California 14ers
California, United States
About this quest
Track California’s 12 ranked fourteeners, from Mount Whitney and the Palisades to White Mountain Peak and Mount Shasta. Build a summit log across the state’s highest mountain country.
Quick facts
- peaks
- 12located
- shape
- collection
- total distance
- not yet measured
- best season
- Summer, Fall
- days
- not yet measured
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Map and places
Choose a place. Visit in any order.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
The highest mountain in California and the contiguous United States. Choose your approach and permit before setting a summit date.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
A Sierra Nevada summit above the Owens Valley. Plan the approach and mountain route as an individual outing.
- PlaceWhite Mountains, California, United States
The White Mountains member of this collection, east of the Sierra Nevada. Its summit is a separate high-altitude objective.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
A Palisades climbing objective. Assess the specific route, exposure and conditions before attempting the summit.
- PlaceCascade Range, California, United States
The northern outlier of the collection. Check the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center for climbing conditions and current regulations.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
A summit in the Palisades group. This pin identifies the mountain, not a route through the surrounding terrain.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
A Sierra Nevada summit near Mount Whitney. Check the approach-specific permit requirements before planning a climb.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
A Sierra Nevada summit also known as South Palisade. Plan a specific approach rather than following a line between collection pins.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
A southern Sierra Nevada summit. Choose an approach suited to the conditions and your mountain experience.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
A Sierra Nevada summit near Mount Williamson. Nearby summits do not imply an easy or established connection.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
A Palisades summit and a separate mountain objective from North Palisade and Mount Sill.
- PlaceSierra Nevada, California, United States
A distinct summit near Mount Whitney. Passing below it on the Whitney approach does not complete an ascent of Mount Muir.
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Pins show individual places; there is no route between them. Select a pin to read its place in the itinerary.
Overview
Twelve summits, three mountain regions and a project to return to over several seasons. Most of the collection lies in the Sierra Nevada, with White Mountain Peak across the Owens Valley and Mount Shasta farther north in the Cascades. Each ascent is its own outing: choose a route, prepare for its terrain and conditions, then keep a dated record of the summit.
Why twelve peaks?
This collection follows the twelve ranked California fourteeners: summits above 14,000 feet with at least 300 feet of interpolated prominence. Complete all twelve distinct summits for 12/12 progress. The familiar fifteen-summit version adds Starlight Peak, Polemonium Peak and Thunderbolt Peak. Those three are outside this completion list; you can keep them as an additional personal project. Membership reference: https://www.summitpost.org/california-14ers/170899
Choose your first mountain
Start with an outing that matches your experience and current conditions. The Whitney Trail offers a hiking approach to Mount Whitney, but snow or ice changes the skills and equipment required. Other objectives in the collection involve exposed scrambling or technical climbing. A summit pin is a place reference, not a trailhead, recommended line or statement that a route is suitable today. Research the specific route before choosing a date. Whitney planning: https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/whitney.htm
Plan the permit and the approach
Whitney permit requirements depend on the approach and whether you are staying overnight. Check the current Whitney Zone and North Fork of Lone Pine Creek rules before booking travel: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/445860 For overnight travel in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, check the park’s wilderness permit requirements: https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/permits.htm Mount Shasta has its own wilderness permit and summit pass requirements. Read the current regulations and climbing conditions: https://www.shastaavalanche.org/node/3963 Summer and fall are broad planning seasons for much of the Sierra, not an opening guarantee. Snow, fire, weather, road conditions and closures can change access. Check the relevant land manager for your exact approach.
Keep your summit record
Log each summit when you have reached it, with the date and the route you used. There is no required order or single end-to-end distance for this collection. Mount Muir is a separate summit; a Whitney ascent does not automatically complete it. Use the map to explore the set and plan individual outings rather than treating the peaks as a connected walking route.
California 14ers: common questions
When is the best time to do California 14ers?
The best season for California 14ers is Summer, Fall.
How many checkpoints does California 14ers have?
California 14ers has 12 checkpoints to log on the way to finishing it.
Plan your journey.
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