Known as the "Ultra 57", this is perhaps the most iconic of all prominence-based peak challenges in the US. Includes all "ultra" peaks with prominence of at least 5,000 ft / 1,500 m in the lower 48 US states. These peaks read like a "greatest hits" for US mountains and offer an incredible gamut of adventures.
Highest peak
Mount Whitney
14,505 ft / 4,421 m
Most prominent peak
Mount Rainier
13,246 ft / 4,037 m prom
Most summited peak
Mount Washington
1,118 summits
Most difficult peak
Mount Whitney
Class 1
Difficulty breakdown
Class 1/2 16 peaks
Class 3/4 4 peaks
Class 5+ 1 peak
Highlights
- All except 2 of the 57 Ultras lie in the Western US in 11 states. The east is represented by Appalachian peaks Mt Washington in New Hampshire and Mt Mitchell in North Carolina.
- Includes only 7 peaks higher than 14,000 ft, the magic elevation threshold in the western US. Only 3 of Colorado's 55 14ers qualify as Ultras.
- Ultras by state: 9 - California • 8 - Nevada • 7 - Washington, Utah • 5 - Arizona • 4 Montana, Oregon • 3 - Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming • 1 - North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico
- Mt St Helens in Washington was the 58th Ultra before its 1980 eruption blew 1,312 vertical feet off the top.
Latest summits
"Sometimes when you start a climb at 3am, breaking the trail through 6-8” of new snow is too much. Should have waited two hours and followed the ants up the hill that used my boot track. Stopped at Devils Kitchen since the upper mountain was still in early season conditions and not inviting. Try again next month. " — oregon-mt-goat • Feb 10, 2024
"February 3, 2024. Turned back at the 6 foot ice step in left PG. James cleared the step out and tried to climb it, but could not get a firm hold with his right tool to pull up safely. We thought about trying the right gate or doing Old Chute instead, but down climbing was very taxing. Excellent skiing conditions above Palmer. My first time skiing down from Devils Kitchen. With James. " — runningvegan • Feb 3, 2024
"It was a challenge as by late morning it was snowing rather heavily with winds of 50+ MPH, and 70+ at the summit. The weather conditions made for a true adventure. The new snow and drifts made route finding pretty difficult. Above the treeline, there are white wooden poles along the trail, which are helpful, but they are usually spaced too far apart. With the snowfall, I would HIGHLY recommend crampons. I had mini-spikes which worked well on the compacted snow in the early morning, but were virtually useless when several inches of new snow fell. Further, my hard shell rain jacket (Columbia) and pants were true lifesavers. They worked spectacularly to keep me dry and block the wind." — MichaelV • Dec 22, 2023
"Another unplanned ascent of San Jacinto. We went up the Marion Mountain Trail to Deer Springs, and to the summit. There was about 3-4 inches of snow the whole way. My first time on The Marion Mountain Trail, and while shorter, it was steeper. And of course it seemed steeper on the way down in the dark. A great day!" — Mojavewanderer • Dec 2, 2023
"Spent most of the morning trying to find a pancake place in Pigeon Forge that didn’t have a half hour wait (daddy promises were made and I had to pay up). Then took the Blue Ridge Parkway out for a long haul to the highest mountain east of the Mississippi.
Mount Mitchell was the highest mountain of the United States until 1845 when Texas joined the Union and Guadalupe Peak became the highest mountain of the USA.
We cheated and drove to the top, then walked the 300 yards to the observation tower." — wiweasel • Nov 25, 2023