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- Finger Peak
12,400 ft · Sierra Nevada, California
Finger Peak
Finger Peak is a 12,400 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the Southeast Slopes via Blue Canyon: 56 mi, 9,285 ft of gain, Class 2.
Finger Peak at a glance
- Elevation12,400 ft3,779 m
- RouteSoutheast Slopes via Blue CanyonClass 2
- Distance56 mi9,285 ft gain
- Time4 – 5 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia
Climbing the Southeast Slopes via Blue Canyon
From Fresno, take Highway 168 to Shaver Lake, then Dinkey Creek and McKinley Grove Roads to Wishon Reservoir and the Crown Valley trailhead. Hike the Crown Valley Trail past Crown Valley to the old Blue Canyon trail, which is unmaintained and hard to follow through blowdown. Continue cross-country into the open upper basin of Blue Canyon and climb the sandy class 2 southeast slopes; the tiny summit block takes an easy scramble. Most parties pair it with Tunemah Peak on a trip of four days or more. A Sierra National Forest wilderness permit is required; reserve on Recreation.gov up to six months ahead.
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
- Remote location
- Route-finding difficulty
- Loose rock
- Spotty cell reception
Quests with Finger Peak
Sierra Peaks SectionPeaks near Finger Peak
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Finger Peak?
Finger Peak is 12,400 feet (3,779 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.
How hard is it to hike Finger Peak?
The Southeast Slopes via Blue Canyon is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 56 miles with 9,285 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Finger Peak?
Most climbers plan 4 – 5 days for the Southeast Slopes via Blue Canyon, with at least one night on the mountain.
Can a beginner hike Finger Peak?
The Southeast Slopes via Blue Canyon needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard trip: 56 miles with 9,285 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 Finger Peak?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Finger Peak reaches 12,400 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 Finger Peak?
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 Finger 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