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- West Vidette
12,566 ft · Sierra Nevada, California
West Vidette
West Vidette is a 12,566 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the Northeast Chute: 25 mi, 8,045 ft of gain, Class 2.
West Vidette at a glance
- Elevation12,566 ft3,830 m
- RouteNortheast ChuteClass 2
- Distance25 mi8,045 ft gain
- Time2 – 3 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia
Climbing the Northeast Chute
From Independence, drive Onion Valley Road to the Onion Valley trailhead. Cross Kearsarge Pass, take the Bullfrog Lake trail to the John Muir Trail, and descend to Vidette Meadow. Cross Bubbs Creek and follow the faint use trail up Vidette Creek to the lower Vidette Lakes. The broad Class 2 Northeast Chute rises from the lakes to the saddle north of the peak, and an easy ridge walk reaches the summit. The chute holds snow in early summer and is loose rock later. Deerhorn makes a natural second peak. Plan two or three days. An Inyo National Forest wilderness permit is required.
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
- Loose rock
- Snow near summit
- High altitude
- Storms
Quests with West Vidette
Sierra Peaks SectionPeaks near West Vidette
Frequently asked questions
How tall is West Vidette?
West Vidette is 12,566 feet (3,830 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.
How hard is it to hike West Vidette?
The Northeast Chute is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 25 miles with 8,045 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb West Vidette?
Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the Northeast Chute, with at least one night on the mountain.
Can a beginner hike West Vidette?
The Northeast Chute needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard trip: 25 miles with 8,045 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 West Vidette?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and West Vidette reaches 12,566 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 West Vidette?
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 West Vidette 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