Please Wait While Photos Load
White Mountain Peak - Trail Guide timberlinetrails.net
Hiking to the top of
White Mountain is
about as straight
forward as it gets. A
four wheel drive road
goes all the way to the
top. But do not take it
too lightly, because the
round trip involves 14
miles of hiking above
11,670 feet.
White Mountain is
about as straight
forward as it gets. A
four wheel drive road
goes all the way to the
top. But do not take it
too lightly, because the
round trip involves 14
miles of hiking above
11,670 feet.
You will also gain 2,576 feet to reach the 14,246 foot summit. Rarely does anyone camp out along the way (as far as I know), and
just about everybody does the trip to the summit and back in one day. This makes altitude the main reason why some people do not
make the summit. Getting use to the altitude is important before setting out for the summit. As mentioned in the getting started section,
we usually drive up to about the nine or ten thousand foot level and spend the night in order to get acclimated for our climb.
White Mountain is somewhat centrally located in California, so it is possible to get there from most places in the state in under eight
hours. I live in Southern California, and will get off work a little early on Friday, drive up to about the ten thousand foot level, and
spend the night to acclimate a bit. Then early next morning on Saturday I finish the drive (which takes about a half hour or so), climb
to the top of the peak and back, and finally drive home. This is cool, because you can knock of a California 14er, and only need to
take up a Saturday to do it. But if this seems like this is pushing it, you can always make use of Sunday (if you need to rest up before
driving home). To learn more about problems associated with high altitude, check out our section on Altitude Sickness.
The below Topo Map of the White Mountain will give you a good idea of the ups and downs along the road/trail.
just about everybody does the trip to the summit and back in one day. This makes altitude the main reason why some people do not
make the summit. Getting use to the altitude is important before setting out for the summit. As mentioned in the getting started section,
we usually drive up to about the nine or ten thousand foot level and spend the night in order to get acclimated for our climb.
White Mountain is somewhat centrally located in California, so it is possible to get there from most places in the state in under eight
hours. I live in Southern California, and will get off work a little early on Friday, drive up to about the ten thousand foot level, and
spend the night to acclimate a bit. Then early next morning on Saturday I finish the drive (which takes about a half hour or so), climb
to the top of the peak and back, and finally drive home. This is cool, because you can knock of a California 14er, and only need to
take up a Saturday to do it. But if this seems like this is pushing it, you can always make use of Sunday (if you need to rest up before
driving home). To learn more about problems associated with high altitude, check out our section on Altitude Sickness.
The below Topo Map of the White Mountain will give you a good idea of the ups and downs along the road/trail.
After a short somewhat steep climb up the first
slope (after the locked gate), the trail eases up,
and gradually winds about for about two miles
before reaching the Barcroft Research Station. On
an off day, (as you can see in the image to the
right), there is plenty of solitude as you hike along
the road.
The landscape is very desert like and plant life has
been reduced to tough grasses and other low level
desert plants.
The peak is actually an extinct volcano rising
about 1,600 feet above the plateau surface, and
resides inside the Great Basin. White Mountain is
only a very small part of it all, and most of the
basin is made up by Nevada, half of Utah, and
parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, and California.
slope (after the locked gate), the trail eases up,
and gradually winds about for about two miles
before reaching the Barcroft Research Station. On
an off day, (as you can see in the image to the
right), there is plenty of solitude as you hike along
the road.
The landscape is very desert like and plant life has
been reduced to tough grasses and other low level
desert plants.
The peak is actually an extinct volcano rising
about 1,600 feet above the plateau surface, and
resides inside the Great Basin. White Mountain is
only a very small part of it all, and most of the
basin is made up by Nevada, half of Utah, and
parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, and California.
The first major landmark that you will come
across is the Barcroft Research Station. The
center was formally established on September 1st
of 1950. It was set up for the study of two
independent fields of scientific interest. The first
was to create a high level laboratory on location
where biologists could study the effect of high
altitude on the ecological environment and the
physiological processes that are involved in
acclimatization. Second, it was to fulfill a need for
astronomers and astrophysicists to obtain an
observatory site that would provide the best
seeing conditions with a minimum of atmospheric
interference. At 12,470 feet, it has become a very
useful research center, and much valuable data
has been collected and studied. It continues in use
today, and is usually staffed by at least eight
scientists.
across is the Barcroft Research Station. The
center was formally established on September 1st
of 1950. It was set up for the study of two
independent fields of scientific interest. The first
was to create a high level laboratory on location
where biologists could study the effect of high
altitude on the ecological environment and the
physiological processes that are involved in
acclimatization. Second, it was to fulfill a need for
astronomers and astrophysicists to obtain an
observatory site that would provide the best
seeing conditions with a minimum of atmospheric
interference. At 12,470 feet, it has become a very
useful research center, and much valuable data
has been collected and studied. It continues in use
today, and is usually staffed by at least eight
scientists.
The White Mountain air is perfect for work in
astronomy, and the mountain has the driest air in
all the world. This is very important to the
astronomer, because any moisture in the
atmosphere deflects light and thus diminishes the
seeing ability of any telescope.
White Mountain also has a research structure on
the summit at 14,246 feet. At this altitude, 42% of
the earth's atmosphere lies below the peak. The
Barcroft well is located next to a small pond
(shown in the image to the left), and is fed by a
natural springs. This provides needed water.
The Barcroft Facility also has a well located inside
one of the buildings.
astronomy, and the mountain has the driest air in
all the world. This is very important to the
astronomer, because any moisture in the
atmosphere deflects light and thus diminishes the
seeing ability of any telescope.
White Mountain also has a research structure on
the summit at 14,246 feet. At this altitude, 42% of
the earth's atmosphere lies below the peak. The
Barcroft well is located next to a small pond
(shown in the image to the left), and is fed by a
natural springs. This provides needed water.
The Barcroft Facility also has a well located inside
one of the buildings.
One half mile from the Barcroft Research Center is
the Barcroft Observatory (shown to the right). It
was built in 1976 and a 62" mirror telescope was
installed. The telescope was part of a study to
determine the best location for the Keck telescope,
which was eventually built in Hawaii. The telescope
was designed to be operated remotely using the
Internet and telephone controls. The telescope is
mounted on the upstairs level, while the ground
floor is occupied by support equipment and the
control system.
The observatory is no longer in operation, but
makes for an interesting site along the trail. I would
have thought it best to continue it's operation
because of the fantastic astronomical seeing
conditions on White Mountain. But the astrophysics
group decided no. Only a weather station is
currently maintained just outside the dome.
the Barcroft Observatory (shown to the right). It
was built in 1976 and a 62" mirror telescope was
installed. The telescope was part of a study to
determine the best location for the Keck telescope,
which was eventually built in Hawaii. The telescope
was designed to be operated remotely using the
Internet and telephone controls. The telescope is
mounted on the upstairs level, while the ground
floor is occupied by support equipment and the
control system.
The observatory is no longer in operation, but
makes for an interesting site along the trail. I would
have thought it best to continue it's operation
because of the fantastic astronomical seeing
conditions on White Mountain. But the astrophysics
group decided no. Only a weather station is
currently maintained just outside the dome.
For current weather conditions at 12,470 feet on
White Mountains, click here. The weather is
transmitted from on location Barcroft Weather
Station.
To the left, you see hikers traversing a rocky
valley just below the observatory site. These
fairly level sections of road are where you can
make some good time, and get a few miles behind
you. As you can see, the flora in this high altitude
region has been reduced to grass and scattered
alpine plants. By late June, most of the snow has
melted from the high altitude meadows. In July it
conditions become warm and very dry. During
August and September you may experience an
occasional thunderstorm, so make sure you keep
clear of the summit and all exposed ridges if
lightning is a possibility.
White Mountains, click here. The weather is
transmitted from on location Barcroft Weather
Station.
To the left, you see hikers traversing a rocky
valley just below the observatory site. These
fairly level sections of road are where you can
make some good time, and get a few miles behind
you. As you can see, the flora in this high altitude
region has been reduced to grass and scattered
alpine plants. By late June, most of the snow has
melted from the high altitude meadows. In July it
conditions become warm and very dry. During
August and September you may experience an
occasional thunderstorm, so make sure you keep
clear of the summit and all exposed ridges if
lightning is a possibility.
Once you complete
about two and three
quarter miles of
your journey, you
will be treated to a
grand view of
White Mountain
Peak. As
mentioned in the
White Mountain
Home Page, late
afternoon is the
best time for photos
of this unique
desert peak. At this
time of day, the
long shadows will
bring out the
beautiful colors and
the many minerals
which are
embedded into the
slopes of this fine
14,246 foot peak.
about two and three
quarter miles of
your journey, you
will be treated to a
grand view of
White Mountain
Peak. As
mentioned in the
White Mountain
Home Page, late
afternoon is the
best time for photos
of this unique
desert peak. At this
time of day, the
long shadows will
bring out the
beautiful colors and
the many minerals
which are
embedded into the
slopes of this fine
14,246 foot peak.
To the left, you see hikers working their way
across the Mcafee Meadow. The meadow section
is about 3 miles in length, and travel will seem to
go quite well on the way up. But on the way
down it seems to drag a bit since most folks are
anxious to get back to their vehicles.
If you are cycling on White Mountain, this three
mile section will give you a nice little break. You
will also make fantastic time going both up and
down on Mcafee Meadow. I love scenes like this,
they give me a sense of real back country travel
through wide open spaces.
The Mcafee Meadow angles slightly downward
on the way up, and this is nice when your heading
for the summit, but remember, every foot lost on
the way up, will have to be made up for later!
across the Mcafee Meadow. The meadow section
is about 3 miles in length, and travel will seem to
go quite well on the way up. But on the way
down it seems to drag a bit since most folks are
anxious to get back to their vehicles.
If you are cycling on White Mountain, this three
mile section will give you a nice little break. You
will also make fantastic time going both up and
down on Mcafee Meadow. I love scenes like this,
they give me a sense of real back country travel
through wide open spaces.
The Mcafee Meadow angles slightly downward
on the way up, and this is nice when your heading
for the summit, but remember, every foot lost on
the way up, will have to be made up for later!
In the above image, you see White Mountain
from the vantage point of the meadow. The
peak seems somewhat close, but the toughest
part is still to come. In the photo on the top
right, you will see our group ascended out of
the Mcafee meadow. In the background is a
nice view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The great gap between the two ranges is made
up of the Owens Valley. One of the deepest
valleys in North America.
To the right you see my son Sean nearing the
end of the Mcafee Meadow area of White
Mountain Peak. At the end of this meadow,
the road descends somewhat sharply into a
small valley, before turning steeply upward.
The final summit push is the most difficult
part of the entire hike.
from the vantage point of the meadow. The
peak seems somewhat close, but the toughest
part is still to come. In the photo on the top
right, you will see our group ascended out of
the Mcafee meadow. In the background is a
nice view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The great gap between the two ranges is made
up of the Owens Valley. One of the deepest
valleys in North America.
To the right you see my son Sean nearing the
end of the Mcafee Meadow area of White
Mountain Peak. At the end of this meadow,
the road descends somewhat sharply into a
small valley, before turning steeply upward.
The final summit push is the most difficult
part of the entire hike.
If you look very closely, you can
just make out the Barcroft Summit
Research Station on top of White
Mountain Peak. Also check out the
trail below. As mentioned above,
you will need to descend steeply
into the small valley below, and
then turn upward in order to get
back on track for the summit.
Here you get a nice view of the
switch-backing trail to the top. I
have not cycled this part of White
Mountain, but from what I have
experienced on foot, I believe that
this would be the most difficult
part by far. You would have to be
in pretty amazing shape in order to
ride this portion of the trail without
having to get off and push your
bike at some point along the way.
just make out the Barcroft Summit
Research Station on top of White
Mountain Peak. Also check out the
trail below. As mentioned above,
you will need to descend steeply
into the small valley below, and
then turn upward in order to get
back on track for the summit.
Here you get a nice view of the
switch-backing trail to the top. I
have not cycled this part of White
Mountain, but from what I have
experienced on foot, I believe that
this would be the most difficult
part by far. You would have to be
in pretty amazing shape in order to
ride this portion of the trail without
having to get off and push your
bike at some point along the way.
Both above images were taken from
just below the summit. There was still a
fair amount of snow in early July 2009
in some places along the final portion of
the trail.
In the upper portion of the photo to the
left, you can just make out a hazy view
of the US state of Nevada.
White Mountain Peak has some
amazing views from it's lofty 14,246
foot summit. So make sure to reserve
some time to take it all in. But in the
meantime, make use of the Summit link
here or below, and check out some of
our photos from the top of White
Mountain Peak.
just below the summit. There was still a
fair amount of snow in early July 2009
in some places along the final portion of
the trail.
In the upper portion of the photo to the
left, you can just make out a hazy view
of the US state of Nevada.
White Mountain Peak has some
amazing views from it's lofty 14,246
foot summit. So make sure to reserve
some time to take it all in. But in the
meantime, make use of the Summit link
here or below, and check out some of
our photos from the top of White
Mountain Peak.
White Mountain Trail Map used with permission. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
Additional White Mountain Peak Links
White Mtn Home Page Getting Started Trail Guide Summit
White Mtn Home Page Getting Started Trail Guide Summit
Above, Kevin Jackson is making his way up the final slopes of White Mountain Peak. The air is at it's thinnest here, and each step
takes effort. In the above photo to the right, you see other hikers making their way up the switchbacks from the valley below. This is
where you gain the most amount of altitude on the trail in the shortest amount of distance.
takes effort. In the above photo to the right, you see other hikers making their way up the switchbacks from the valley below. This is
where you gain the most amount of altitude on the trail in the shortest amount of distance.