Guided Trips to the Sierra Nevada & Worldwide!


California's Fourteen Thousand Foot Peaks

Here at Sierra Mountain Guides we offer you the challenge of joining the rare club of people who have climbed all of California's Fourteen Thousand foot peaks.  Reaching the summit of all 15 peaks will take you to places you have only dreamed of.  Let us help you climb or ski your way to California's highest places.

Langley's Summit

Mount Langley 14,027 feet

As the Southern most Fouteener Mt. Langley forms the gateway to the California Giants.  It's South face towers over you as you approach it from horseshoe canyon.  This is a great peak to cut your teeth on as you begin your adventure to gain the highest points in California.

Summit Mt. Muir

Mount Muir 14,015 feet
Lying in the shadow of Mt. Whitney is Mt. Muir.  It would be easy to miss this barley 14,000 foot peak as it sits at the head of the ridge that leads to the summit of Mt. Whitney. Don't let this bump on the map fool you, there are great routes with no crowds that lead to its high summit.

Whitney's Grand East Face

Mount Whitney 14,497 feet

Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48, and one of the most sought after. Almost named “Fisherman’s Peak” Mt. Whitney was first climbed in 1873 by the “fishermen”; John Lucas, Charles Begole and Albert H. Johnson. The local Paiute Indians, named Mt. Whitney Too-man-go-yah- (the very old man) and as legend has it a Great Spirit lives inside the mountain and watches over the people from his high perch.

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Mt. Russell's Amazing SE Face

Mount Russell 14,086 feet

Steep on all sides, Mt. Russell offers several excellent routes to her airy and exposed summit platform. The "easy" route up Mt. Russell offers plenty of climbing and exposure as you work your way up to the summit.  There are also many ultra classic rock climbs on Russell's Southeast face.

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ridge climbing near the summit

Mount Williamson  14,246 feet

Mt. Williamson and Mt. Tyndall are two of the more remote 14,000 foot peaks in the High Sierra. Due to the fact that both mountains are in the Bighorn Sheep Zoological Preserve they are only open to climbing from December 15th to July 15th. Mt. Williamson's North Face is a true Nor wand with long ridges and spires with endless route options.

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Tyndall's East Face

Mount Tyndall 14,015 feet

Mt. Williamson and Mt. Tyndall are two of the more remote 14,000 foot peaks in the High Sierra. Due to the fact that both mountains are in the Bighorn Sheep Zoological Preserve they are only open to climbing from December 15th to July 15th. Since they share the same approach from the East via the Shepherd's Pass trail, we highly recommend climbing both peaks on the same trip.

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Splits colorful East Face

Split Mountain 14,058 feet

Split Mountain is well named as its east couloir splits the mountain into two summits. With 2000 foot Aretes on it's east face Split offers some long rock climbs in addition to some great mountaineering.  With and adventurous approach Split is one of the more unique fourteeners.

 

Alpineglow on Middle Palisade

Middle Palisade Peak 14,040 feet

Middle Palisade may very well be the finest alpine climb of its grade in the High Sierra. Situated at the head of the South fork of Big Pine Creek, it is one of the crowning 14'ers of the range. This is an excellent climb in a very scenic and un crowded part of the Sierra.

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Mt. Sill above the Palisade Glacier

Mount Sill 14,162 feet

Mt. Sill was named after Edward Rowland Sill, a poet and teacher in the Bay Area, by famed Sierra mountaineer Joseph LeConte. Long before that, the native Paiute identified the peak as a special one on the Big Pine skyline calling it, Nee-ma-mee-shee, the "Guardian of the Valley."

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Polemonium with the U-notch

Polemonium Peak 14,200 feet

Sandwiched between Mt. Sill and North Palisade peak it can be difficult to pick out Polemoniums summit.  Once you are there it's not hard to see why this highpoint is included among the fourteeners.  With amazing views of the Palisade Glacier and the surrounding peaks the summit of Polemonium Peak will leave you breathless.

North Palisade

North Palisade Peak 14,242 feet

Though it is not the highest peak in the range, North Palisade may well be the symbolic apex of High Sierra mountaineering. There are no walk up's to the summit of North Palisade.  It's summit is guarded on all sides by steep cliffs or ice gullies. Once you have reached the summit of North Palisade you'll be ready to tackle any of the fourteeners.

 

Milk Bottle

Starlight Peak14,200 feet

Starlight Peak boasts one of the most amazing summits anywhere.  If you can catch Starlight on a calm day you can soar like and eagle over the Owens Valley as you stand on top of the Milk Bottle.

Thunderbolt's sharktooth ridge

Thunderbolt Peak 14,003 feet

As the Northernmost fourteener in the Palisade chain Thunderbolt boasts the most challenging summit. With mid 5th class moves being the easiest way to reach the summit this is a true gem. 

Summit of White Mountain photo:John Bank

White Mountain Peak 14,246 feet

Standing as the highest point in the White mountain range this peak is dramatically different from its Sierra brothers and sisters.  Much more of a dessert peak the easiest way to the summit is by way of walking up a dirt road.  We offer a more interesting adventure of skiing to the summit in winter.

near the summit

Mount Shasta 14,162 feet

The volcanic sentinel of Northern California.  As you drive up 93 or interstate 5 you can't help but be in awe of this amazing fourteener.  Shasta is one of the only places in the world where the glaciers are still growing!