Crag Peak

Overview

Crag Peak is just north of Kennedy Meadows in the Southern Sierra and is part of the Sequoia National Forest.  From the summit, the 360 degree view includes Olancha Peak, Mt. Langley, Kern Peak, and the Kaweah Group to the north, Smith Mountain and Finger Rock to the west, Owens Peak to the south, and Clover Meadow to the east.

The standard route is from the south via the Pacific Crest Trail beginning at Kennedy Meadows Campground, then leaving the PCT and heading west cross country to the summit.  This route is Class 3 near the summit, but the vast majority of the route is Class 1 & 2.  Other routes to the summit can be found from the west.

In conjunction with a climb of Crag Peak, one could also climb Smith Mountain and other peaks in that vicinity.

Crag Peak is included on the Sierra Club’s Sierra Peaks Section list.

Looking NW to Kern Peak and the Kaweahs.

Crag Peak summit block as seen from the north.

Looking north to Olancha Peak

Getting There

The standard route starting at Kennedy Meadows Campground is accessed by a 26 mile drive on a paved road from Hwy. 395.  From Hwy. 395, turn west on Kennedy Meadows Road (aka Nine Mile Canyon Road) and drive 23.6 miles to a fork at the Kennedy Meadows General Store.  Bear right here (continuing on Kennedy Meadows Road) and follow the road to its end another 2.7 miles to the Kennedy Meadows Campground.

The road to the Kennedy Meadows Campground is open year round.  However, if you plan on climbing other peaks in the area (or non-standard routes to Crag Peak), note that the Sherman Pass Road (aka Beach Meadow Road) that goes west at the Kennedy Meadows General Store is not open year round. 

True Summit

The highest point along the Crag Peak ridge is not the “Crag Peak” labeled on the topographic map.  Rather, it is a point located approximately ¼ mile to the north.

Red Tape

Crag Peak is located in the Sequoia National Forest.  No permits are required to dayhike the peak, however permits to camp overnight in the backcountry are required year round (there are no quotas in the area).

When to Climb

Since the road to the Kennedy Meadows Campground is open year round, the peak can be climbed anytime.  However, climbing the peak without snow is typically done May – October and is when the peak sees the majority of its ascents.

Camping