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13,180 ft · Sierra Nevada, California

Mount Young

Mount Young is a 13,180 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the South Slope via Mount Whitney Trail and John Muir Trail: 21 mi, 8,375 ft of gain, Class 1.

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Mount Young in the Sierra Nevada, California

Photo: Mitch Barrie, CC BY-SA 2.0

Mount Young at a glance

  • Elevation13,180 ft4,017 m
  • RouteSouth Slope via Mount Whitney Trail and John Muir TrailClass 1
  • Distance21 mi8,375 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, drive Whitney Portal Road 13 miles west to the Whitney Portal trailhead. Hike the Mount Whitney Trail over Trail Crest, then drop west on the John Muir Trail toward Guitar Lake. Leave the trail where the low cliffs end and walk the gentle south slope (Class 1) onto the broad plateau shared with Mount Hale, then follow the east ridge to the top. Most parties camp near Guitar Lake and add Hale, under a mile away. Recrossing Trail Crest on the way out is the hard part. A Mt. Whitney Zone permit is required even for day hikes; apply in the February lottery and pack out 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 Young

Peaks near Mount Young

  1. Mount Whitney

    Mount Whitney

    14,505 ft · 2.0 mi away

  2. Mount Russell

    Mount Russell

    14,094 ft · 2.1 mi away

  3. Mount Muir

    Mount Muir

    14,018 ft · 2.3 mi away

  4. Mount Tyndall

    Mount Tyndall

    14,019 ft · 5.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Young?

Mount Young is 13,180 feet (4,017 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.

How hard is it to hike Mount Young?

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 8,375 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Mount Young?

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 Young?

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 8,375 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 Young?

Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Young reaches 13,180 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 Young?

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 Young with Yak

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