Mount Gayley

Mount Gayley is a mountain summit located one mile east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Inyo County, California, United States. It is situated in the Palisades area of the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is approximately west-southwest of the community of Big Pine, southwest of Temple Crag, and north-northeast of parent Mount Sill. Mount Gayley ranks as the 59th highest summit in California.

History

The name commemorates Charles Mills Gayley, beloved English professor and Academic Dean of the University of California, Berkeley. This mountain's name was officially adopted prior to 1939 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names based on a recommendation by the Sierra Club. Mount Sill and nearby Mount Jepson were also named for University of California professors. The first ascent of the summit was made June 10, 1927, by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.

Climbing

Established climbing routes on Mount Gayley:

Southwest Ridge – – First ascent 1927
South Face – class 3 – Several possible routes
West Face – class 3 – FA June 1950 by Robert Cogburn and Ed Robbins

Access from Big Pine: Glacier Lodge Road, North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail, then Glacier Trail.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Mount Gayley is located in an alpine climate zone. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range. This climate supports the Palisade Glacier below the west slope. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into Big [Pine Creek (California)|Big Pine Creek].