Land Acknowledgment: Payahuunadu has been, and continues to be, the homeland of the Paiute (Nuumu), Shoshone (Newe), and Timbisha peoples. This land acknowledgment honors the original inhabitants of this region and the tribes who remain here today.
Did you know Inyo County is home to 12 of the 13 highest peaks in the lower 48 States? Yup. If you’ve ever dreamed of climbing peaks—or just want to take some epic photos from the Owens Valley floor—we have enough granite for everyone to enjoy at their own pace.
1. Mount Whitney (14,505’)
- Town: Lone Pine
- Trailhead: Whitney Portal
- Mileage: 12-22 miles round trip
- Grade: Class 1+
- Gain: ~6,100 feet
- Permit: Yes, required for both day and overnight use during quota season
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest / Sequoia National Park
Trail Summary: The classic Mt. Whitney Trail switchbacks its way through granite basins and alpine lakes to the highest point in the Lower 48. The more direct Mountaineer’s Route climbs the north-facing chute from Iceberg Lake, with scrambling required.
First Colonial Summit: 1873 by Charles Begole, A.H. Johnson, and John Lucas
Geology: Formed from Mesozoic granite of the Sierra Nevada Batholith, the east face is dramatically sculpted by glacial action and fault uplift.
2. Mount Williamson (14,379’)
- Town: Independence
- Trailhead: Shepherd Pass
- Mileage: ~21 miles round trip
- Grade: Class 3+
- Gain: ~8,000 feet
- Permit: Yes, overnight permit required
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest
Trail Summary: A long, punishing approach via Shepherd Pass leads to the massive granite summit of Mount Williamson—California’s second-highest peak. The climb involves talus-hopping and class 3 scrambling from Williamson Bowl.
First Colonial Summit: 1884 by W.L. Hunter and C. Mulholland
Geology: Part of the Sierra Nevada Batholith, with a wide summit massif shaped by glacial erosion and ancient tectonic uplift.
3. White Mountain Peak (14,252’)
- Town: Big Pine
- Trailhead: Barcroft Gate (White Mountain)
- Mileage: 14 miles round trip
- Grade: Class 1
- Gain: ~2,600 feet
- Permit: None required for day hikes
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest, White Mountain Research Center
Trail Summary: This is the easiest 14er to summit—but don’t let that fool you. White Mountain Peak is remote and over 12,000’ at the trailhead. The jeep road ascends gradually through the moonscape-like high desert.
First Colonial Summit: 1870s (exact date and party unknown; used historically by Indigenous peoples)
Geology: A stark contrast to the Sierra—composed of ancient volcanic and sedimentary rock, part of the Great Basin Range, not the Sierra Nevada.
4. North Palisade (14,248’)
- Town: Big Pine
- Trailhead: Glacier Lodge or South Lake (via Bishop Pass or Sam Mack Meadow)
- Mileage: ~16–18 miles round trip depending on route
- Grade: Class 3-4 +
- Gain: ~6,000 feet
- Permit: Yes, overnight permit required
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest
Trail Summary: North Pal is the most technical 14er in the Sierra.
First Colonial Summit: 1903 by James S. Hutchinson, Joseph LeConte, and James K. Moffitt
Geology: Deep granite ridges with classic alpine features, including permanent snowfields, carved from the Palisade Glacier—the largest in the Sierra.
5. Mount Sill (14,159’)
- Town: Big Pine
- Trailhead: Glacier Lodge or South Lake
- Mileage: ~16–18 miles round trip
- Grade: Class 3+
- Gain: ~6,000 feet
- Permit: Yes, overnight permit required
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest
Trail Summary: Often approached via the Palisade Glacier, Mount Sill offers a striking summit with one of the best panoramic views in the Sierra. The North Couloir is a classic snow climb; the Southwest Ridge is a moderate rock scramble.
First Colonial Summit: 1903 by James S. Hutchinson, Joseph LeConte, and James K. Moffitt
Geology: Composed of rugged granite, Sill anchors the Palisades with sheer walls and glacier-chiseled ridgelines.
6. Mount Russell (14,094’)
- Town: Lone Pine
- Trailhead: Whitney Portal
- Mileage: ~18 miles round trip via North Fork of Lone Pine Creek
- Grade: Class 3+
- Gain: ~6,000 feet
- Permit: Yes, overnight permit required (same trailhead as Whitney)
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest
Trail Summary: Accessible via the North Fork approach, Mount Russell’s airy East Ridge is not for the faint of heart—narrow, exposed, and breathtaking in every sense. Best for experienced scramblers with a head for heights.
First Colonial Summit: 1926 by Norman Clyde
Geology: Granite ridges formed by intrusive igneous rock uplifted alongside the Sierra Crest; dramatic exposure and narrow arêtes define its aesthetic.
7. Split Mountain (14,064’)
- Town: Big Pine
- Trailhead: Red Lake Trail
- Mileage: ~14 miles round trip
- Grade: Class 2+
- Gain: ~6,500 feet
- Permit: Yes, overnight permit required
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest
Trail Summary: A true slog with a big reward. The approach to Red Lake is steep and loose, but from there, climbers ascend talus and slabs to the broad summit of one of the more accessible 14ers.
First Colonial Summit: 1887 by Frank Saulque
Geology: Granite batholith formation with evidence of ancient glacial carving; the peak is “split” by a deep cleft that defines its twin summits.
8. Mount Langley (14,032’)
- Town: Lone Pine
- Trailhead: Horseshoe Meadow (Cottonwood Lakes)
- Mileage: ~20 miles round trip via New Army Pass
- Grade: Class 1
- Gain: ~4,000 feet
- Permit: Yes, overnight permit required
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest
Trail Summary: Langley is the most beginner-friendly 14er in the Sierra—well-marked trails, moderate grades, and epic views of the southern Sierra. Great for hikers making their first big summit.
First Colonial Summit: 1871 by Clarence King and Paul Pinson
Geology: A granitic dome with extensive glacial polish and uplift, part of the southernmost 14er cluster in the Sierra.
9. Mount Tyndall (14,025’)
- Town: Independence
- Trailhead: Shepherd Pass
- Mileage: ~20 miles round trip
- Grade: Class 2+
- Gain: ~6,000–7,000 feet
- Permit: Yes, overnight permit required
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest
Trail Summary: Tyndall is often paired with Williamson, but it’s a worthy peak in its own right. The North Rib route is a scenic and direct scramble with sweeping views of the Kern Trench.
First Colonial Summit: 1864 by Clarence King and Richard Cotter
Geology: Towering granodiorite spires shaped by alpine glaciation, just west of the Sierra Crest in the Great Western Divide.
10. Mount Muir (14,018’)
- Town: Bishop
- Trailhead: Whitney Portal
- Mileage: ~21 miles round trip
- Grade: Class 2+
- Gain: ~6,000+ feet
- Permit: Yes, day or overnight permit required
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest, Sequoia National Park
Trail Summary: Just off the Mt. Whitney Trail, Mount Muir is often bagged as a side mission. A short, steep scramble leads to a tiny, exposed summit block with huge views.
First Colonial Summit: 1919 by LeRoy Jeffers
Geology: Composed of granitic rock from the Sierra Nevada Batholith, showcasing classic glacial carving and fault block uplift.
11. Middle Palisade (14,018’)
- Town: Big Pine
- Trailhead: Big Pine Creek South Fork
- Mileage: ~14 miles round trip
- Grade: Class 3+
- Gain: ~6,600 feet
- Permit: Yes, overnight permit required
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest
Trail Summary: From Finger Lake, climbers follow slabs and chutes toward the summit block. The final scramble involves route-finding up the southeast face. Ice axe and crampons may be needed early season.
First Colonial Summit: 1921 by Francis Farquhar and Ansel Hall
Geology: Granitic towers rising from glacial valleys, cut by the Palisade Glacier and marked by polished slabs and prominent ribs.
12. Thunderbolt Peak (14,003’)
- Town: Bishop
- Trailhead: South Lake (via Bishop Pass and Palisade Basin)
- Mileage: ~15–18 miles round trip
- Grade: Class 4+
- Gain: ~5,500–6,000 feet
- Permit: Yes, overnight permit required
- Land Manager: Inyo National Forest
Trail Summary: Known for its exposed summit block (a 5.9-rated boulder problem), Thunderbolt is a serious alpine objective with steep snowfields and rugged ridgelines.
First Colonial Summit: 1931 by Jules Eichorn, Glen Dawson, Norman Clyde (during a lightning storm)
Geology: Spiky granite spires along the Palisade Crest, carved by multiple ice ages and continuous tectonic uplift.
Know your Limits
These hikes are no joke. Many of Inyo County’s 14ers involve thousands of feet of elevation gain, loose rock, route-finding, and alpine conditions where mistakes have consequences. These aren’t casual strolls—they’re serious mountain missions that demand planning, preparation, and experience.
If you’re just getting into mountaineering, don’t wing it. Start small, build your skills, and respect the altitude. We’ve got you covered with helpful resources:
👉 Meet the Sierra Eastern Mountain Guides
AWE Disclaimer: Recreation activities may involve inherent risks, including but not limited to changing weather conditions, challenging terrain, wildlife encounters, and other unforeseen hazards. Visitors should check with local land management agencies or authorities for up-to-date information on trail conditions, access, permits, and regulations before planning their trip. Always prioritize safety by being prepared, carrying adequate supplies, and following Leave No Trace principles to protect the environment. Respect local rules, private property, and other visitors. This post is for informational purposes only, and participation in any activity is at your own risk.
