Arnot Peak

Overview

Arnot Peak is located within the Carson Iceberg Wilderness area in the Stanislaus National Forest. It lies directly on the Sierra crest with the eastern watersheds flowing to the West Walker River via Wolf Creek and the western watersheds emptying into the Clark Fork of the Stanislaus River via Disaster Creek. The summit register suggests that the peak is climbed regularly by a dozen or more parties per year. Adorning the summit rocks is a memorial plaque to the peak’s namesake, Nathaniel D. Arnot (see etymology below). Views from the summit are grand, encompassing nearby peak such as Highland and Silver Peaks to the north, Disaster to the south, Hiram, Folger and Airola Peaks to the west. More distant, various peaks of the Sonora Pass area are visible including Leavitt, Sonora and Stanislaus Peaks as well as Dardanelles Cone.

View to the north from the summit

View to the west from the summit

View to the south from the summit

The terrain surrounding the peak is typical high alpine forest. Watercourses have been carved deeply overtime owning to the easily eroded volcanic nature of the soils. The summit block and surrounding ridges are primarily volcanic in nature. Indeed the area has several interesting (but small) cinder cone peaks as evidence of its volcanic origins. The north and eastern aspects of the peak are dominated by large and forbidding cliffs. The rock quality is likely to be very loose and hence poor for climbing.



The peak is usually approached from the Highland Lakes area via the Upper Gardiner Meadows trailhead. Alternatively, one can climb (usually in conjunction with Disaster Peak) the peak beginning from the Iceberg Meadows area at the end of the Clark Fork Road off of Hwy 108. By either route the peak would be considered a class 2 climb with perhaps a few sections of class 3 for those willing to look for it.

Route	Approx. Mileage	Total Elevation Gain	Difficulty
Upper Gardner Meadow	4.25 Miles	2,300 Feet	Class 2/3
Disaster Creek Trailhead	5.3 Miles	3,600 Feet	Class 2/3

Getting There

As noted in the above table, there are at least two routes to reach the peak by; one from Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) and the other from Sonora Pass (Hwy 108).

Route 1

The Highway
The most accessible route begins at the Upper Gardner Meadows trailhead near Highland Lakes. To reach the trailhead travel approximately 17 miles east of Bear Valley on Hwy 4 to the Highland Lakes Road (FS 8N01). Proceed 5.5 miles to the trailhead. The last 3-4 miles of the road are unpaved but in good condition and passable by passenger cars.

The Hike
Depart the Upper Gardner Meadows trailhead and proceed about 2 miles to the Pacific Crest Trail, passing through Lower Gardner Meadows on the way. Note that in the early season the trail will be very wet and muddy in this section.


Continue south on the PCT for another mile or so, then, prior to crossing Wolf Creek, head cross country to the south following along the west side of the creek, up the ridge.

Route 2

The Highway
The second route begins from the Disaster Creek trailhead at the end of the Clark Fork Road. From Sonora travel on Hwy 108 east about 45 miles to the road and turn left (north). Proceed 8.4 miles to the trailhead.

The Hike
Follow the Disaster Creek trail for approximately 2.75 miles until the junction to the Paradise Valley trail. Head east into the valley. Follow this trail for another 1.25-1.50 miles or until you are comfortable heading cross county up the southern slopes of the peak.

Red Tape

Arnot Peak lies within the Carson Iceberg Wilderness Area. Permits are not required for day hiking, but they are for overnight visits. Permits can be obtained at the following Ranger District offices.

Calaveras Ranger District
P.O. Box 500
(Highway 4)
Hathaway Pines, CA 95233
(209) 795-1381
FAX (209) 795-6849
TDD (209) 795-2854

Stanislaus National Forest
19777 Greenley Road
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 532-3671
FAX (209) 533-1890
TDD (209) 533-0765


More information can be found at the forest service website.

Camping

Campground Information

Campground	# of Sites	Fee	Water	Toilets	Elevation	Comments
Highland Lakes	35	$8.00	Hand Pump Well	Vault	8,600'	First-come first-served
Hermit Valley	25	No Fee. first-come first-served	None	Vault	7,100'	Walk-in sites
Bloomfield	20	$8.00	Hand Pump Well	Vault	7,800'	First-come first-served
Pacific Valley	11	No Fee. first-come first-served	None	Vault	7,600'	June to October, weather permitting July

Information on camping can be found at the Stanislaus National Forest- Camping website.

Etymology

Arnot Peak is named after Nathaniel D. Arnot, the first superior court judge of Alpine County.

Plaque dedicated to Nathaniel D. Arnot.

Weather

Images

View Arnot Peak Image Gallery - 3 Images