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
1,131 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
"Snow to 1/2 mile of TH but don’t try to go farther or you’ll be digging out your car like we did. Park within 1 mile of TH but not at the current end as there’s no room there. Great corn snow at noon in full sun with freezing level at 11k. The summit push isn’t frozen either. SW chutes are IN and the most amazing ski run in Washington at 5000’ of drop at 40 degrees.
" — castrode • May 31, 2024
"May 10, 2024. Finally getting over the Achilles tendon injury. Started at 5:15am, Palmer time 1:32. Summit time 4:03, second fastest summit time. Up and down 1 o’clock. Skied down from Devils Kitchen. With Ryan." — runningvegan • May 10, 2024
"Truth be told- I did not hit the high point of each peak(except San Jacintos peak). I was more focused on doubling up the gnarly ass Cactus to Clouds trail, a Cactus to Clouds to Cactus!
I’ll head back soon at a leisurely pace and hit each peaks highest point…. ….i hope it’s soon…." — Air-in • May 4, 2024
"Icy snow made the ascent more challenging than expected. On the way back, I witnessed the helicopter rescue of a skier caught in an avalanche above Helen Lake (not on the standard Avalanche Gulch route)." — Taras • May 3, 2024
"A Monroe, Washington, Jefferson hike for my Grid and calendar day. Hiked up Ammonoosuc Ravine Tr. From Gem Pond, I used my microspikes on the ascent. I ascended into a cloud and had no views on Monroe and on Washington. On the way over to Jefferson, the cloud cover was breaking up. I dropped my snowshoes just past Jewell Tr. On Jefferson, I had views, but Washington was still in the clouds. I headed back to Jewell Tr and down that, making good time coming down. I was beat after today's hike. Saw a short tailed weasel below the summit of Jeff!!!" — newenglandwarrior • May 3, 2024