"Pacific Crest Peak" : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

"Latopie Peak" second from right, "Pacific Crest Peak", center, Peak, 10,990', rounded Peak, right- from the east

Latopie Peak , 11,265 and Leavitt Peak, 11,570 from Pacific Crest Peak

"Latopie Peak" and Leavitt Peak from "Pacific Crest Peak"

Just south of Sonora Pass (9,643') along the Sierra Crest are 3 small peaks. The Pacific Crest Trail goes right by them. They are all officially unnamed. The first one south from the Sonora Pass is approximately 10,990'. The second one is 11,245' and the third is 11,265'. The PCT is roughly 10,800' as it runs below these peaks. The terrain is mostly open, smooth, easy volcanic walk-up hiking. With the exception of "Latopie Peak" which involves some class 2-3, the first 2 are obviously class one cakewalks a few hundred feet above the trail. "Pacific Crest Peak" (the second peak) is possibly the easiest eleven thousander in the Sierra. Nevertheless the views are arguably more impressive than say, Stanislaus Peak (11,233') 3.5 miles north of Sonora Pass due to it's proximity to the higher peaks to the south and unobstructed canyons both east and west.

Getting There

North from the Pacific Crest Trail, Stanislaus Peak, 11,233', left, Sonora Peak, 11,459', right

From the town of Sonora in the Sierra foothills go 70 miles east on Hwy. 108 to Sonora Pass.
From Hwy. 395 below the eastern Sierra go 15 miles west to Sonora Pass.
From Sonora Pass take the Pacific Crest Trail south as it winds up to the crest 2.5 miles to a saddle between the first and second peaks.
"Pacific Crest Peak" is right there above to the south. It is class one from the north, west or south.

Red Tape

This day hike is on the border of Stanislaus and Toiyabe National Forest and no permits are required.
Hwy. 108 as it approaches Sonora Pass from east or west is steep and winding with hairpin turns. Not recommended for RVs or tractor-trailers.

Camping

Southeast from "Pacific Crest Peak"

CAMPGROUNDS IN THE VICINITY: EUREKA VALLEY, 6,000', Along Hwy. 108, 2.3 miles east of Dardenelles Resort and 2.7 miles west of Kennedy Meadows Road junction.
BAKER, 6,250', at the start of Kennedy Meadows Road junction.
DEADMAN, 6,300', .6 miles along the Kennedy Meadows Road.
CHIPMUNK, 7,950', along Hwy. 108, 4.7 miles west of Sonora Pass.
LEAVITT MEADOWS, 7,150', along Hwy. 108, 7.8 miles west of Sonora Pass and 7.3 miles east of Hwy. 395.
SONORA BRIDGE, 6,800', along Hwy. 108, 1.4 miles east of Hwy. 395.

Images


	$"Latopie Peak" , 11,265\' from "Pacific Crest Peak"$	$Tower Peak, 11,755\' from "Pacific Crest Peak"$	$"Latopie Peak" , 11,265\' and Leavitt Peak, 11,570\' from "Pacific Crest Peak"$
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