Cotter and Clarence King made the first ascent of Mount Tyndall.

[1] The mountain is easily climbed from Gardiner Basin with a class 2-3 slope.

There are more difficult routes found on the north and east sides of Mount Cotter.

Mount Cotter can be reached from the west or east side of the Sierra Nevada.

Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays entering from either the east or west.