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12,326 ft · Sierra Nevada, California

Thor Peak

Thor Peak is a 12,326 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the South Slopes from Mirror Lake: 9 mi, 4,005 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Sierra Peaks Section
Thor Peak in the Sierra Nevada, California

Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0

Thor Peak at a glance

  • Elevation12,326 ft3,756 m
  • RouteSouth Slopes from Mirror LakeClass 2
  • Distance9 mi4,005 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia

Climbing the South Slopes from Mirror Lake

From Lone Pine, drive Whitney Portal Road to its end at Whitney Portal. Hike the Mount Whitney Trail to Mirror Lake, then leave the trail and climb the south slopes to a cliff band. A Class 2 weakness leads through it, though many parties miss it and scramble Class 3. Above, cross scree below a line of towers to a gap west of the summit and scramble the final blocks. Route-finding is the main challenge, so carry a track. A Mt. Whitney Zone permit is mandatory for day hikes past Lone Pine Lake, awarded by lottery each spring. Afternoon storms are common, so start early.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (30–40 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

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

Quests with Thor Peak

Peaks near Thor Peak

  1. Mount Whitney

    Mount Whitney

    14,505 ft · 1.5 mi away

  2. Mount Muir

    Mount Muir

    14,018 ft · 1.7 mi away

  3. Mount Russell

    Mount Russell

    14,094 ft · 1.7 mi away

  4. Mount Langley

    Mount Langley

    14,032 ft · 4.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Thor Peak?

Thor Peak is 12,326 feet (3,756 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.

How hard is it to hike Thor Peak?

The South Slopes from Mirror 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 4,005 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Thor Peak?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the South Slopes from Mirror Lake, covering 9 miles with 4,005 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Thor Peak?

The South Slopes from Mirror Lake needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 4,005 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 Thor Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Thor Peak reaches 12,326 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 Thor 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 Thor 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 Thor 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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