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11,006 ft · Sierra Nevada, California

Mount Harrington

Mount Harrington is an 11,006 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the North Ridge: 24 mi, 7,960 ft of gain, Class 3.

Mount Harrington in the Sierra Nevada, California

Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0

Mount Harrington at a glance

  • Elevation11,006 ft3,354 m
  • RouteNorth RidgeClass 3
  • Distance24 mi7,960 ft gain
  • Time2 – 3 daysVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia

Climbing the North Ridge

Take Highway 180 from Fresno through Grant Grove to the Lewis Creek trailhead near Cedar Grove. Climb the hot Lewis Creek Trail through the 2024 Happy Fire burn to Frypan Meadow, then continue toward Grizzly Lakes. Gain the Monarch Divide north of the peak on friction slabs, then climb the North Ridge, a short, exposed Class 3 fin to a tiny summit. Creeks run high early in the season, and bears are active, so store food well. A Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness permit is required for overnight trips; reserve on Recreation.gov.

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
  • Helmet

What to watch for

  • Steep exposure
  • Stream crossing
  • Dry conditions
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Mount Harrington

Peaks near Mount Harrington

  1. North Palisade

    North Palisade

    14,248 ft · 19.7 mi away

  2. Split Mountain

    Split Mountain

    14,064 ft · 20.1 mi away

  3. Middle Palisade

    Middle Palisade

    14,012 ft · 20.1 mi away

  4. Mount Sill

    Mount Sill

    14,159 ft · 20.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Harrington?

Mount Harrington is 11,006 feet (3,354 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.

How hard is it to climb Mount Harrington?

The North Ridge is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 24 miles with 7,960 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Mount Harrington?

Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the North Ridge, with at least one night on the mountain.

Is Mount Harrington dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious and tricky route-finding. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.

Do you need a helmet for Mount Harrington?

It is a good idea. The scrambling has rock overhead on the North Ridge, so a helmet is on the gear list.

When is the best time to climb Mount Harrington?

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

Climb Mount Harrington 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