Sawtooth Peak

Sawtooth Peak is a jagged mountain rising to a height of 12,343 feet (3,762 m).[1] It is a landmark of the Mineral King region of the Sierra Nevada, in Sequoia National Park. In the past, it was known as Miner's Peak.[6] It contains a supply of gold and mercury.

Sawtooth Peak
Sawtooth Peak's west face over the Mineral King Valley, September 2005
Highest point
Elevation12,348 ft (3,764 m)  NAVD 88[1]
Prominence663 ft (202 m) [1]
Parent peakNeedham Mountain[2]
ListingSierra Peaks Section[3]
Coordinates36°27′19″N 118°33′18″W [4]
Geography
Sawtooth Peak
Location of Sawtooth Peak in California
Sawtooth Peak
Sawtooth Peak (the United States)
LocationSequoia National Park, Tulare County, California, U.S.
Topo mapUSGS Mineral King
Geology
Mountain typeGranite
Climbing
First ascent1871 Joseph Lovelace[5]
Easiest routeScramble, class 2[3]

Hiking

The trailhead up to Sawtooth Peak starts in Mineral King, 23 miles off of the 198 on Mineral King Road. The trailhead is located at the end of Mineral King Road in a parking lot/staging area. The trail up to the peak is 11.5 miles round trip and is rated difficult. The last half-mile of the trail is mainly loose gravel and steep switchbacks. The base of the trail is at 7800 Ft elevation and climbs up to 12,400 Ft at the top of the pass. Hiking is recommended from May to October. Permits are required for overnight stay.

Climbing

The easiest approach is from the valley to Sawtooth Pass, and then up the northwest slope of the peak.[5] It was first climbed by Joseph Lovelace during a deer hunt in 1871.[6]

Today, this approach follows an established trail to Sawtooth Pass, then continues on a cross-country route to the peak. The section of trail from Monarch Lakes to Sawtooth Pass is steep and marred by granite sand, and as such is prone to erosion. The trailhead, shared with the Timber Gap trail, is located in the Mineral King Valley, about 1/2 mile (0.80 km) uphill from the Ranger Station. It starts at 7,500 feet (2,300 m), is approximately 7 miles (10 km) round trip, and the route reaches a final elevation of 12,343 feet (3,762 m) at the peak.

References
  1. "Sawtooth Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  2. "Sawtooth Peak". ListsOfJohn.com. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  3. "Sierra Peaks Section List" (PDF). Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  4. "Sawtooth Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  5. Secor, R.J. (2009). The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, and Trails (3rd ed.). Seattle: The Mountaineers. p. 101. ISBN 9780898869712.
  6. Farquhar, Francis P. (1926). Place Names of the High Sierra. San Francisco: Sierra Club. Retrieved 2007-08-09.


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