Andrews Mountain.

Trip Report: 

Current As Of: 25 March 2026*

Activity During Report: Four-Wheeling, Hiking, some Class 2 Off-Trail Hiking

Gear: Sun Hoodie, La Sportiva Akyra hiking shoes, hiking poles, lots of water

Route Descriptions: "Hiking Western Death Valley" by Michel Digonnet and "Desert Summits" by Andy Zdon

Conditions: 

This hike can be of varying length, depending on your vehicle and its abilities as well as your abilities as driver. Regardless, it offers a short to medium length desert hike with some steep sections to help you get those mountain legs back after the winter season.

You approach it from Big Pine via the Big Pine Death Valley Rd, then turn right at the turn-off to Papoose Flat after 11 miles. This is the last major gravel right-turn before the Saline Valley Road turns off. If you reached that, turn around and backtrack for 1.9 miles.

If you have a highway vehicle, the drive ends for you here, and you'll hike about 6 miles each way - mostly on dirt roads with very little traffic.

If you have something off-road capable, you can keep going. Alternately, you can also use a mountain bike on the unpaved roads.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Approaching Andrews Mountain after leaving the paved Big Pine Death Valley Road

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to a 4WD Tacoma, we were able to drive further up the dirt road towards Papoose Flat. It starts off very mellow, but after 3 miles, it turns into a little canyon with a few very rocky and steep sections. If you don't feel comfortable driving these, don't sweat it! Just park off the road before those sections. Your hike from there will be about 3 miles each way.

Just past the rocks, the road gets mellow again and soon reaches another fork. At this point, you'll leave the main Papoose Flat Rd and turn left. Just another quarter mile later, there is a sizeable Pinyon Pine laying across the road - blocking it. If you reach this, just back up 30ft and park in the camp site on the right.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The end of the road, thanks to a fallen Pinyon Pine

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From here, it's about 2 miles each way to the summit. 

The hike simply follows the old dirt road - 'simply' just meaning the ease of route finding. The road climbs a very steep hillside and switches back and forth to gain access to an old mine and some prospects at the top of the ridge. This makes it a nice training hike for the early season, since the steepness offers a great workout!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The steep switchbacks come with rewarding views

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite the north-facing aspects, we didn't hike on snow at all! There were a few patches here and there in the forest, but the road was all clear. 

Once on the saddle, you turn left off the old road and follow the ridge line all the way to the summit of Andrews Mountain. Yes, there are two more dips where you lose and re-gain elevation. The last ascent is littered with loose and sharp-edged rocks. If you veer a little to the left and stick to the vegetated areas, it'll be a little easier.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the ridge leading to Andrews Mountain

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here, also no sign of snow. It's March, and we're hiking at over 9,400ft without touching snow at all!

Once on the summit, you can see the entire High Sierra from Olancha Peak to Mount Lyell. there's still a lot of snow over there, but given the current temps, that's changing day by day.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The southern High Sierra Nevada

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waucoba Mountain (11,123ft)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a quick snack break, we traced back our steps to the truck.

Warning: There is no water along the entire route! You need to carry enough.