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12,948 ft · Sierra Nevada, California

Lone Pine Peak

Lone Pine Peak is a 12,948 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the Northwest Slope from Grass Lake: 9 mi, 5,085 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Lone Pine Peak in the Sierra Nevada, California

Lone Pine Peak at a glance

  • Elevation12,948 ft3,946 m
  • RouteNorthwest Slope from Grass LakeClass 2
  • Distance9 mi5,085 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia

Climbing the Northwest Slope from Grass Lake

From Lone Pine, drive Whitney Portal Road to the Meysan Lake pullout above Whitney Portal Campground. Walk through the campground and cabin roads to the Meysan Lakes Trail and climb about four miles of switchbacks to the fork for Grass Lake. Skirt the lake on its west shore, then climb the wide northwest chute (Class 2), staying near the rock bands on its left edge to avoid the worst scree. On the summit plateau, stay low on the shoulder to bypass false summits and walk northeast to the top. Several nearby chutes end in cliffs, so note your descent line. Start early to avoid afternoon storms.

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

  • Loose rock
  • Route-finding difficulty
  • Storms
  • High altitude

Quests with Lone Pine Peak

Peaks near Lone Pine Peak

  1. Mount Langley

    Mount Langley

    14,032 ft · 2.8 mi away

  2. Mount Muir

    Mount Muir

    14,018 ft · 3.6 mi away

  3. Mount Whitney

    Mount Whitney

    14,505 ft · 3.9 mi away

  4. Mount Russell

    Mount Russell

    14,094 ft · 4.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Lone Pine Peak?

Lone Pine Peak is 12,948 feet (3,946 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.

How hard is it to hike Lone Pine Peak?

The Northwest Slope from Grass Lake is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 5,085 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Lone Pine Peak?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Northwest Slope from Grass Lake, covering 9 miles with 5,085 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Lone Pine Peak?

The Northwest Slope from Grass Lake needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 5,085 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 Lone Pine Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Lone Pine Peak reaches 12,948 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 Lone Pine Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon.

When is the best time to hike Lone Pine 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 Lone Pine 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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