James S. Hutchinson

Who was James S. Hutchinson?

James Sather Hutchinson was a lawyer in San Francisco, California, a mountaineer and an environmentalist. He was most noted for being an explorer of the Sierra Nevada.

Born in San Francisco, Hutchinson attended the University of California, Berkeley and then transferred to Harvard University where he received an A.B. degree in 1897. He attended the Hastings College of Law and received his LL.B. in 1899.

Along with Joseph N. LeConte and Duncan McDuffie, he pioneered a high mountain route in 1908 from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon, roughly along the route of the modern John Muir Trail. In 28 days, they completed a trip of 228 miles through the high mountains, including several previously unexplored sections. In 1920, he led an expedition from the Giant Forest to the Roaring River country, including the first trip over Colby Pass.

His first ascents included Mount Sill and North Palisade in 1903, Mount Humphreys in 1904, Mount Mills and Mount Abbot in 1908 and Black Kaweah in 1920.