In the 48 continuous United States, there are 67 peaks taller than 14,000 ft. Scattered across Colorado, California, and Wyoming, they are the tallest mountains in the lower 48 states and are growing in popularity among hikers and climbers due to their small number, towering heights, and mix of challenges.
Many of these peaks, like Mount Whitney and Mount Elbert, can be hiked when the snow melts each summer. Other mountains, like Mount Rainer and Mount Shasta, require mountaineering gear and skills to safely ascend. The majority involve a mix of hiking, scrambling, or simple climbing accessible to anyone with a bit of patience and practice. This diversity adds to their mystique and the appeal to climb them all.
In this article, I’ve shared a complete list of all the tallest mountains in the contiguous United States above 14,000 feet with information on their geology, climbing difficulty, and more.
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About Those Alaska Fourteeners...
While there are 29 fourteeners in Alaska, they all require advanced climbing skills and special gear to survive bitter arctic cold. For example, the tallest 14er in the United States is Denali (pictured above). Its summit at 20,310 ft, one of the Seven Summits, experiences a wind chill as cold as -59 degrees Fahrenheit even in July.
Due to these extreme challenges, most of the Alaska 14ers are rarely climbed and are cost-prohibitive to all but the most committed peak-baggers. Only a few people have climbed all the 14ers in the entire United States, and the list is not a common objective for people to complete.
Instead, many focus on climbing the tallest 67 mountains in the lower 48 states, which are all a. In this article, I share a list of the 14ers in the contiguous United States, starting with the tallest (Mt Whitney) and finishing with the shortest (Sunshine Peak).
Remember to Leave No Trace Outdoors!
While the mountains appear mighty, their ecosystems are actually very fragile. Tread lightly, stay the trail, give wildlife space, and pack out your trash and waste. Leave no trace and help protect the peaks for future generations. Learn more in our complete 14er Leave No Trace guide with helpful tips and advice on this topic.
What is a 14er?
There is significant debate over the number of 14ers that exist, primarily due to differences in how we define a 14er vs a sub-peak. Some use specific elevation/prominence guidelines, while others use lists based in tradition and history. Generally, the most widespread perspective applies the 300 ft prominence rule, which is what most mountain rankings use.
The 300 ft Prominence Rule
The 300-foot prominence rule, like many mountaineering criteria, evolved from the need to standardize what constitutes a distinct peak. This need arises in the context of peak bagging, where climbers aim to ascend a collection of peaks defined by certain criteria, such as elevation or geographical location. The rule is part of a broader effort to classify mountains in a way that is both meaningful and practical for climbers, geographers, and enthusiasts.
That is the standard we apply, resulting in a list of 67 peaks according to numerous sources (see our additional reading section for more links and info).
Why 300 ft?
The 300-foot prominence rule is a compromise that balances the desire to include only significant peaks with the practicalities of measuring and comparing topographic features. The choice of 300 feet (approximately 91.44 meters) is somewhat arbitrary, but it serves as a practical threshold that distinguishes major peaks from lesser ones, without being overly restrictive or too lenient.
How We Measure the Tallest Mountains: Elevation, Isolation, & Prominence
Prominence is one of three metrics are helpful for understanding a mountain’s character and how it compares to others on the list or those you have visited.
Here is some background on what each of the metrics measure and how to interpret them in the list further below.
1. Elevation
The height of a point above a specific reference level, usually sea level. For mountains, it measures the height of the peak’s summit above sea level. Elevation is a fundamental metric used to compare the heights of different mountains and is often used to classify mountains (e.g., 14ers in Colorado are peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation).
2. Isolation
Refers to the distance from the summit of a mountain to the nearest point of equal elevation. It gives an idea of how “standalone” a peak is from others. A peak with a large isolation value is often the most prominent peak in its area, offering unique views and possibly being a significant navigational landmark. Isolation can highlight a mountain’s dominance in its surroundings.
3. Prominence
Measures how much a mountain stands out from its surrounding terrain. It’s defined as the elevation of the peak’s summit above the lowest contour line that encircles it and no higher summit. In simpler terms, it’s the minimum vertical drop one must descend before climbing to a higher peak.
List of the Tallest Mountains in the Lower 48 States (The 67 Contiguous United States 14ers)
In the table below are all 67 fourteeners in the contiguous United States with at least 300 ft of prominence. The list includes each peak’s rank, elevation, isolation, and prominence, along with the state and range where they are located.
| Rank | Peak | Difficulty | Elevation (ft) | Isolation (mi) | Prominence (ft) | State | Range |
| 1 | Mount Whitney | Class 1 | 14497 ft | 1647 mi | 10080 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 2 | Mount Elbert | Class 1 | 14433 ft | 670.0 mi | 9093 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 3 | Mount Massive | Class 2 | 14421 ft | 5.1 mi | 1961 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 4 | Mount Harvard | Class 2 | 14420 ft | 15.0 mi | 2360 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 5 | Mt. Rainier | Snow Climb | 14411 ft | 731 mi | 13211 ft | WA | Cascades |
| 6 | Mount Williamson | Class 3 | 14375 ft | 5.5 mi | 1678 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 7 | Blanca Peak | Class 2 | 14345 ft | 103.6 mi | 5326 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 8 | La Plata Peak | Class 2 | 14336 ft | 6.3 mi | 1336 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 9 | Uncompahgre Peak | Class 2 | 14309 ft | 85.2 mi | 4249 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 10 | Crestone Peak | Class 3 | 14294 ft | 27.5 mi | 4554 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 11 | Mount Lincoln | Class 2 | 14286 ft | 22.6 mi | 3866 ft | CO | Mosquito |
| 12 | Grays Peak | Class 1 | 14270 ft | 25.0 mi | 2770 ft | CO | Front |
| 13 | Mount Antero | Class 2 | 14269 ft | 17.8 mi | 2503 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 14 | Torreys Peak | Class 2 | 14267 ft | 0.6 mi | 560 ft | CO | Front |
| 15 | Castle Peak | Class 2 | 14265 ft | 20.9 mi | 2337 ft | CO | Elk |
| 15 | Quandary Peak | Class 1 | 14265 ft | 3.2 mi | 1125 ft | CO | Tenmile |
| 17 | Mount Blue Sky | Class 2 | 14264 ft | 9.8 mi | 2764 ft | CO | Front |
| 18 | White Mountain Peak | Class 1 | 14256 ft | 67.5 mi | 7206 ft | CA | Trans Sierra |
| 19 | Longs Peak | Class 3 | 14255 ft | 43.7 mi | 2955 ft | CO | Front |
| 20 | Mount Wilson | Class 4 | 14246 ft | 33.0 mi | 4026 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 21 | North Palisade | Class 4 | 14242 ft | 39.8 mi | 2894 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 22 | Mount Shavano | Class 2 | 14229 ft | 3.8 mi | 1619 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 23 | Mount Princeton | Class 2 | 14197 ft | 5.2 mi | 2177 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 23 | Mount Belford | Class 2 | 14197 ft | 3.3 mi | 1337 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 23 | Crestone Needle | Class 3 | 14197 ft | 0.5 mi | 457 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 26 | Mount Yale | Class 2 | 14196 ft | 5.6 mi | 1896 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 27 | Mount Bross | Class 2 | 14172 ft | 1.1 mi | 312 ft | CO | Mosquito |
| 28 | Kit Carson Peak | Class 3 | 14165 ft | 1.3 mi | 1025 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 29 | Mount Shasta | Snow Climb | 14162 ft | 357.1 mi | 9822 ft | CA | Cascades |
| 30 | Maroon Peak | Class 3 | 14156 ft | 8.1 mi | 2336 ft | CO | Elk |
| 31 | Tabeguache Peak | Class 2 | 14155 ft | 0.8 mi | 455 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 32 | Mount Oxford | Class 2 | 14153 ft | 1.2 mi | 653 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 33 | Mount Sill | Class 2/3 | 14153 ft | 0.6 mi | 413 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 34 | Mount Sneffels | Class 3 | 14150 ft | 15.7 mi | 3050 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 35 | Mount Democrat | Class 2 | 14148 ft | 1.7 mi | 768 ft | CO | Mosquito |
| 36 | Capitol Peak | Class 4 | 14130 ft | 7.5 mi | 1750 ft | CO | Elk |
| 37 | Liberty Cap | Snow Climb | 14112 ft | 1.0 mi | 492 ft | WA | Cascades |
| 38 | Pikes Peak | Class 1 | 14110 ft | 60.9 mi | 5530 ft | CO | Front |
| 39 | Snowmass Mountain | Class 3 | 14092 ft | 2.3 mi | 1152 ft | CO | Elk |
| 40 | Mount Russell | Class 3 | 14088 ft | 0.8 mi | 1129 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 41 | Mount Eolus | Class 3 | 14083 ft | 25.2 mi | 2183 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 42 | Windom Peak | Class 2 | 14082 ft | 1.7 mi | 1022 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 43 | Challenger Point | Class 2 | 14081 ft | 0.2 mi | 301 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 44 | Mount Columbia | Class 2 | 14073 ft | 1.9 mi | 893 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 45 | Missouri Mountain | Class 2 | 14067 ft | 1.3 mi | 847 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 46 | Humboldt Peak | Class 2 | 14064 ft | 1.4 mi | 1204 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 47 | Mount Bierstadt | Class 2 | 14060 ft | 1.4 mi | 720 ft | CO | Front |
| 48 | Sunlight Peak | Class 4 | 14059 ft | 0.5 mi | 399 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 49 | Split Mountain | Class 2 | 14058 ft | 25.9 mi | 1525 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 50 | Handies Peak | Class 1 | 14048 ft | 11.2 mi | 1908 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 51 | Culebra Peak | Class 2 | 14047 ft | 35.6 mi | 4827 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 52 | Mount Lindsey | Class 3 | 14042 ft | 2.3 mi | 1542 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 52 | Ellingwood Point | Class 2 | 14042 ft | 0.5 mi | 342 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 54 | Little Bear Peak | Class 4 | 14037 ft | 1.0 mi | 377 ft | CO | Sangre de Cristo |
| 55 | Mount Sherman | Class 2 | 14036 ft | 8.1 mi | 896 ft | CO | Mosquito |
| 56 | Redcloud Peak | Class 2 | 14034 ft | 4.9 mi | 1454 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 57 | Mount Langley | Class 2 | 14026 ft | 4.8 mi | 1197 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 58 | Pyramid Peak | Class 4 | 14018 ft | 2.1 mi | 1518 ft | CO | Elk |
| 58 | Mount Tyndall | Class 2 | 14018 ft | 1.4 mi | 1125 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 60 | Wilson Peak | Class 3 | 14017 ft | 1.5 mi | 877 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 61 | Wetterhorn Peak | Class 3 | 14015 ft | 2.8 mi | 1635 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 62 | San Luis Peak | Class 1 | 14014 ft | 26.9 mi | 3114 ft | CO | San Juan |
| 63 | Middle Palisade | Class 3 | 14012 ft | 4.3 mi | 1085 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 63 | Mount Muir | Class 3 | 14012 ft | 1.0 mi | 331 ft | CA | Sierra |
| 65 | Mount of the Holy Cross | Class 2 | 14005 ft | 19.3 mi | 2105 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 66 | Huron Peak | Class 2 | 14003 ft | 3.2 mi | 1503 ft | CO | Sawatch |
| 67 | Sunshine Peak | Class 2 | 14001 ft | 1.3 mi | 501 ft | CO | San Juan |
The Tallest Mountains of the Lower 48 States Are Hazardous!
These mountains are perilous and have claimed many lives on their slopes and summits. From avalanches and rockslides to lightning storms and blizzards, hazards are everywhere and require careful risk management to stay safe and get home in one piece. Here are some important best practices to remember if you climb any of the 14ers in the lower 48 states:
- Pick An Appropriate Peak: Many peaks are hikes, but many require advanced gear or skill. Pick a 14er and route appropriate for your level of skill and experience.
- Do Your Research: Look at the route map and photos in detail before you go. Check the weather and avalanche forecast in the days leading up to your trip and plan accordingly.
- Bring the 10 Essentials: These are the key pieces of gear and equipment that help you respond to emergencies and survive an unplanned night outdoors in the mountains.
- Make a Plan and Share It: Write down your itinerary, vehicle info, and objectives, and leave them with a trusted contact back home with a planned time to check back in with them.
- Know Your Limits: If you are running behind, exceeding your comfort level or abilities, respect the mountains and turn back. The mountains will be there to climb another day.
- Bring a Partner (or Guide): Going alone significantly increases your level of risk. Bring 1-2 partners when possible or consider hiring a guide for technical and high-risk terrain.
- Consider Altitude Sickness: Take time to acclimatize before your climb and reduce your risk of AMS, especially if you are coming from low elevation or sea level. Know the symptoms and descend if they appear and get worse.
Learn more about the mountains and how to get home alive with our comprehensive mountain safety guide. You can also purchase a COSAR Card to support volunteer search and rescue teams around the state.
NOTE: The climbing class ratings for California 14ers are considered to under-rate difficulty compared to Colorado ratings. For example, a class 3 California fourteener should be considered more like an easy class 4 Colorado fourteener. Keep this mind when making comparisons and selecting peaks and routes.
Which 14ers Are Best for Beginners?
If you are new to peak bagging and want to tackle one of these 14ers, you have a lot of excellent options to choose from. However, there are also a lot of difficult and dangerous peaks you want to avoid until you have more experience and skill.
Here are recommendations on which of the tallest mountains in the lower 48 states are best to climb, based on your location.
Easy Colorado 14ers
The best 14ers for beginners are all in Colorado, where your options include Mt Bierstadt, Grays Peak, and Torreys Peak near Denver, Handies Peak in the San Juans, Quandary Peak and Mount Sherman near Breckenridge, and Mount Elbert near Vail.
Easy California 14ers
In California, the easiest 14er is White Mountain Peak. The 15-mile route is long but is a hike along a well-maintained road leading to the summit.
Easy Washington 14ers
Those in Washington only have Mount Rainier and Liberty Cap, which are only recommended for experienced mountaineers with technical skills, gear, and experience. Your best option is to visit California or Colorado to get started.
How to Climb Your First Fourteener
To learn what you need to know for your first fourteener, check out my ultimate beginner’s guide. It has everything you need to learn, from picking a peak to packing, wilderness survival, Leave No Trace tips, and more.
Check it out here and start planning your next summit.
How did the 14ers in the lower 48 states form?
The geology of the 14ers in the lower 48 states of the United States is as diverse as the landscapes in which they are found. These mountains are part of various geological provinces, including the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade Range, each with unique geological histories and formations.
Understanding the geology of these areas provides insight into the natural forces that have shaped the Earth’s surface over millions of years.
