With its beauty and diversity, Northern California is inviting any time of the year, but with spring here and summer on its way, the allure of nature becomes irresistible. The state offers some incredible scenery, from the biggest beaches in the nation, rocky coasts, deserts, lakes, and mountain ranges throughout the state. But if you live in northern California or vacation there and find yourself heading out with the intention of seeing some of the state’s greatest spectacles, you’re more than likely going to find yourself on some part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Here are five mountain peaks scattered around the Sierra Nevada mountains that are not only spectacular in their own rights, but are even most notable for the surrounding vistas which they offer as rewards along the way, and more certainly from their summits. All are day hikes, though it must be said that for a place like Mt. Whitney, that “day” is a long one in order to summit. But as with all of these, you can take on as much, or as little, as is suitable for your interests.
Mount Whitney
At nearly 14, 500 feet, this is the highest elevation in the contiguous United States. The trail to the summit is eleven miles long and climbs more than 6,000 vertical feet. Accordingly, there are plenty of places along the way where on a clear day you’ll have plenty of unparalleled vistas from which to choose. But if you only wish for a view from the summit, you’ll need to begin before well before dawn in order to return before sunset.
Half Dome
This of course is one of the iconic sightseeing attractions that most have seen from taking Yosemite tours, but why not get a different perspective on Yosemite Valley by enjoying the views from hiking up the famous rock? We’re not referring to the rock’s face, but the gradual incline of the back of the rock where no equipment is required and the only steep portion or barren rock has fixed guide cables to aid this during brief section before the summit. The trail is just over eight miles long with a rise of about 4,900 feet.
Mount Tallac
This peak resides on the California side around Lake Tahoe and many assume that it is the area’s highest, but technically, at just over 9,700 feet, it doesn’t measure up as such. If you begin your hike from Fallen Leaf Lake, the hike is just four and a half miles up to the summit. The reward is the view of the surrounding Desolation Wilderness, and of course, the deep blue of beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Mount Lassen
This is the nearly 10,500 foot peak in the Lassen Volcanic National Park which was last active in the early twentieth century. Though the peak is one of only a handful in the state at more than ten thousand feet, it can be hiked easily as road access runs up past eight thousand feet, leaving only about two thousand feet of hiking required on a well managed, low grade trail. John Muir hiked here long before his fame grew surrounding Yosemite and Yosemite tours and Muir Woods tours became popular as a result of his conservation efforts. You can find his writing surrounding Mount Lassen in his book, “Mountains of California” where he suggests, "Miles of its flanks are reeking and bubbling with hot springs, many of them so boisterous and sulphurous, they seem ever ready to become spouting geysers..."
Mount Dana
Coming in at only about 1,400 feet shy of Mt. Whitney’s elevation, the 13,000 foot peak at Mount Dana offers a more accessible summit. If you approach the mountain from the trail at the Tioga Pass entrance station, the trail will be but three miles and 3,100 vertical feet and yet offers some of the most spectacular views available looking out at the eastern half of Yosemite National Park, and the high salt content Lake Mono.
