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13,489 ft · Sierra Nevada, California

Mount Hale

Mount Hale is a 13,489 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the South Slope via Mount Whitney Trail and John Muir Trail: 21 mi, 8,695 ft of gain, Class 1.

Plan this climbView Sierra Peaks Section
Mount Hale in the Sierra Nevada, California

Photo: Jonathan Fox, CC BY-SA 2.0

Mount Hale at a glance

  • Elevation13,489 ft4,111 m
  • RouteSouth Slope via Mount Whitney Trail and John Muir TrailClass 1
  • Distance21 mi8,695 ft gain
  • Time2 – 3 daysVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia

Climbing the South Slope via Mount Whitney Trail and John Muir Trail

From Lone Pine, take Whitney Portal Road 13 miles to the Whitney Portal trailhead. Follow the Mount Whitney Trail to Trail Crest and descend the John Muir Trail west toward Guitar Lake. Before the lake, climb sand and talus north onto the plateau between Hale and Young, then walk the southwest slope to the summit (Class 1). The east slope from Arctic Lake is a Class 2 alternative. Young is a short talus traverse west. Plan a night at Guitar Lake. A Mt. Whitney Zone permit is required for day or overnight trips; enter the February lottery and pack out human waste.

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

  • High altitude
  • Altitude sickness
  • Storms
  • Loose rock

Quests with Mount Hale

Peaks near Mount Hale

  1. Mount Russell

    Mount Russell

    14,094 ft · 1.3 mi away

  2. Mount Whitney

    Mount Whitney

    14,505 ft · 1.4 mi away

  3. Mount Muir

    Mount Muir

    14,018 ft · 2.1 mi away

  4. Mount Williamson

    Mount Williamson

    14,379 ft · 4.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Hale?

Mount Hale is 13,489 feet (4,111 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.

How hard is it to hike Mount Hale?

The South Slope via Mount Whitney Trail and John Muir Trail is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 21 miles with 8,695 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Mount Hale?

Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the South Slope via Mount Whitney Trail and John Muir Trail, with at least one night on the mountain.

Can a beginner hike Mount Hale?

The South Slope via Mount Whitney Trail and John Muir Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard trip: 21 miles with 8,695 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 Mount Hale?

Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Hale reaches 13,489 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 Mount Hale?

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 Mount Hale 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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