It’s not the highest peak in the Sierra but when it comes to vistas Sonora Peak is arguably without peers in the Sierra when it comes to accessibility.
The 360-degree view from its 11,459-foot summit is worth every step of the short but semi-strenuous 5-mile round trip from the St. Mary’s
The fairly easy to follow trail, the short distance in terms of Sierra peak hiking, and the rewards once you reach the summit make it a popular pick for hikers of all abilities including neophyte peak baggers.
Some have described the Sonora Pass hiking area as Yosemite-like. Although there is some resemblance to the Yosemite High Country, Sonora Pass is a different cat. It also has less people — a lot less people.
On my last trip up Sonora Peak on Sept. 10, I encountered no one on the way up.
It wasn’t until I was halfway across the plateau that serves as a massive snow field on the way down that I encountered the first hikers. There were two others by the time I got back to the car — a pleasant 68-year-old lady I chatted with just a quarter mile down the St. Mary’s Pass that’s at 10,100 feet and a hunter who was doing an overnight backpack trip that had just departed the parking area as I neared it.
As for those that peaked that day, there was one person before me — a hiker who signed the summit registry as a member of the Army Special Forces.
While it is fun to read the entries in the summit registry and get tidbits of observations about life or the hike, the soldier’s entry served as a reminder that to the east from Sonora Peak is the Marine Corps mountain training facility. Occasionally hiking the Pacific Crest Trail that provides an eastern approach to Sonora Peak, you can hear the sounds of Marines training if the wind is right.
As an aside the Pacific Crest Trail from Sonora Pass proper is less strenuous for an out-and-back hike and has its share of stunning views, but ascending Sonora Peak from this route is more of a challenge.
Finding the St. Mary’s Pass Trailhead can be a slight challenge as the short dirt driveway to the parking area isn’t marked. Heading up from
There is about 2,000 feet of net elevation gain on the hike. The mile to the pass is do-able for most folks. The lady I referenced earlier was taken frequent breaks. There’ plenty of excuses for doing that considering the scenery you can photograph.
Once at the pass, you take a hard right to the trail that climbs to the east. This will lead you along a ridge where you round a corner and Sonora Peak will loom on the horizon. It’s here that you will depart the trail and head toward the peak. There is an obvious trail going up the mountain to your left beyond the slopping plateau. You can look for cairns (stacked rocks others have placed to serve as a trailer marker) to guide you the shortest distance. The trail picks up again as you near the most strenuous part of the climb.
There is scree or loose rocks and such on a fairly steep incline on parts of the final ascent. This is where hiking poles come in handy although it can be conquered without them.
Once you summit, you might be tempted to head down the eastern slope to the Pacific Crest Trail and head back to the pass and then walk 0.8 miles along Highway108 to your vehicle.’
But be warned: The trip down on that side is a bit steeper. Besides there’s something rewarding about descending the same way you came up and taking in what some have called “the 100-mile view.”
This is also ideal weather especially for those tackling a peak for the first time. The sun isn’t brutal, you’re not going to freeze, the weather is usually pleasant, and winter has yet to arrive.
There is still a smattering of wildflowers that give you an extremely small glimpse of what the hike scenery looks like in mid- to late- spring. This region of the Sierra is considered second to none with its abundance of spring wildflowers.
The hike is do-able in rugged workout shoes although hiking boots are best. Use sunscreen and preferably a hat. Take plenty of water and let someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back.
Sonora Peak is the highest point in Alpine County.
It is unique in that it drains into five water basins — Deadman Creek, Sardine Creek, Wolf Creek, East Fork Carson River, and the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River.
