Leviathan Peak

Place Name: Alpine County
Place Description: State: California
Date: 07/02/2019
Elevation: 8,960 Feet
Prominence: 1,080 Feet
Miles: 0.6
Elevation Gain: 141 Feet
Lists: None
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Difficulty
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Solitude
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Kid Friendly
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Summit Views
A Simple P1K
Leviathan Peak offers the hiker a quick little trail to stretch their legs on Monitor Pass. You can drive up the summit road to a locked gate a bout 0.3 miles from the summit. If prominence is your jam, the 1,080 feet for 10 minutes of work is a generous trade off.
Overall
3Pros
- Great 360 degree views
- Easy drive up road
- Simple P1K
Cons
- Radio tower on summit
- Narrow spot to turnaround at gate
- Windy summit
I was headed over the to the Eastern Sierras for a family getaway and was looking for an easy peak on the way. I’ve been over Monitor Pass 100 times, but have never climbed anything here. Saw this nice P1K with minimal effort to tag. The drive up the dirt road was easy in my Tacoma and any high clearance vehicle is fine. Might not even need high clearance. The turnaround at the gate is narrow, but easily turned the truck there with a 3-point turn. If one wanted a little bit more of workout, you could park at the turnoff from Monitor Pass and walk the road up from 8,241 feet, giving you a 719 foot climb.
10 minute walk up to the summit block near the lookout. The views are amazing minus the building. Fantastic views of Ebbett’s Pass down to Sonora Pass. The Sweetwater Range to the east and to the west you get Round Top, Hawkins, Red Lake, Stevens, the Freel Triple, and through a slight split in the mountains can see Pyramid Peak and the Crystal Range. Very nice 30-minute detour and a great peak to add to my ascents.