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- Cardinal Mountain
13,402 ft · Sierra Nevada, California
Cardinal Mountain
Cardinal Mountain is a 13,402 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the South Chute from Taboose Pass: 19 mi, 8,020 ft of gain, Class 2.
Photo: Eggbones, CC BY-SA 4.0
Cardinal Mountain at a glance
- Elevation13,402 ft4,084 m
- RouteSouth Chute from Taboose PassClass 2
- Distance19 mi8,020 ft gain
- Time2 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia
Climbing the South Chute from Taboose Pass
From US 395 about 12 miles south of Big Pine, turn west on Aberdeen Station Road and drive the rough Taboose Creek Road about 6 miles to the Taboose Pass trailhead. The trail gains a huge amount of height through open desert canyon with little shade and one tricky creek crossing. From Taboose Pass, climb the Class 2 chute on the south side of the peak, which is full of loose rock, or take the firmer County Line ridge northwest of the pass. Start before dawn to beat the heat. An Inyo National Forest wilderness permit is required overnight. The 2026 Rock Fire closed this trailhead, so check Inyo National Forest alerts first.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (55–75 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- Dry conditions
- Stream crossing
- Loose rock
- High altitude
Quests with Cardinal Mountain
Sierra Peaks SectionPeaks near Cardinal Mountain
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Cardinal Mountain?
Cardinal Mountain is 13,402 feet (4,084 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.
How hard is it to hike Cardinal Mountain?
The South Chute from Taboose Pass is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 19 miles with 8,020 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Cardinal Mountain?
Most climbers plan 2 days for the South Chute from Taboose Pass, with at least one night on the mountain.
Can a beginner hike Cardinal Mountain?
The South Chute from Taboose Pass needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard trip: 19 miles with 8,020 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Cardinal Mountain?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Cardinal Mountain reaches 13,402 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.
When is the best time to hike Cardinal Mountain?
The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Cardinal Mountain with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list