Amies Photos > Sierra Peaks > Mount Sill

Mount Sill

Mount Sill (14,153 ft) is one of the most prominent peaks in the Palisades. It can be climbed via either the South Fork Big Pine Creek Trail, the North Fork Big Pine Creek Trial, or the Bishop Pass Trail. The easiest, though longest route, is the Southwest Chutes.

Mount Sill from the South
Swiss Arete on Mount Sill
Palisade Crest and Scimitar Pass from the Soutn
Looking up Scimitar Pass
On Scimitar Pass
On the Summit of Mount Sill
Palisades Location Map
Trails in the Palisades Area
Mount Sill: Southwest Chutes Route

Mount Sill from the South

This photo was taken on route to Mount Gayley.
Photo by Alex Amies, August 13, 2005

Swiss Arete on Mount Sill

The Swiss Arete is one of the classic fifth class climbs in the Sierra Nevada.
Photo by Alex Amies, August 13, 2005

Palisade Crest and Scimitar Pass from the Soutn

Palisade Crest from Elinore Lake. Scimitar Pass to the north of Palisade Crest is climbed for the route to Southwest Chutes route on Mount Sill. The diagonal ramp is followed rather than climbing directly towards the lowest point on the crest.
Photo by Alex Amies, August 13, 2005

Looking up Scimitar Pass

Scimitar Pass is reached via Elinore Lake. It is a class 2 talus ramp that angles up above the low point of the crest just to the south.
Photo by Alex Amies, August 27, 2006

On Scimitar Pass

Looking at Sill and Polemonium from Scimitar Pass. Left to right: Ted Tassop, Brian Roche, and Eric Lesser.
Photo by Alex Amies, August 27, 2006

On the Summit of Mount Sill

Left to right: Ted Tassop, Brian Roche, Eric Lesser, Alex Amies, and Tom McDonnell.

Palisades Location Map

The Palisades are reached by turning east on Crocker Street on Highway 395 at Big Pine.

Trails in the Palisades Area

North Fork (blue solid) and South Fork (red solid) Big Pine Creek Trails. Cross country to Finger Lake and Elinore Lake is shown in dotted red. Trails start at Glacier Lodge (8,000 ft). The lodge is no longer there but the place is still known by that name.

Mount Sill: Southwest Chutes Route

The southwest chutes route is the easiest way to climb Mount Sill. It can be reached from either the South Fork Big Pine Creek Trail or the Bishop Pass Trail. From the South Fork trail leave the trail at Willow Lake (9,600 ft) and climb to Elinore Lake (11,000 ft) where you may camp. From There head south and then west to the ramp that ascends to the south of Scimitar Pass. An ice axe may be needed up this ramp depending on the conditions. Once over the pass traverse west of Jepson to the bowl between Sill and Polemonium. Ascend the talus slopes to the top, which are mainly class 2 with some areas of class 3. Total gain 8,330 ft with 16 miles return from the Glacier Lodge trailhead.