These 10 easiest mountains to climb in USA should be a part of every mountain climbing beginner’s guide! If you’re thinking how to start mountain climbing and wondering which mountain is the easiest to climb, breathe a sigh of relief because we’ve got the answer you’ve been looking for.
What is it that drives people to climb mountains anyway? Is it a sense of adventure, or love for nature? Perhaps a bit of both? It seems there is a bit of an explorer in each of us thinking about mountain climbing. A trail takes you places with breath-taking views, lush nature and an occasional glimpse of a squirrel or a deer. Then there’s the pride you feel once you reach your destination after a tiring, but pleasant climb. Don’t worry about the equipment here. For most of these beauties, you’ll need nothing more than a pair of good walking boots, a stick, and some endurance. They’re just perfect for non technical mountain climbs. That means a climbing process is defined rather as hiking to the top.
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What are the best mountains to climb? We would dare to say they’re the ones that match your strength and aspirations. There are plenty of wonderful views and treks out there, and different people have different preferences. Some like it rocky and steep, while others prefer greenery and streams. Some like it hot, while others like snow covered peaks. It’s usually hard to find an easy mountain to climb in early spring due to snow and ice, but maybe the best mountains to climb in March are Mount Everest and Ojos del Salado (Chile and Argentina) if you’re an experienced climber, of course. Actually, Mt Everest is one of the most crowded and most dangerous mountains in the world. As for what is the least climbed mountain, that’s probably a mountain in Bhutan. From 2014 Gangkhar Puensum was back on the list of prohibited mountains. Partially because it’s on the border with China, and partially because of the spiritual beliefs of the Bhutanese. A forbidden fruit for mountain climbers.
But let’s discuss now how we constructed our list. It seems there is no unanimous opinion on which US mountains are easiest to climb, i.e., different sources offer suggestions that don’t match. Therefore, the only thing to be done was to analyze the mountains recommended as easy or low intermediate mountains to climb. We checked the National Geographic, Atlas and Boots, Summit Post, The Guardian, and Men’s Fitness. Mount Whitney is usually listed as one of the best mountains to climb in the world for beginners, but we wouldn’t go there. You need at least two days to get to the peak, and it’s much more challenging than it seems at first sight. Also, the insanely popular Half Dome (there’s an application form lottery to get the permit) isn’t as easy as it sounds. It’s a granite rock in its essence, and you have to have a head for heights if you are to take on this challenge. The mountains on our list aren’t described as unsafe or demanding you have no issues with altitude. They’re ranked according to their height. You need to be moderately fit to conquer most of them. And who knows, perhaps some day you’ll be going to Pikes Peak to climb! This Colorado Springs mountain requires an exhausting three-day ascent. Even though its length is 13.5 miles, it actually feels like 20 miles due to the rough terrain.
If by any chance you are addicted to adrenaline and like adventure, read about 16 scariest, deadliest rivers in the world.
Finally, let’s go back to 10 easiest mountains to climb in USA for starters, and one day you could set off on a higher and riskier adventure. The list is random.
10. Mauna Kea
Location: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Elevation: 13,796 ft / 4,205 m
If you like having beaches in the nearby and combining highs with the lows, go to Mauna Kea. It’s the tallest Hawaiian mountain, but it’s not as difficult as it sounds. Rather than having one peak, we could say it has several tops. Humu’ula Trail is what we would recommend. This is more or less the highest mountain you can walk up.
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9. Wheeler Peak
Location: Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Elevation: 13,161 ft / 4,011 m
Despite the fact this is a “thirteener,” we firmly believe you’ll be able to make it to the top! There are two main trails to take, Bull-of-the-Woods Trail, and the Williams Lake Trail. The first one takes 16 miles, and the latter is only seven miles long but much easier. On the other hand, if you are one day good enough, you’ll enjoy the looks of twisted bristlecone pines, with some trees more than 3,000 years old, along with the traditional, longer route.
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8. Avalanche Peak
Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Elevation: 10,568 ft / 3,221 m
We are continuing our list of easiest mountains to climb in USA with Avalanche Peak which is situated on the eastern border, and it’s adjacent to Shoshone National Forest on the east. The peak belongs to the Absaroka Mountain Range. It is highly popular due to the constructed trail, and its relative easiness. It only takes around 4 hours to ascend and go down.
By the way, Yellowstone weather is highly unpredictable, but we can say that you can fully enjoy this route from late May or early June to October. If you hate snow, don’t bother going utill July.
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7. Lassen Peak
Location: Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Elevation: 10,457 ft / 3,187 m
Up next on our list of easiest mountains to climb in USA we have Lassen Peak that is visible from all the region, and it’s a sight to be seen indeed. This used to be a volcano once, and quite a special one. Nowadays it’s the largest plug-dome volcano in the world (one in which lava cooled and plugged the outlet vent), but you needn’t worry. All that happened hundreds of thousands of years ago. Since it’s one of the snowiest points in California, sometimes you won’t be able to climb it until July, but otherwise, Lassen Peak is highly accessible.
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6. Wildrose Peak
Location: Death Valley National Park, California
Elevation: 9,064 ft / 2,762 m
Wildrose Peak ranks 6th on our list of easiest mountains to climb in USA. It is on the very border with the Death Valley, but don’t let it intimidate you. You don’t have to go to extremes to get a good sneak peek at the valley. Instead of climbing Telescope Peak, opt for Wildrose and do the 4.2-mile trail (one-way). You’ll need around three hours for it. Plus, the peak is open all year round, though some small precautions are needed in summer and winter.
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5. Mount Scott
Location: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Elevation: 8,929 ft / 2,721 m
Another one on our list of easiest mountains to climb in USA easy to remember. Mount Scott is the park’s highest point and the perfect place to observe Crater Lake, a famous volcanic lake with its incredible deep-blue surface. Not only will you relish this view, but a long-distance vista takes in Mount Shasta, California and Mount Thielsen and the Three Sisters in Oregon. Lots of tourists from Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas choose to spend their weekend here, so why wouldn’t you?
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4. Guadalupe Mountain
Location: Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Elevation: 8,749 ft / 2,666 m
Should you wish to have a real good look at Texas, this is the place! Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in all the state, and it gives you a spectacular look on the grand plain. In the beginning, it may be a little steep to climb, but after the first 1.5 miles, you’ll be very satisfied. Be careful about afternoon monsoon storms in late summer.
Pixabay/ Public Domain
Up next on our list, we have top three easiest mountains to climb in USA.
3. Lookout Peak
Location: Kings Canyon National Park, California
Elevation: 8,531 ft / 2,600 m
There are different trails to take if this is the mountain of your choice. For instance, there’s a short hike to the 8,531-foot top from the Big Meadows Road in Sequoia National Forest, or you can take the Don Cecil Trail. You’ll climb up to 4,000 ft in only seven miles, and pass a gorgeous cascade on Sheep Creek along the way. When you reach the top, you will feel in awe looking at what is reportedly one of the best views in the combined Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
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2. Clingman’s Dome
Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Elevation: 6,643 ft / 2,024 m
On a clear day, you can see up to 100 miles. Isn’t that spectacular? No wonder Clingman’s Dome is most visited US State high-point in the most visited US National Park. There are lots of trails to pick, and actually, the easiest ones are the least popular, so perhaps this is the best place to check your stamina without possible dangers.
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1. Stony Man
Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Elevation: 4,011 feet / 1,222 m
This is one of 10 easiest mountains to climb in USA you’ll have no problem memorizing due to its funny name. And appearance, for that matter. Even though it’s not the highest peak, it’s only slightly smaller compared to Hawksbill. However, Stony Man will give you much better views of the area, i.e., the Shenandoah River and beyond to the mountains in George Washington National Forest. Even better, it takes only 40 minutes to reach the rocky top. How hard can it be?
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