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- Wheel Mountain
12,779 ft · Sierra Nevada, California
Wheel Mountain
Wheel Mountain is a 12,779 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the Southeast Ridge: 37 mi, 10,665 ft of gain, Class 3.
Photo: Tyler Bell, CC BY 2.0
Wheel Mountain at a glance
- Elevation12,779 ft3,895 m
- RouteSoutheast RidgeClass 3
- Distance37 mi10,665 ft gain
- Time3 – 4 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia
Climbing the Southeast Ridge
From Bishop, drive to the South Lake trailhead, cross Bishop Pass and descend Dusy Basin to Le Conte Canyon, then hike the John Muir Trail south to Grouse Meadow. Ford the Middle Fork Kings, contour steep slopes into the Rambaud Creek drainage and camp at the lake below Devils Crags. Continue up loose talus to Rambaud Pass and follow the Southeast Ridge, mostly class 2 with easy class 3 moves just below the summit. The ford is serious in high runoff. Plan three to four days. An Inyo National Forest wilderness permit is required; reserve on Recreation.gov up to six months ahead.
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
- Stream crossing
- Loose rock
- Remote location
- Route-finding difficulty
Quests with Wheel Mountain
Sierra Peaks SectionPeaks near Wheel Mountain
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Wheel Mountain?
Wheel Mountain is 12,779 feet (3,895 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.
How hard is it to climb Wheel Mountain?
The Southeast 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: 37 miles with 10,665 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Wheel Mountain?
Most climbers plan 3 – 4 days for the Southeast Ridge, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Wheel Mountain dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: rockfall from loose rock 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 Wheel Mountain?
It is a good idea. Loose rock and rockfall are common on the Southeast Ridge, so a helmet is on the gear list.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Wheel Mountain?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Wheel Mountain reaches 12,779 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 climb Wheel Mountain?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Wheel Mountain 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