California · Mountaineering

Thunderbolt Peak

Route to the summit of Thunderbolt Peak (14,003 ft) from Big Pine Creek Trailhead.

18.1 mi
round trip: 6,888 ft
climb: 14,003 ft
summit: Out and back
route

Is Thunderbolt Peak open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Inyo National Forest.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect
Agency alert covering Inyo National Forest · Order 05-04-50-26-23 · USFS · Inyo National Forest
Help Halt Golden Mussel Invasion
Agency alert covering Inyo National Forest · USFS · Inyo National Forest
Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Campfire Restrictions
Agency alert covering Inyo National Forest · Order 05-04-50-25-04 · USFS · Inyo National Forest
Golden Trout and Hoover Wilderness Campfire Restrictions
Agency alert covering Inyo National Forest · Order 05-04-50-25-05 · USFS · Inyo National Forest

As of Oct 24, 8:35 pm PDT · Source: USFS · Inyo National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Thunderbolt Peak rises to 14,003 ft in California. This route starts at Big Pine Creek Trailhead and covers 18.1 miles round trip with about 6,888 ft of climbing. The mapped trail ends 0.9 miles and about 1,643 ft short of the summit; the final stretch is off-trail with no mapped path and needs route-finding.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

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Photo: Justin.Johnsen (talk · contribs) (Justin at Flickr), CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

SOUTH FORK BIG PINE CREEK

~0 min drive

First Falls

~1 min drive

Photo: Justin.Johnsen (Justin at Flickr), CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Temple Crag

~5 min drive

Baker Creek Trail

~6 min drive

Route details

Distance: 18.1 mi round trip
Climbing: About 6,888 ft
Starts at: Big Pine Creek Trailhead
Summit: 13,978 ft
Difficulty: Expert

Questions about this route

How long is the Thunderbolt Peak on Thunderbolt Peak?

About 18.1 mi round trip from Big Pine Creek Trailhead.

How much elevation gain is on the Thunderbolt Peak?

About 6,888 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Thunderbolt Peak?

It is rated expert.

Where does the Thunderbolt Peak start?

Big Pine Creek Trailhead.

Conditions and forecast on Thunderbolt Peak

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.