Mt Willey Routes

[Kurchian]

I would appreciate comments about the difference between two approaches to Mt. Willey - the Kedron Flume Trail and Ethan Pond Trail.

I know that both trails bring you to the ladders on the Willey Range Trail. the trail descriptions are rather similar but I would appreciate comments about the relative difficulty of the two trails.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

I would appreciate comments about the difference between two approaches to Mt. Willey - the Kedron Flume Trail and Ethan Pond Trail.

I know that both trails bring you to the ladders on the Willey Range Trail. the trail descriptions are rather similar but I would appreciate comments about the relative difficulty of the two trails.

Kedron Flume Trail is shorter and steeper, and commonly slippery. Easiest route to Willey is via Mount Field from the Highland Center, IMHO.

 

[DougPaul]

If you go via Mt Field, don't miss Mt Avalon on the way up or down. Fantastic views.

Doug

 

[SteveHiker]

Kedron Flume is probably a little steeper, but not really that much harder, I don't think. I like it better because of the Flume itself. The really steep stuff is past the junction, so it doesn't matter which trail you take. The ladders are cool, too, it's like climbing into the Ewok village.

Just watch out for the summit caretaker. He takes donations.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Just watch out for the summit caretaker. He takes donations.

LOL! There was also this summit steward up there a few years ago! Note a person's rear end less than a foot away!

 

[jmegillon149]

Kedron Flume Trail is shorter and steeper, and commonly slippery. Easiest route to Willey is via Mount Field from the Highland Center, IMHO.

despite the steepness, Kedron is so short (distance wise) its hard to think of it as more difficult than any other route. I do recommend doing a traverse and hitting Tom, Field and Avalon.

 

[RoySwkr]

Kedron Flume Trail is shorter and steeper, and commonly slippery. Easiest route to Willey is via Mount Field from the Highland Center, IMHO.

I think the WMG exaggerates the difficulty of KF

I would use KF from that end because I consider it less prone to car vandalism, but DrD is correct that either is probably tougher than Avalon Tr

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Hey, I am just looking at the contour lines, but of course, contour lines are also known to exaggerate.

 

[Raymond]

You can also approach Willey from the Crawford train station, hitting Avalon and Field on the way and Tom on your return. It’s only about ten miles round trip.

Or Tom and Field first, then Avalon, of course.