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Just above, you can see a photo of the summit
registry box. When we were on top in early July
of 2009, there was one small book and several
loose papers inside. Here, you can record your
name, comments, or anything else you would like
to share with others. In the above image to the
right, you can see me standing in front of the
summit research lab.
In the top portion of the photo to the right, you
will be able to see the Owens Valley far below.
The summit of White Mountain Peak soars over
10,000 vertical feet above this expansive valley.
On the western side, the mighty Sierra Nevada
also rise more than 10,000 feet above the valley
floor. These two facts working together make the
Owens Valley one of the deepest valleys in all of
North America.
registry box. When we were on top in early July
of 2009, there was one small book and several
loose papers inside. Here, you can record your
name, comments, or anything else you would like
to share with others. In the above image to the
right, you can see me standing in front of the
summit research lab.
In the top portion of the photo to the right, you
will be able to see the Owens Valley far below.
The summit of White Mountain Peak soars over
10,000 vertical feet above this expansive valley.
On the western side, the mighty Sierra Nevada
also rise more than 10,000 feet above the valley
floor. These two facts working together make the
Owens Valley one of the deepest valleys in all of
North America.
One of the best parts of being
on any summit, is the 360
degree views. From the top of
White Mountain Peak you will
be able to see several
thousand square miles of
terrain by simply rotating your
position from anywhere you
stand.
To the left you see a view
looking south/southeast from
the summit. Mt Inyo, Keynot
Peak, and Waucoba Mountain
are in the Inyo Range,
Observatory and Mt Barcroft
are in the White Mountains,
and Last Chance Mtn, Tin
Mtn, and Telescope Peak, are
located in Death Valley
National Park. Amazing what
you can see from on top!
on any summit, is the 360
degree views. From the top of
White Mountain Peak you will
be able to see several
thousand square miles of
terrain by simply rotating your
position from anywhere you
stand.
To the left you see a view
looking south/southeast from
the summit. Mt Inyo, Keynot
Peak, and Waucoba Mountain
are in the Inyo Range,
Observatory and Mt Barcroft
are in the White Mountains,
and Last Chance Mtn, Tin
Mtn, and Telescope Peak, are
located in Death Valley
National Park. Amazing what
you can see from on top!
Standing on the summit and
looking north, you can see Mt
Dubois and Montgomery Peak
located in California's White
Mountains. Boundary Peak located
in the US state of Nevada is the
highest peak in that state.
All the peak's featured in the photo
to the right are in the Great Basin.
The basin covers a huge land
mass. Great Basin National Park
which is too far out to be seen
here, is said to have the darkest
nights in the country. This is due to
it's remote location. As with White
Mountain, it is a great place to
view the night sky. 2/3 of all
Americans are unable to see the
Milky Way Galaxy, but you will
have no problem here.
looking north, you can see Mt
Dubois and Montgomery Peak
located in California's White
Mountains. Boundary Peak located
in the US state of Nevada is the
highest peak in that state.
All the peak's featured in the photo
to the right are in the Great Basin.
The basin covers a huge land
mass. Great Basin National Park
which is too far out to be seen
here, is said to have the darkest
nights in the country. This is due to
it's remote location. As with White
Mountain, it is a great place to
view the night sky. 2/3 of all
Americans are unable to see the
Milky Way Galaxy, but you will
have no problem here.
White Mountain Peak - Summit timberlinetrails.net
Located on the
summit of White
Mountain Peak, and
featured in the photo
to the right, is a high
altitude research
station. The small lab
being at 14,246 feet
above sea level is the
highest high-altitude
summit of White
Mountain Peak, and
featured in the photo
to the right, is a high
altitude research
station. The small lab
being at 14,246 feet
above sea level is the
highest high-altitude
laboratory in North America (and fourth highest in the world). As discussed in the Trail Guide section of this site, research continues
to be conducted on a variety of disciplines, including archeology, physiology, biology, and aerospace. The complex is operated by the
University of California. There is also a live weather station located on the summit, and you can get current temperatures and wind
speeds by clicking here. Even though the summit lab is locked most of the time, experiments are being conducted and recorded on
the instruments inside and out. This, along with other obvious reasons, is why they do not want people disturbing the facility or
rummaging about inside.
One of the things that I have always noticed when going through the acclimatization process in the mountains is that I always feel
worse when lying down. The White Mountain research lab not only verified this fact, but they even put a number on it. They found
that when someone was asleep on the summit at 14,246 feet, they reacted physiologically the same as someone who was awake at
16,000 feet. This is why it is always best to stay active after reaching your destination for the night (unless you arrive after sunset).
Activity will improve your ability to acclimate to the high altitude. Plunking down in your tent or lying on a rock will only increase
your chance of getting altitude sick, or can make it worse if you are already suffering from this ailment.
to be conducted on a variety of disciplines, including archeology, physiology, biology, and aerospace. The complex is operated by the
University of California. There is also a live weather station located on the summit, and you can get current temperatures and wind
speeds by clicking here. Even though the summit lab is locked most of the time, experiments are being conducted and recorded on
the instruments inside and out. This, along with other obvious reasons, is why they do not want people disturbing the facility or
rummaging about inside.
One of the things that I have always noticed when going through the acclimatization process in the mountains is that I always feel
worse when lying down. The White Mountain research lab not only verified this fact, but they even put a number on it. They found
that when someone was asleep on the summit at 14,246 feet, they reacted physiologically the same as someone who was awake at
16,000 feet. This is why it is always best to stay active after reaching your destination for the night (unless you arrive after sunset).
Activity will improve your ability to acclimate to the high altitude. Plunking down in your tent or lying on a rock will only increase
your chance of getting altitude sick, or can make it worse if you are already suffering from this ailment.
Above, we complete our panorama of the Sierra
Nevada view from the summit of White Mountain
Peak. The expanse of scenery is truly impressive.
From Olancha Peak to Dunderberg Peak, you are
viewing over 140 linear miles of the Sierra
Nevada Range from one vantage point.
Absolutely incredible!
Well, that's our take on White Mountain Peak.
The group to the right poses for a last photo
before hiking back down to the trailhead at the
locked gate.
On the way down, you will encounter a few uphill
sections, so make sure to rest up a bit on the
summit and enjoy your hard earned
accomplishment of climbing California's third
highest peak.
Nevada view from the summit of White Mountain
Peak. The expanse of scenery is truly impressive.
From Olancha Peak to Dunderberg Peak, you are
viewing over 140 linear miles of the Sierra
Nevada Range from one vantage point.
Absolutely incredible!
Well, that's our take on White Mountain Peak.
The group to the right poses for a last photo
before hiking back down to the trailhead at the
locked gate.
On the way down, you will encounter a few uphill
sections, so make sure to rest up a bit on the
summit and enjoy your hard earned
accomplishment of climbing California's third
highest peak.
Above looking to the southwest you will see the High Sierra starting with Olancha Peak, which is over ninety four miles away. You
can also see the entire Whitney Group. It includes several peaks that are over 14,000 feet including Mt Whitney, which is the highest
peak in the lower 48 at 14,497 feet above sea level. On the other end of the photo, you have Split Mountain and Middle Palisade.
They begin the southern end of the Palisade Group. Mt Williamson at 14,375 feet above sea level is just off center and to the left. It
is the second highest peak in California and just edges out White Mountain Peak which rises to 14,246 feet. Below, you see the entire
Palisade Crest from Split Mountain to Mt Agassiz. The Palisade Crest makes up the highest continuous ridge of the Sierra. Also
included in the image is the largest glacier of the Sierra Nevada, The Palisade Glacier. It is located just beneath the North Palisade.
can also see the entire Whitney Group. It includes several peaks that are over 14,000 feet including Mt Whitney, which is the highest
peak in the lower 48 at 14,497 feet above sea level. On the other end of the photo, you have Split Mountain and Middle Palisade.
They begin the southern end of the Palisade Group. Mt Williamson at 14,375 feet above sea level is just off center and to the left. It
is the second highest peak in California and just edges out White Mountain Peak which rises to 14,246 feet. Below, you see the entire
Palisade Crest from Split Mountain to Mt Agassiz. The Palisade Crest makes up the highest continuous ridge of the Sierra. Also
included in the image is the largest glacier of the Sierra Nevada, The Palisade Glacier. It is located just beneath the North Palisade.
Above and below, we are continuing north from the Palisade Group, and can view many of the peaks in the central portion of the
Sierra Nevada. There are great backpacking and climbing areas here. Mt Humphreys, Mt Darwin, and Bear Creek Spire, just to name
a few, offer many fine climbing routes and other fun activities in their vicinities.
Sierra Nevada. There are great backpacking and climbing areas here. Mt Humphreys, Mt Darwin, and Bear Creek Spire, just to name
a few, offer many fine climbing routes and other fun activities in their vicinities.
Above are some of the lesser known peaks of the High Sierra, and are thus less visited. But below are several very popular peaks with
Mammoth Mountain, the Minarets, Mt Ritter and Banner Peak being a few of the more outstanding examples. These peaks are
extremely popular, and several are located in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. This portion of the High Sierra offers some of the finest
backpacking and hiking in all the world. John Muir considered the Ansel Adams Wilderness the most beautiful section in the entire
Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Another popular peak is Mt Lyell, just below, and it is the highest peak in Yosemite National Park.
Mammoth Mountain, the Minarets, Mt Ritter and Banner Peak being a few of the more outstanding examples. These peaks are
extremely popular, and several are located in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. This portion of the High Sierra offers some of the finest
backpacking and hiking in all the world. John Muir considered the Ansel Adams Wilderness the most beautiful section in the entire
Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Another popular peak is Mt Lyell, just below, and it is the highest peak in Yosemite National Park.
Additional White Mountain Peak Links
White Mtn Home Page Getting Started Trail Guide Summit
White Mtn Home Page Getting Started Trail Guide Summit
If you have not already done so, please make use of the below links to explore other areas of White Mountain Peak. As always, we
hope you have enjoyed your time spent here at Timberline Trails.
hope you have enjoyed your time spent here at Timberline Trails.