Trip Report: North Peak to North Ridge of Mt. Conness

If you love scrambling long, granite ridgelines, glaciers and alpine lakes, and 360 degrees of expansive views, then this route may be for you! North Peak to the North Ridge of Mt. Conness is an epic, all-day adventure for those who enjoy exposure, two summits, and 5.6 ridge climbing. 

Trip Report: 

Current As Of: 02 August 2026*

Activity During Report: Off-trail hiking, scrambling, 5.6 climbing at altitude

Gear Selection: helmet, harness, rappel line, approach shoes, lots of water (no water source on either route or between), light puffy jacket, rain jacket, sun screen, sun glasses. 

This route begins and ends at Saddlebag Lake, located just outside of the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park. We elected to camp nearby and drive to the Saddlebag Lake Trailhead in the early morning to ensure a timely start. We donned our daypacks and crossed the Saddlebag Lake Dam at its southern point, hiking around the lake on its western side. This trail is fairly flat and rocky, and we made quick progress to the northern end of Saddlebag Lake, entering the 20 Lakes Basin with gorgeous morning light illuminating our first objective: North Peak. 

On the approach through 20 Lakes Basin

While the western side of North Peak is unimpressive talus and scree, the eastern side, as we were approaching, exhibits stunning steep granite and ridges. We briskly hiked on a well-maintained trail to Steelhead Lake, meandered off trail past Potter and Towser Lakes, before picking up a use trail headed north. Our linkup today started with ascending North Peak via the Northwest Ridge, and the final approach over granite slabs and sub alpine meadow brought us steadily up to the base of the ridge. We donned our helmets and began scrambling. 

Marmots everywhere!

The first portion of the ridge contains the hardest scrambling, with some fourth and low-fifth class moves completed early on, and beautiful views opening up to the west into Yosemite's stunning, less-traveled scenery north of Tioga Road. The scrambling difficulty eases to second and third class for the final push to North Peak's summit. We savored the views over 20 Lakes Basin and Tuolumne Meadows, naming all the peaks we could, before descending the south ridge to North Peak pass, and traversing to the base of the North Ridge of Mt. Conness. 

Looking back at North Peak from Mount Conness North Ridge

With North Peak to our backs and Mt. Conness rising before us, the second ridge for the day did not disappoint. Unlike North Peak, the North Ridge of Mount Conness starts with more mellow scrambling, second and third class, with the cruxes of the route being the down climbs from the top of the towers down to the notches. We scrambled up and down the first tower with careful route finding, enjoying the more challenging climbing. We scrambled to the top of the second tower and saw the first of two rappel stations, choosing to bypass it with continued scrambling down. Upon reaching the second rappel station, the terrain steepened, and we elected to use our harnesses and rappel line to descend the final 40 feet to the notch.

Scrambling on Mount Conness

Rappelling on Mount Conness

Some folks elect to rappel at both stations, and other folks do not rappel at all; it is important to know your skill level with climbing in the alpine and your risk tolerance to make the correct, safest choice for yourself.  This also applies for aspects of scrambling, which some folks may elect to rope up for using traditional gear to protect ascent. 

More scrambling on Mount Conness

The final scramble up the headwall of Mt. Conness contained our favorite climbing for the day, with fun movement up featured slabs, corners and even a chimney to the summit proper. We were elated to have the summit to ourselves for a long snack break, continuing the game of naming as many peaks as possible, with expansive views all the way to Half Dome.

On the descent route

We descended Mount Conness towards the Sawmill Campground Trailhead; be sure to be familiar with the beta for this route, which requires descending the plateau at the northeast corner from a specific gully in order to avoid dangerous steep terrain. Soon after, our off-trail hiking in the alpine faded into the subalpine, with flowing creeks and meadows emerging amongst the slabs. We further descended to the established trail and hiked through the forest, through the Sawmill Campground, and up Saddlebag Road to our awaiting car, thoroughly satisfied with the movement and beauty of the loop.