Two Teats / San Joaquin Mountain
Ascents of Two Teats (South Ridge from Deadman Pass, class 3) and San Joaquin Mountain (South Ridge from Deadman Pass, class 1), August 7, 2024.
Timeline:
August 7, 2024: I dropped off Maia at day camp and drove to Minaret Summit. From there I took the dirt road that runs north toward Deadman Pass. I was able to drive all the way (2.5 miles), and saw only a Jeep parked partway on the side of the road, and another 4Runner near where I parked. I also passed a couple who was hiking the road and did not seem too pleased to see me driving on it. I made it to the end of the road, at a summit overlooking Deadman Pass (Peak 3,122 m). I started hiking at 9:55. The trail first took me steeply down to Deadman Pass, then back up on the other side on the gently rolling hills that line the south ridge of San Joaquin Mountain. Soon, I came in view of the Two Teats. I first headed up the western summit, up a class 3 face that brought me to a shallower ramp and up a short ridge to the summit (11:24). The views of the Minarets, Mount Ritter and Banner Peak were excellent on this clear day. I then headed to the eastern summit (11:39), which is higher and the named peak on various maps. This was very quick (class 1). I then continued on along the South Ridge to the summit of San Joaquin Mountain, which I reached at 12:04. I found the register entry from my previous hike up this peak with Jerry Nickelsburg, in 2014, and added a new entry. I was surprised that the peak does not get climbed more, given its proximity to Mammoth Lakes. After about 15 minutes on the summit, I retraced my steps back to the car (13:50). The drive back was gorgeous and uneventful, and I was even able to go home for lunch before picking up Maia from camp. (A 3:56 hour day, 3:28 hours moving, 7.45 miles, 2,574 ft of elevation gain).