The High Pointing challenge is a great one if you love to travel and hike. Checking these off of your list is not only a great accomplishment, but also a great way to see the country.
High Pointing is the word referring to climbing to the tallest peak in each of the 50 states. We have compiled a list of the ten tallest peaks from the list of 50 mountains in the U.S.A. This is NOT a list of the ten tallest peaks in North America. If you use Google for that list, you will notice that all ten of the tallest peaks in The United States are located in Alaska, California and Colorado… a geographically less interesting list.
10. Granite Peak, Montana
Elevation: 12,799 ft
Range: Greater Yellowstone Rockies
Climbing Granite Peak in Montana is a grueling 24-mile round trip journey. Although this mountain is only 12,799 feet tall, it is a challenging climb and is rumored to be one of the most difficult high point climbs. The trek takes you through Montana’s Big Sky Country, with views of snowfields, flower-filled meadows, clear alpine lakes, snow-capped peaks and incredible panoramas. You can get to Granite Peak from Huckleberry Valley or from Cooke City.
Weather on Granite Peak varies from snow in the winter to thunderstorms on summer afternoons.
9. Boundary Peak, Nevada
Elevation: 13,140 ft
Range: Great Basin Ranges
Boundary Peak is nestled in the White Mountains of Nevada. From the top, one can enjoy views of the desert and the Inyo and White Mountains. This mountain is also only half-a-mile from the border with California. Although it can be climbed from either the Nevada or California side, it is most popularly climbed from the Nevada side. Next to Boundary Peak in California is a peak that is 200 feet higher, called Montgomery Peak.
The best times to climb this mountain are between June and October, when there is no snow on the mountain. However, climbers report it can be a nice winter climb.
8. Wheeler Peak, New Mexico
Elevation: 13,161 ft
Range: Southern Rocky Mountains
The tallest peak in New Mexico is located northeast of Taos and south of the Red River. The majority of the trail is steep and challenging. The standard route to climb to Wheeler Peak is along the north ridge from the east. This trip is a 19.1 mile round trip usually taking 3 days. Two of the popular trailheads are called Bull-of-the Woods (considered the safest winter ascent route) and Williams Lake.
The best time to climb Wheeler Peak is from May to November. Winter storms can occur as late as May, but June is relatively dry. During July and August there are afternoon thunderstorms on a daily basis. September through November are dry months.
7. Kings Peak, Utah
Elevation: 13,528 ft
Range: Western Rocky Mountain
Kings Peak is the seventh tallest high point. The round trip climb is about 28.8 miles. It is usually climbed as a backpacking trip. There are three popular trails that lead to the summit:
Swift Creek Trail (easier)
Yellowstone Creek Trail (scenic)
Henry’s Fork (most popular)
Uinta River Trail (most difficult trail, 50 mile round trip, requires 2 – 4 days).
All of the trails require at least two to three days to complete.
If you are up for a challenge, this mountain is a part of the Kings-Emmons Ridge run. In this hike, you can climb seven peaks that are all over 13,000 feet in elevation. This trail starts on the Yellowstone/Swift Creek trail-head and makes a loop.
The best times to climb Kings Peak is June through September. Temperatures in the summer above 10,000 feet on Kings Peak are between 30 to 40 degrees at night and never above 80 degrees during the day. There are often summer afternoon thunderstorms.
6. Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Elevation: 13,796 ft
Range: Hawaii
A tall, snow-capped mountain in Hawaii? You got it!
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano. Much of Mauna Kea is actually below sea level. When measured from the ocean floor its height is 33,100 feet (10,100 m). The most popular trail to reach the summit is the Mauna Kea Trail, also known as the Humuula Trail. This trail is 6 miles each way and starts a few hundred feet north of the Visitor Center. The trip takes 8 to 10 hours roundtrip. It can be done in a day, however, it is recommended to stay a night at the summit. The summit of Mauna Kea is famed for its clear sky. There are thirteen observatories from different countries at the summit. Camping at the summit is highly recommended to experience the night sky that it has to offer.
From 10,000 to 11,000 feet, the trail is relatively steep. From 11,000 to 12,800 feet, the incline lessens. The rest of the climb up is steep. Mauna Kea has a varied topography, the altitude changes from lower to higher elevations frequently. Hikers must come prepared with gear to match the variation in weather! Given its elevation the climate is moderate. The average low for the year at the summit is 24.9 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high for the year is 50.9 degrees Fahrenheit. Hikers should still be prepared with all the equipment they would need for any other mountain of its size.
5. Gannett Peak, Wyoming
Elevation: 13,804 ft
Range: Greater Yellowstone Rockies
At 20-miles, the hike to the summit of Gannett Peak is the longest high-point climb. Gannett Peak is located amongst the Wind River Mountains in western Wyoming. It usually takes climbers 2 days to reach the Upper Titcomb Lake base camp at 12,800 feet. After reaching base camp, you must drop 11,500 feet onto a glacier and then climb 13,800 feet to reach the summit. Although Gannett Peak is only the 5th tallest high point, it is not the easiest hike. Hikers claim that Gannett Peak is one of the hardest state high point climbs. Gannett Peak also contains one of the largest glaciers in the continental United States (Gannett Glacier)—it’s no joke! Climbers are advised to have a variety of mountaineering skills before attempting this hike.
There are five popular routes: (1) Glacier Trail (50 miles roundtrip, 10,750 foot elevation gain), (2) Pole Creek Trail to Titcomb Basin (40 miles roundtrip, 9050 foot elevation gain), (3) Ink Wells Trail, (4) Tourist Creek Route, (5) Wells Creek Route. These hikes usually take 4 to 6 days round-trip.
The weather is harsh with winds as high as 110 mph. The best time to climb is between June and September. Peak season is during July and August. August climbing has the least snow. Some people opt to hike in July because snowpack can make a summit attempt less strenuous than travelling on ice and/or rock for long distances.
If you can hack it, there are wonderful views at the summit as Gannett Peak is the most isolated peak in Wyoming. For more information visit: http://www.visitpinedale.org/explore/mountain-ranges/wind-river-mountain-range
4. Mount Rainier, Washington
Elevation: 14,411 ft
Range: Cascade Range
Mount Ranier is an active volcano! It is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous USA and spawns six major rivers [http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm]. The lower slopes are full of ancient forests and as one climbs higher, wildflower meadows.
Reaching the summit requires a vertical elevation gain of more than 9,000 feet over a distance of eight or more miles. Climbers must be in good physical condition and well prepared. The National Park Service recommends attending mountaineering school, avalanche awareness training, rescue training and first aid training before climbing Mount Rainier. Leaders of groups should have mountaineering experience. There is also glacier travel required on this hike, so climbers have to be roped together at times to travel across glaciers and crevassed snowfields. Snow anchors are required by each climber for this.
The best time to climb is late-July through August, the driest and warmest time of the year. Snow remains at the 5,000 to 8,000 foot elevations well into mid-July. There are two “high camps,” called Camp Muir at 10,080 feet and Camp Schurman at 9,440 feet. There are a few different routes to reach the summit, all of which require between 2 – 4 days. The average temperatures range from lows of 21 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to highs of 64 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer at an elevation of 5,400 feet.
Although Mount Rainier is only the 17th tallest peak in the United States, this hike is not for the faint of heart. It is a challenging hike due to weather and conditions. If you have children or are shy of experience to summit Mount Rainier, there are over 260 miles of maintained trails around the mountain.
To climb Mount Rainier on a day hike, permits are not required. If one is camping overnight on their hike, a permit is required. For more information visit The National Park Service website at: http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm.
3. Mount Elbert, Colorado
Elevation: 14,433 ft (4,401 meters)
Range: Southern Rocky Mountain
Mount Elbert is the second tallest point in the continental United States and is the highest peak of the Rocky Mountains. Climbing the 14,433 feet summit requires a 4,700 foot elevation gain over a distance of four miles. Sounds like a steep hike! Around the elevation of 13,000 feet is when the trail gets steeper.
There are three ways to get to the top of Mount Elbert:
The North Main Elbert Trail — The standard route, 4.6 miles long, 4,600 feet gain.
The South Elbert Trail — This is the easier and longer route, 5.5 miles long, 4,600 feet gain.
The Black Cloud Trail — The most difficult trail, 5300 foot gain.
This mountain is reputed as a strenuous one to climb that requires physical fitness, but none of the conventional routes require specialist skills of mountaineering or technical rock climbing. As Mount Elbert is over 14,000 feet tall, it is reputed as a part of the “14ers”—mountains that are over 14,000 feet tall. This mountain is a good climb for a first time 14-er!
2. Mount Whitney, California
Elevation: 14,495 feet (4418 meters)
Range: Sierra Nevada
Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. Mount Whitney is located in the famed Sierra Nevada mountains, most famously explored by environmentalist, John Muir. Mt. Whitney can be most directly reached by a 10.7 mile (17.1 km) trail from Whitney Portal on the Mount Whitney trail. The elevation at the trailhead is 8360 feet (2550 meters).
Mount Whitney is not as formidable as some of the tallest peaks in the world to climb. Though this is a strenuous hike, it can be summated in one day. It usually takes 12 to 14 hours to summit Mount Whitney on the Mt. Whitney trail, so many people opt to hike this trail over the course of a few days, camping in between. Between July and early-September, the trails are free of snow, but the rest of the year winter mountaineering skills and equipment are necessary for safe travel.
A permit is required to climb Mount Whitney. Plan your trip in advance and have fun! See the following link for more information on getting a permit to Mount Whitney: http://www.recreation.gov/permits/Mt_Whitney/r/wildernessAreaDetails.do?page=details&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72201
1. Mount McKinley (Denali), Alaska
Elevation: 20,320 feet (6144 meters)
Range: Alaska Range
Mount McKinley, or Denali, is the famed tallest peak in all of North America. Mount McKinley is 2000 meters short of the famed tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. Although it is shorter than most of the Himalayan mountains, its northern latitude and lower barometric pressure make it feel 2,000 feet higher than its actual elevation. This mountain is also subject to extreme cold.
It takes about three weeks to make it to the summit and back of Denali, the majority of which is through harsh cold weather. Most hikers take a glacier flight, to start the hike at 7,200 feet where the first base camp is located. From there you must hike 19 miles to set up camp on a glacier at the base camp. From that point, there are camps located at 9,700 feet, 11,000 feet, 14,200 feet (Advanced Base Camp).
Weather is unpredictable on Denali. Winds as high as 100 mph have been recorded and temperatures have gotten down to -35 F; however, when the wind is calm and it is sunny, it can feel hot. To get through some of the hike, snow shoes and skiis are necessary.
Mount McKinley is one of the most dangerous climbs in the world. If you attempt to climb this mountain, make sure to do your research beforehand! You need to apply for a permit to climb Denali 60 days in advance.