California peaks

9,592 peaks

Highest peak

Mount Whitney

14,505 ft / 4,421 m

Most climbed peak

Mount Whitney

645 climbs

Most prominent peak

Mount Whitney

10,085 ft / 3,073 m prom

California climbs

38,070 climbs

First Ascent Awards

4588 of 9,592 peaks 47%

Top climbing months

July 10%

August 9%

June 9%

California mountains highlights

  • The Sierra Nevada is the most famous California mountain range, stretching over 400 miles from north to south. In it lies the highest mountain in the lower 48 US States, Mount Whitney at 14,505 ft / 4,421 m.
  • California contains many mountainous National Parks, the most well-known being Yosemite National Park. The other national parks include Pinnacles, Lassen Volcanic, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Redwood, Channel Islands, and Death Valley.
  • California boasts 12 peaks over 14,000 ft elevation, concentrated in the Eastern Sierras.
  • The massive Cascade volcano Mount Shasta 14,180 ft dominates the northern California landscape and can be seen from over 100 miles away.
"Parked at Lopez Canyon and crossed the road to start the hike. I heard some noise which I thought was construction on first impression, but quickly realized were gunshots from a nearby shooting range. That, combined with the lack of shade and overgrown final stretch of the trail, made this a hike I probably won't return to for a while. I did like how easy the trail was, and the views were very nice." — oskar156 • May 10, 2026
"From Rocky Peak Park I took the Rocky Peak Trail up to the west slope, then took the summit use trail to reach the top. The summit trail isn’t always obvious, but it got the job done. Good to be back again. Last time was 15 years ago." — MikeTeeples • May 9, 2026
"Still a good snow cover above 8500 feet depending on location and aspect. I figured Martis would be fairly snow free which it was. Only patches in shady areas both on the trail and on Martis road. Not a soul on my way in then just one young couple on my way out. Oddly I found a bear barrel sitting next to the trail, later a pair of sunglasses and a can bug spray in the trail. Bopped up to Picnic rock on my way out for one final view." — Nimblefoot • May 7, 2026
"Still a good snow cover above 8500 feet depending on location and aspect. I figured Martis would be fairly snow free which it was. Only patches in shady areas both on the trail and on Martis road. Not a soul on my way in then just one young couple on my way out. Oddly I found a bear barrel sitting next to the trail, later a pair of sunglasses and a can bug spray in the trail. Bopped up to Picnic rock on my way out for one final view." — Nimblefoot • May 7, 2026
"first exercise since crushing myself in the backcountry last week. unsurprisingly found i hadn’t recovered. after a few min of this brutal climb, a hidden cold revealed itself w annoying runny nose. ponti trail seems infinite even going down. " — scott • May 6, 2026

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