Would be interested in hearing views on good spring hiking options in the Eastern Sierra where crampons are not required. The ideal would be something in the 15-25 mile range, in the southern part of the range, topping out in the 10-12k area without difficult trailhead access.

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

About the only peaks which come to mind in the Southern Sierra with that kind of elevation would be out of the Cottonwood Meadows trailhead. However, the road is partially washed out. Inyo County is working on it, but haven't seen any progress reports in awhile.

Spring hikes will still involve some snow travel, and climbing might require ice-axe and crampons. Looking out my library window this morning, here in Bishop, I see a lot more snow than any time previously in my 40 years living here; it's beautiful. After mid July you will have a better chance of snow-free travel.

A good, non-technical climb (Class 2), with easy trail access is Mt. Agassiz, near Bishop pass; altitude 13,893. Follow a shallow chute from Bishop pass, which when snow-free is on stable rock. This route can be done from the South Lake trailhead in one long day, or from numerous nice campsites along the trail to the pass. This South Fork of Bishop Creek trail is my favorite day hike.

The Palisade Glacier area, near Big Pine, is another popular mountaineering location, but with most routes requiring technical skills.

There are a lot of class 2 climbs in the Eastern Sierra. Look them up on Summitpost or Secor's book. For recent, first-hand information, a good source is the staff at Eastside Sports on Main Street in Bishop.

Thanks for the responses - any thoughts on Olancha Peak from Sage Flat Road?

Olancha is a great spring hike. It was snow free early May two years ago. On IG @robfu went up recently and there was still snow. I'm planning on going up in a few weeks.

Long and dry. Excellent summit vistas though. Well worth the trip.

Do you have any good info on the hike? Did some research and wasn't clear to me that there is a well defined official trail.

In one sense there is no official "Olancha Peak Trail," like there is for Mt. Whitney. You take the trail up Olancha Pass, join the PCT northward, and then head off trail to Olancha's fine summit.

The approach isn't idiot-proof, but the way is still very clear. The trail bifurcates going up to Olancha Pass: two trails are available, the regular trail and the so-named "Cow Driveway." The driveway is a steep sandy cattle path though it is shorter. Once at Olancha pass you will take a northerly fork to gain the PCT. From the PCT you strike off to scramble up Olancha's prominent summit.

http://www.sierradescents.com/hiking/olancha-peak/2013/sage-flat.html