SONORA PEAK (11,462') CLASS 1-2

Location: 2 miles N of Sonora Pass

ROUTE A
Drive: Take Highway 108 to Sonora Pass Trailhead, which is 0.2 mile west from the sign marking Sonora Pass. There is plenty of paved parking, but no camping is allowed.
Climb: Take the trail to the right of the restroom and past a sign "Carson-Iceberg Wilderness." This trail is also marked "PCT." After small ups-and-downs traversing several gullies, the trail takes a long switchback right to a small saddle. A 10 foot high, rocky bump sits here, to the right (south). From here, a steep use trail leaves the PCT going left (north) and up, just past a thicket of scrubby pines. Staying slightly to the left of the ridge, pass some crags, following a pronounced use trail. Nearing the summit past all the crags, follow the class 1 east ridgeline, or use trail, to the highpoint.
As an alternate, the top can be reached from the other side (see Stanislaus Peak, Route A, Climb), hiking up from St. Mary's Pass. This route has a somewhat gentler gradient.

WINTER SKI ASCENT: See Stanislaus Peak, Winter Ski Ascent.

TRIP STATS: Route A, 1,900 feet gain with 50-100 feet additional gain on the return, 3 miles one way.

Notes: Sonora Peak is the highest point of Alpine County, and is one of the easiest, higher elevation peaks to climb. The trailhead is 9,690 feet elevation. The great view makes this a good introductory peak for the High Sierra to the south.

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