California 14ers Guide: Easiest to Hardest 14ers & the Routes to Summit Them

One of the coveted goals of many California hikers, peak-baggers, and mountaineers is to summit all of the tallest peaks in California, aka, the California. 14ers. Fourteeners are among the tallest and most challenging summits in the United States, which makes them worth the struggle, planning, and challenge to reach their rocky summit. 

The 14ers in California are spectacular and were a pivotal factor in my growth as a mountaineer, hiker, and backpacker.

In fact, my very first mountaineering trip in California was the Mountaineer’s Route up Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous US. 

Following the successful summit of Mount Whitney, I found myself intrigued by the idea of one day summiting all of the California fourteeners. So far I’ve made it to the top of Whitney, Shasta, White Mountain, Langley, and have made attempts on Split and Middle Palisade.

Hiking and climbing the California 14ers is a fun challenge for the aspiring peak-bagger or mountaineer.

My journey to summit the California 14ers has been a slower one (especially since I have since moved out of the state and into Colorado), but I still enjoy summiting these peaks when I get the opportunity. 

Since the California 14ers are so special, I created this California fourteener guide to help you find all the info you need to start planning your own California peak-bagging adventure and summiting them yourself!

If you’re looking to get your feet wet, I’ve ordered this list from easiest to hardest. Some of the California 14ers can be quite technical, so you will need to build your confidence and skills with time to ensure you can summit them safely.


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WHAT WE WILL COVER IN THIS CALIFORNIA 14ERS GUIDE

In this California 14ers guide, we will cover the following topics to help you understand the California 14ers – and start hiking them!

  1. What is a 14er? - Find out more about the accepted definition of a “true” 14er.

  2. What Do the 14er Class Ratings Mean? - Learn the details of the Yosemite Decimal System.

  3. When to Hike the California 14ers - Determine the best time of the year to hike the California fourteeners in good weather.

  4. California 14ers Map - Get an overview of where the 14ers are in relation to each other.

  5. California 14er Resources -Some extra resources to help you plan and prepare for your summits of the California fourteeners.

  6. Descriptions of All the California 14ers Ranked by Difficulty (from easiest to hardest 14er) - A list of the California 14ers by difficulty, including the easiest route up each one.

  7. How to Start Hiking the California 14ers - Tips on training and learning the skills need to safely summit 14ers.

  8. California 14ers Packing List - What to bring on your California 14er summit hike.

I’ve also linked to essential hiking trail guides and resources along the way to help you further plan and prepare for your summits.

The California fourteeners are located in some of the most beautiful spots in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

1. WHAT QUALIFIES AS A FOURTEENER MOUNTAIN?

There are 15 mountains in California that rise to an elevation above 14,000 feet, but only 12 of them are considered "true" 14ers. These are the highest mountains in California.

The generally accepted rule is that to be classified as a true 14er, a peak must also have at least 300 feet of prominence. Prominence is defined as how high the summit of a peak rises above the surrounding saddle. 

For people who are trying to bag all the fourteeners in California or other states, this is an important rule. In this guide, we still cover all 15 of the California mountains that rise above 14,000 feet, since it’s a fun challenge to hike any fourteener, whether it’s considered a “true” 14er or not!

2. WHAT DO THE CLASS DIFFICULTY RATINGS MEAN?

Fourteeners and other mountain peaks are rated on a grading scale called the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). This scale ranges from Class 1 to Class 5, with the difficulty increasing in the higher numbers. Here is what you can generally expect from each class.

Mount Langley is a class 1 California Fourteener.

CLASS 1

Class 1 is considered easy hiking, usually on a good, well-defined trail. This can include hikes that are steep and strenuous, but non-technical, meaning they don’t really require any other skills than walking uphill. The Mount Whitney hike is a good example of this. 

CLASS 2

Class 2 hikes are slightly more difficult and may briefly involve the need to use your hands. You could be hiking off trail over talus, scree, or loose rocks, but the movement is not very difficult. Split Mountain is a good example of this from the California 14ers.

CLASS 3

Class 3 terrain will contain scrambling, meaning you have to use your hands and feet to move over rocks. While this requires more technical skill, this doesn’t usually require a rope. Class 3 also includes steep snow. Mount Russell is a great example of this.

This photo is from Split Mountain,  a class 2 California 14er.

CLASS 4

On Class 4 hikes, you will actually be climbing, and handholds and footholds are required. These hikes are steep, and a fall would be fatal, so ropes are often used on Class 4 terrain. North Palisade’s easiest route includes sections of Class 4 terrain.

CLASS 5

Class 5 is when you enter the realm of technical rock climbing, and should always be roped up and be belayed. The ranking of Class 5 climbs is further broken down by difficulty from 5.0 (easiest) to 5.15 (extremely difficult).

Many of the California 14ers have Class 5 “options” to reach the summit. For instance, Mount Whitney has a Class 1 trail AND a few Class 5 options as well.

3. CALIFORNIA WEATHER: WHEN TO HIKE OR CLIMB THE CALIFORNIA 14ERS

Summer is the ideal time to hike or climb the California 14ers. When it’s too hot other places to do anything but lie on the beach, head to the mountains instead!

June to September are the prime months to attempt the California 14ers. While the 14ers can be summitted year-round by very experienced mountaineers, it’s much safer to attempt to hike or climb the California 14ers when the possibility of snow and ice is low.

Here’s an average temperature map of the Mount Whitney area, which is similar to the average temps of many of the California fourteeners.

This is an average temperature map of the Mount Whitney area (for example), which is similar for many of the California fourteeners.

If it’s a high snow year, you could still encounter snow on the higher altitude sections of California 14ers as late as June or July. Be aware of the probability of snow and the risks it entails on the 14er you choose when you decide when to attempt it. And never be afraid to turn around without summitting if you encounter terrain that you are unprepared for.

 4. CALIFORNIA 14ERS MAP

On the California fourteeners map below you will see that most of the California 14ers are located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Mount Shasta is located in the California Cascades and White Mountain is located in the Inyo White Mountains.

If you click on the map below you can zoom in and explore the California 14ers in more detail.

5. CALIFORNIA 14ER RESOURCES

Here are a few of my favorite useful resources for planning and preparing for your summits of the 15 California fourteeners.

For more information on California 14ers check out one of these fourteener books.

If you are thinking of taking on the challenge of tackling all the California 14ers, I highly recommend checking out some of these books:

Note: These links may be affiliate links.

1) California’s Fourteeners Guidebook - It’s the original resource for more in-depth information about the different routes and how to progress through climbing them, although it is quite old now.

2) The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, Trails - A GREAT resource for any and all things in the Sierra Nevada Mountains!

3) High Sierra Climbing - For those of you who are looking for class 5 alternatives to summiting some of these Sierra Nevada high points.

4) Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills - Another must own for any aspiring peak bagger or mountaineer.

5) Climbing California's Fourteeners: Hiking the State’s 15 Peaks Over 14,000 Feet - This is a newer guidebook to the California 14ers, since the other one is pretty old now and some of the info might be outdated. Falcon Guides is a trusted guidebook publisher, so this is a big update.

Also, check out Peakbagger.com – This resource is particularly useful when looking for GPX files from people who have gone before you and summited the fourteeners. You’ll need to do your research and due diligence on the files you download, but it’s a great starting point for planning your trip or creating a GPX file for your GPS.  

6. 14ERS BY DIFFICULTY

How many 14ers does California have? While there are technically only 12 "true" 14ers in California, I have included all 15 peaks in California above 14,000 feet here.

Obviously ranking anything by difficulty is subjective based on someone's technical skills and comfort in the mountains, but I try to be as objective as possible in ranking difficulty (and I will let you know if something is my own personal opinion).

Some of the California 14ers will require extra skills like rock climbing and mountaineering.

Also, please note that there are variances among different resources in the exact height and prominence of each 14er, but they shouldn't vary by more than several feet or so.

Climbing the California 14ers from the easiest 14ers to the most difficult 14ers will help you progress and build your skills as a mountaineer. The following list of California fourteeners is ordered from the most beginner hikes to climbs that require the most experience.

You can also choose to go guided with a professional guiding company like Sierra Mountain Guides, or another guiding company. This is a great option for some of the more technical peaks, especially if you aren’t as confident in navigating trickier terrain or lack the needed climbing and mountaineering skills for the more technical California summits.

WHITE MOUNTAIN PEAK

  • Height: 14,246 feet

  • Prominence: 7,196 feet

  • Mountain Range: Inyo White Mountains

  • Easiest Route: South Face

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 1

  • Permit Required: No

White mountain is considered the easiest 14er in California.

While White Mountain Peak is the 3rd tallest peak in California, it is also generally considered to be the easiest of the California 14ers. It is also one of only two California 14ers that lies outside the Sierra Nevada range.

The South Face (Class 1) trail is the recommended route for beginners, as it is basically a 4WD road all the way to the summit. It’s a 7 mile hike with approximately 3,400 feet of elevation gain. While the hike itself is not technically difficult, the trailhead is high up at 12,000 feet, so altitude can be a concern if you’re not acclimated to it. 

White Mountain can easily be done as a day hike, and it takes on average 7-9 hours to complete the hike. 

>> READ THE FULL TRAIL GUIDE: Check out my complete guide to hiking White Mountain for all the details, including a full trip report. 

MOUNT WHITNEY

  • Height: 14,498 feet

  • Prominence: 10,080 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: Whitney Trail

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 1

  • Permit Required: Yes

Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the lower US and California fourteener.

Mount Whitney is the most famous of all the California 14ers, since it is also the highest peak in California and the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, and it is considered a relatively easy 14er to climb – in fact, Mt. Whitney via the Mountaineers Route was my first 14er!

While the main Mount Whitney Trail might not be technical, this is definitely a difficult hike with a round trip distance of 22 miles and 6,200 feet of elevation gain. Many people do Mt. Whitney as a day hike, but I think backpacking it makes for a much more enjoyable experience.

During peak season, from May 1 - Nov 1, permits are required for Mt. Whitney, whether you are day hiking or backpacking. Due to its popularity as the tallest peak in the lower 48, these permits are very competitive, and you’ll need to enter a lottery to get one.

>> MOUNT WHITNEY PERMITS: My in-depth guide to getting Mt. Whitney permits goes over everything you need to know in order to get a permit. You could also backpack to Mount Whitney and get an Inyo National Forest permit instead (a bit easier than Mount Whitney permits). An example of this would be to backpack from Onion Valley to Whitney Portal.

>> READ THE FULL TRAIL GUIDE: If summitting Mt. Whitney is one of your goals, check out my ultimate guide to hiking and backpacking the Mt. Whitney Trail for all you need to know to achieve this epic summit.

>> JOHN MUIR TRAIL ENTRY/EXIT: Mount Whitney is part of the JMT and many people hiking Northbound on the JMT choose to start at Whitney Portal. Be sure to check out my full JMT permit guide if you want to learn more about grabbing a JMT permit with an entry point of Mount Whitney.

MOUNT LANGLEY

  • Height: 14,026 feet

  • Prominence: 1,198 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: New Army Pass

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 1

  • Permit Required: Yes, if you’re camping overnight

Hiking Mount Langley from the Cottonwood Lakes trail is one of my favorite California 14er hikes.

Mount Langley is located near Mount Whitney and is often overshadowed by that famous peak. But Mount Langley is one of the best hikes in California (in my opinion), and makes an excellent beginner 14er peak with a Class 1 trail to the summit.

Starting at Cottonwood Lakes Trail, you can choose to follow either Old Army Pass (which is steeper but more direct) or New Army Pass (which has switchbacks and a more well-defined path).

Mount Langley feels a little more “desert-like” than the rest of the California 14ers, since it is the southernmost 14er in the state. While it can be done as a day hike if you’re feeling really ambitious, the hike to the summit is about 26.5 miles round trip with 5,940 feet elevation gain, so I recommend doing it as a 2-3 day backpacking trip instead. Plus, the Cottonwood Lakes area is just a beautiful area to spend time in.

Mount Langley was my second California 14er, and it actually took me two attempts to summit, since I ran into early season snow on my first try.

>> READ THE FULL TRAIL GUIDE: For that trip report and all the info you need to prepare for your own hike of Mount Langley, check out my Mount Langley trail guide.

SPLIT MOUNTAIN

  • Height: 14,058 feet

  • Prominence: 1,525 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: North Slope from the East

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 2

  • Permit Required: Yes, if you’re camping overnight

Split Mountain is a tough California 14er, but still more accessible at class 2.

Split Mountain actually consists of two summits (hence the name). The north summit is the tallest of the two, and the easiest route is up North Slope from the east via Red Lake. 

While Split Mountain is considered one of the easier California 14ers, it is definitely a step up in difficulty from the Class 1 peaks, and I don’t recommend Split Mountain if you’re just starting out climbing 14ers.

While it is considered Class 2, I personally found it to be fairly technical mainly because “route finding” can lead you into Class 3 or Class 4 sections if you’re not careful. You should be comfortable hiking through loose, steep talus, and be aware that the trail is easy to lose, especially on the way to Red Lake. You’ll want to download a GPX file to follow to avoid bushwhacking on the wrong trail.

The trail to the summit of Split Lake is approximately 14 miles round trip with 7,500 feet of elevation gain. I recommend doing this over the course of a 2-3 day backpacking trip.

>> READ THE FULL TRAIL GUIDE: For lots more info about Split Mountain and my experience attempting the summit, check out my ultimate guide to hiking Split Mountain.

MOUNT SILL

  • Height: 14,153 feet

  • Prominence: 413 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: Southwest Slope

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 2+

  • Permit Required: Yes, if you’re camping overnight

Mount Sill 14er is recognizable for its unique thumb-shaped peak.

Mount Sill is recognizable for its unique thumb-shaped peak, and can be summited by several different routes, though all involve a crossing of the Palisade Glacier. Before attempting Mount Sill, you should be familiar with mountaineering techniques for traveling over snow and ice. 

The easiest route up Mount Sill is the Southwest Slope. This trail involves a lot of scrambling and is about 7.6 miles round trip covering 3,380 feet of elevation gain.

MOUNT MUIR

  • Height: 14,012 feet

  • Prominence: 331 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: Whitney Trail

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 3

  • Permit Required: Yes

The California 14er, Mount Muir, requires Class 3 scrambling at the summit.

Mount Muir actually starts at the same trailhead as Mount Whitney, and the summit makes a good side trip for hikers who want to add on another 14er after summiting Mount Whitney. Mount Muir is located about a mile away from the Mount Whitney trail and will add an extra hour or so onto that hike.

The summit block of Mount Muir requires Class 3 scrambling. You could also choose to do a technical rock climb up the East Buttress on one of several routes, rated from Class 4 to 5.9.

Since you’ll start in Whitney portal, you’ll still need to grab a Mount Whitney permit.

MIDDLE PALISADE

  • Height: 14,012 feet

  • Prominence: 1,119 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: Northeast Face

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 3

  • Permit Required: Yes, if you’re camping overnight

Middle Palisade is a class 3 California 14er.

Summiting Middle Palisade via the Northeast Face is a 16.2-mile round trip hike with 6,873 feet elevation gain. It’s very important to check the weather before attempting Middle Palisade or you might encounter a lot of snow, which will definitely make the hike more difficult and dangerous.

Glacier travel also might be required on Middle Palisade (depending on when you go), and you will need to do lots of 3rd class scrambling in order to summit. You should be confident in your mountaineering skills if you want to make the hike up Middle Palisade, and be sure to do plenty of research on this peak before summiting. Route finding is critical.

I attempted a summit of Middle Palisade once but experienced such bad altitude sickness, that we turned around at the base of Middle Palisade. We weren’t making good time, my judgement was off, and I had pretty gnarly headaches. Sometimes making the tough call to turn around is the right call to make in the mountains.

MOUNT TYNDALL

  • Height: 14,019 feet

  • Prominence: 1,125 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: Northwest Ridge

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 2

  • Permit Required: Yes

The Mount Tyndall California 14er is more remote than other fourteeners.

While Mount Tyndall is only rated Class 2, it is considered a more difficult climb than some Class 3 14ers because it is very remote with an arduous approach hike. The total hike to the summit of Mount Tyndall and back is approximately 25 miles with 9,000 feet of elevation gain.

The hike to Mount Tyndall starts at Shepherd’s Pass Trailhead, and it is an 11 mile hike with 7,000 feet of gain just to reach Shepherd’s Pass itself. This approach hike is probably the most difficult part of climbing Mount Tyndall, so be prepared for a slog.

Mount Williamson is also approached via Shepherd’s Pass and because it is such a difficult hike to get there, most people will tackle both Mount Tyndall and Mount Williamson in the same trip.

MOUNT WILLIAMSON

  • Height: 14,373 feet

  • Prominence: 1,679 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: West Face

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 3

  • Permit Required: Yes, if you’re camping overnight

Mount Williamson is another 14er in California that requires some good route finding skills.

Mount Williamson is an imposingly grand peak with many complex routes to the summit. The easiest of these is the Class 3 West Face which requires good route finding skills. Just before the summit of Mount Williamson, you’ll have to ascend a chimney. While this is considered Class 3, it can be quite intimidating if you’re not used to that type of climbing.

Mount Williamson begins with the same intense approach hike from Shepherd’s Pass as Mount Tyndall, so most people will combine the two summits into one trip. Mount Williamson used to be closed for much of the year due its location in the California Bighorn Sheep Zoological Area, but the restrictions have been lifted, and it is now open to hike year-round.

MOUNT RUSSELL

  • Height: 14,088 feet

  • Prominence: 1,129 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: East Ridge

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 3

  • Permit Required: Yes

The Mount Russel California 14er via its East Ridge route is not for those who are scared of heights.

Like many of the California 14ers, Mount Russell begins at the Mt. Whitney trailhead at Whitney Portal. Mount Russell is located about a mile north of Mount Whitney itself, and is an excellent peak for technical rock climbers. The Fishhook Arete in particular is a great multi-pitch 5.9 climb with a sweeping view. 

The easiest route up Mount Russell is the East Ridge, which is Class 3. The ridge climbing can be quite scary if you’re afraid of heights or not used to exposure. While it is not technically difficult, the steep drop-off can easily overwhelm people

MOUNT SHASTA

  • Height: 14,162 feet

  • Prominence: 9,832 feet

  • Mountain Range: California Cascades

  • Easiest Route: Avalanche Gulch

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 2+

  • Permit Required: Yes

The Mount Shasta California Fourteener is located in the California Cascades.

Unlike nearly every other California 14er, Mount Shasta is not located in the Sierra Nevada Range but is in the California Cascades. Because it is significantly farther north than the other California fourteeners, snow and ice travel is required on any route up Mount Shasta.

The easiest way up Mount Shasta is the Avalanche Gulch route, but this is still a strenuous route that you need to have technical mountaineering skills to summit. If you’re a beginner who wants to build these skills, a great way to do that is to hire a guide for Mount Shasta.

>> READ THE FULL TRAIL GUIDE: I did Mount Shasta as part of a guided trip, and you can find out more about the whole experience of climbing Mount Shasta in my guide to climbing Mount Shasta via Avalanche Gulch.

NORTH PALISADE

  • Height: 14,242 feet

  • Prominence: 2,895 feet

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: West Chute

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 4

  • Permit Required: Yes, if you're camping overnight

The North Palisade. 14er is a technical route, and even the easiest way to the summit is Class 4.

North Palisade is a technical route, and even the easiest way to the summit is Class 4. There are many routes up North Palisade, and route finding can definitely be a struggle. The West Chute requires 4th class scrambling, but it is the easiest route to the summit. Alpine climbers like to attempt the U-Notch Couloir of North Palisade.

North Palisade can be done as part of the Palisade Traverse to bag several summits in one go.

POLEMONIUM PEAK **

  • Height: 14,100 feet

  • Prominence: 200 feet << the reason it doesn't qualify as a "true" California 14er

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada

  • Easiest Route: From the U-Notch

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 4

  • Permit Required: Yes, if you’re camping overnight

Polemonium Peak is not a “true” California 14er because of prominence.

Polemonium Peak is one of the three California mountains that are over 14,000 feet but don’t technically qualify as 14ers because of prominence. The peak is named for a flower unique to the Sierra Nevada called Polemonium Eximium, commonly known as Sky Pilot. This pretty purple or blue flower can be found on peaks between 9,000 and 14,000 feet.

The easiest route up Polemonium Peak is the Class 4 U-Notch. This peak can also be climbed as part of the Palisade Traverse. 

STARLIGHT PEAK **

  • Height: 14,220 feet

  • Prominence: 120 feet << the reason it doesn't qualify as a "true" California 14er

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada Mountain Range

  • Easiest Route: Northwest Chute

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 5 (5.6)

  • Permit Required: Yes, if you’re camping overnight

Starlight Peak is really a sub-peak of North Palisade, and its lack of prominence is why it is not considered a “true” 14er. It is recognized by its distinctive summit spire known as the Milk Bottle.

While the Northwest Chute up Starlight Peak is Class 4, the only way up to the summit of the Milk Bottle is through 5th class climbing, and the easiest route is 5.6. Starlight Peak can be summited as part of the Palisade Traverse.

THUNDERBOLT PEAK **

  • Height: 14,003 feet

  • Prominence: 223 feet << the reason it doesn't qualify as a "true" California 14er

  • Mountain Range: Sierra Nevada Mountain Range

  • Easiest Route: Southwest Chute Number 1

  • Class of Easiest Route: Class 5 (5.9)

  • Permit Required: Yes, if you’re camping overnight

Thunderbolt Peak is probably the most difficult of all the California 14ers.

Thunderbolt Peak is probably the most difficult of all the California 14ers. While there are several routes up to the summit monolith, including a beautiful ridge line and various alpine couloirs, reaching the actual summit requires technical rock climbing rated 5.9.

The name of Thunderbolt Peak comes from the first ascent, when a bolt of lightning hit the monolith that makes up the summit just as one of the first ascensionists was descending, barely missing him. Thunderbolt Peak is also part of the Palisade Traverse. 

THE PALISADE TRAVERSE

The Palisade Traverse is a route that incorporates the summits of Thunderbolt Peak, Starlight Peak, North Palisade, Polemonium Peak, and Mount Sill so you can check off five 14ers in one push.

This can be done car-to-car in one day for ambitious and experienced mountaineers, but it’s also often done as a backpacking trip over the course of a few days.

All of these peaks, with the exception of Mount Sill, are Class 4 or 5, so you should only attempt the Palisade Traverse after you have built up your mountaineering experience. This is NOT something beginners should attempt. Even experienced climbers are challenged in this terrain due to complicated route finding, loose blocks of granite rock, and the technical terrain.

The California Mountains are home to some of the tallest peaks in the United States, aka, the California Fourteeners.

7. HOW TO START HIKING THE CALIFORNIA 14ERS

Even if you’re super excited about hiking the California 14ers, you might also be a little overwhelmed about how to start. I think the best way to go about tackling these fourteeners is as a progression. 

Start with the easiest peaks – the Class 1 hikes – to build your confidence, and then do some of the Class 2 hikes to build your skills.  As you start getting more comfortable in the mountains and at altitude, you can decide if you’re ready to tackle more technical peaks that require scrambling and climbing.

If you’re unsure if you’re prepared for the Class 3, 4, or even 5 fourteeners, I definitely recommend hiring a guide - look for one certified by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) - to literally show you the ropes and help keep you safe. You can also check out courses to learn new skills and join a mountaineering club to find adventure buddies. 

You should most definitely train before hiking or climbing any of the California 14ers.

For more information on how to start hiking the California 14ers, check out my post on 7 Tips to Hiking and Summitting Your First Fourteener Mountain. This will help you choose the right peak for your first 14er, develop a training plan, and get prepared with gear and logistics.

8. CALIFORNIA 14ERS PACKING LIST

The gear you carry will vary whether depending on whether you’re hiking or backpacking your California 14er route. We have some EXCELLENT resources on packing for day hiking and backpacking here on the blog, so I highly recommend you check them out:

But whether you’re day hiking or backpacking, there are a few absolutely essential items to make sure you have when you’re hiking one of the California 14ers. Here is what to make sure you have in your pack on your California 14er summit attempt (but remember, this is not a full list of everything you need!).

Note: The list below may contain affiliate links.

1) Trekking Poles: Many California 14ers have quite steep trails, and trekking poles will help you with both the uphills and the downhills. I recommend the Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles .
2) Water Bottle and CamelBak: CamelBaks are awesome for hiking! They are the easiest way to stay hydrated, and I typically always bring one with me. I recommend getting one that has at least a 3 liter reservoir. Also consider bringing a Nalgene or water bottle for backup. That way, if a leak develops in your CamelBak, you can at least transfer water to the Nalgene and still be OK.
3) Water Filter: It’s important to have a water filter on your California 14er hikes. Do not drink the water in the outdoors without filtering it first. I've become a big fan of the Katadyn BeFree , but the Sawyer Squeeze is a great affordable option as well.
4) Headlamp: Even if you’re day hiking some of the California 14ers, you’re going to need a headlamp because you’ll probably have to start in the dark. And just in case things don’t go as planned, you should always bring a headlamp + extra batteries on every hike. I like the Petzl Actik Core .
5) GPS – It’s always smart to at least use an app like Gaia GPS for peace of mind, even if you don’t have a dedicated handheld GPS device. Some of the California 14er trails can be really hard to follow, so a GPS will keep you on track.
6) Rain Jacket – Thunderstorms are common in the Sierra Nevadas, so you should be prepared with a rain layer, whether that be a rain jacket or an emergency poncho. The Patagonia Torrentshell is a solid rain jacket option.
7) Down Jacket – When you’re starting early for a California 14er summit, it’s going to be cold. Be prepared and bring at least a nice lightweight down jacket with you, like the Patagonia Down Sweater or the Patagonia Nano Puff.
8) Snacks: Bring plenty of food and snacks (a mix of salty and sweet gives you options when you’re not sure what you’ll be craving) to fuel your big adventure! You’ll want to be constantly snacking on your hike to maintain energy. I like to pack Clif Bars, Complete Cookies, and Larabars for quick snacks. Altitude can make you feel “not hungry” so be sure to eat even if you aren’t feeling hunger. Electrolytes, like Nuun, are also great to bring along.
9) Socks – I always bring at LEAST 2 pairs of socks on long day hikes like the California 14ers. Dry feet are the key to preventing blisters. You’ll want to swap out your socks every so often during your hike. Don’t wait till you get hot spots. Anytime you stop to rest, just swap those puppies for a fresh pair and let the other ones dry on the back of your pack. I recommend Darn Tough wool socks.

Again, the above is NOT your full day hiking checklist (just some of the super important items to remember), so check out my day hiking checklist for my full gear recommendations.

DOWNLOAD OUR HIKING PACKING CHECKLIST:

So that you can hit the trails with peace of mind knowing that you didn’t leave anything essential behind!


I hope this guide has inspired you to add at least one of the California 14ers to your bucket list  – and given you the confidence to know it’s possible!

 
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