What's California's easiest 14,000-footer? Try White Mountain Peak

Sunset, Sept, 1989

Only 250 feet lower than Mount Whitney, White Mountain Peak is the easiest and least crowded of California's three high-altitude climbs (Mount Shasta is the third). You can drive well above 11,000 feet before beginning the hike to the 14,246-foot summit.

Most of the hike is on gently graded old roadbed. The out-and-back trip totals 15 miles-a vigorous day trek for hikers in good shape. Convenient bases for the outing include campgrounds in Inyo National Forest and along U.S. 395.

The White Mountains stand in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada just 20 miles west. Annual snowfall is measured in inches here; there are no lakes, few streams. Crisp and cool, the dry alpine desert harbors only tenacious forms of life, such as the bristlecone pines.

Starting out

Fill up your gas tank and water bottles in Big Pine (the last services). From U.S. 395, turn east onto State Highway 168 (Westgard Pass Road). In 2 miles, stay

left at the junction with Eureka Valley Road; turn left again in I I miles on the signed road to the bristlecones.

You'll pass Grandview Campground in another 5 miles; enter the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (a special protection zone) in another 2 miles, and pass Schulman Grove 2 miles later.

Pavement ends at Schulman Grove, 23 miles from Big Pine, 12 miles from the State 168 turnoff. Continue about 16 miles to a gate signed "White Mountain Scientific Area"; park here.

Getting to the top

Begin walking on the road just beyond the gate. In about 2 miles, it crosses the University of California's Barcroft Laboratory property and gets rougher for the 51/2 miles to the summit; allow 4 to 6 hours for one way.

Ahead, you can see the lab's observatory. Follow the track onto a westward-tilting plateau, where jack rabbits and marmots scamper among the smooth white dolomite rocks.

At the notch under the peak, take the series of switchbacks up the talus slope; you'll pass patches of snow here and there. At a locked building on the summit, you can walk around for top-of-the-world views of Mono Lake, the northern Owens Valley, and the Sierra.

Even in mild weather, be sure to dress warmly and bring gloves. Carry food and water there's no water along the way-and take time (at least a day) to get acclimated before you start out.

Some people believe altitude sickness may be avoided by climbing slowly, eating and drinking sufficiently, and keeping a balance of sugar and salt in your food. But if you feel faint or nauseated, the only sure cure is a quick descent.