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12,905 ft · Sierra Nevada, California

Cirque Peak

Cirque Peak is a 12,905 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the West Slope via Cottonwood Pass: 14 mi, 3,160 ft of gain, Class 1.

Plan this climbView Sierra Peaks Section
Cirque Peak in the Sierra Nevada, California

Photo: Mitch Barrie, CC BY-SA 2.0

Cirque Peak at a glance

  • Elevation12,905 ft3,933 m
  • RouteWest Slope via Cottonwood PassClass 1
  • Distance14 mi3,160 ft gain
  • Time9 – 11 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia

Climbing the West Slope via Cottonwood Pass

From Lone Pine, follow Whitney Portal Road west and Horseshoe Meadow Road south to its end at the Cottonwood Pass trailhead. Hike the Cottonwood Pass Trail up switchbacks to the pass, turn north on the Pacific Crest Trail to Chicken Spring Lake, then leave the trail and walk Class 1 sand and broken rock up the west slope to the broad summit on the Sequoia National Park boundary. The upper slope is loose and tiring but not technical. A popular loop climbs New Army Pass instead and follows the crest. Start early, carry plenty of water, and turn back if thunderstorms build.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (35–55 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

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Loose rock
  • Dry conditions

Quests with Cirque Peak

Peaks near Cirque Peak

  1. Mount Langley

    Mount Langley

    14,032 ft · 3.2 mi away

  2. Mount Muir

    Mount Muir

    14,018 ft · 6.8 mi away

  3. Mount Whitney

    Mount Whitney

    14,505 ft · 7.7 mi away

  4. Mount Russell

    Mount Russell

    14,094 ft · 8.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Cirque Peak?

Cirque Peak is 12,905 feet (3,933 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.

How hard is it to hike Cirque Peak?

The West Slope via Cottonwood Pass is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 14 miles with 3,160 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Cirque Peak?

Most people take 9 – 11 hours round trip on the West Slope via Cottonwood Pass, covering 14 miles with 3,160 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Cirque Peak?

The West Slope via Cottonwood Pass needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 14 miles with 3,160 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Will you get altitude sickness on Cirque Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Cirque Peak reaches 12,905 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

What time should you start hiking Cirque Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 9 – 11 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Cirque Peak?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Cirque Peak 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

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