Typically done as an incredible 3-day weekend adventure of car camping and a rigorous ~16 mile day hike above 12,000'.

White Mountain is the 3rd highest peak in California at 14,252', and the fourteenth highest peak in the continguous US. Your troop will really feel like they're on an adventure. While the Sierra range to the west draws large crowds of hikers, the White Mountain range is relatively empty, with huge vistas in all directions. In addition, the White Mountains contain the Ancient Bristlecone Forest, groves of ancient trees that exceed 4,000 years of age and still going. A truly spectacular, and remote environment in which to have an adventure.

We recommend this trek be done over a 3-day weekend, with car camping on nights 1 and 2 at increasing altitudes, to maximize everyone's ability to complete the peak-bag day hike on day 3. Symptoms for altitude sickness should be monitored for everyone.

There are many ways to do this trip, but here is one recommended approach:

Day 1 - Drive to Cedar Grove Group Camp, reserving a spot ahead of time through recreation.gov. Fire pits, picnic tables, and awning structures are available for a great troop cookout. Bring your own water. Start acclimating at ~7,800'.

Day 2 - Casual day to continue acclimating to the elevation. Break camp and head "up" White Mountain road. Along the way, stop at Schulman Grove to visit the ranger station, learn about the 4,000 year old trees surrounding you, and do a light day hike through the grove. Other day hike opportunities are all around. Consider visiting the University of California White Mountain Research Station at Crooked Creek. You can view their website at https://www.wmrc.edu/crooked-creek-station/. Call ahead to see if they'll have any staff on site, but when they do a troop can often get a tour of the facilities. Finally, end the day by driving up to the gate to the Barcroft Lab (11,800'). This is where groups of day hikers typically park and setup a mini-trail camp of sorts, stretched along a scenic dirt road with expansive views. This location is other-worldly. No fires are allowed up here, so plan on using car camping stoves. The forest service does support a lone valut toilet at this location. If the night is clear, you will experience a dark-sky milky way event of a lifetime! Consider bringing a tripod based telescope or two in your 4x4 ... and enjoy the night photography.

Day 3 - Day hike time. Start early in the morning to give yoruself the most amount of time. It's highly likely that at least 1 person in your troop, maybe more, will be slow in the altitude.

The hike itself starts at ~11,800' outside the entrance gate and is about 15-16 miles round trip, with roughly +3,500' of elevation gain. One of the more amazing aspects of this trek is you will see nearly the entire route laid out in front of you at all times. The entire hike is above treeline, and the path to the mountain is super clear.

(NOTE: Technically, you are allowed to ride mountain bikes on the dirt road / trail all the way to the peak. My son and I tried it one year. We made it about 1/3 of the way up and then ditched our bikes behind some rocks to get to the summit on foot. I've seen people climb all the way to the top, but personally found the frequent craggy rocks a bit too much to conquer. Maybe it was the rocks. Maybe it was the altititude. Maybe it was my own lack of skill. Regardless, give it a shot if it sounds interesting, and plan accordingly.)

(NOTE: White Mountain road, once it turns to dirt, requires a high clearance 4x4 vehicle. The road is reasonably maintained, but it is also famous for flat tires. Bring a spare!)

Going Big

White Mountain

Telescope Peak