Backpacker Magazine – Online Exclusive

Party Peaks

Ten perfect summits for your next group hike

by: Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan

Tags:
• Virginia
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• Oregon
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• Utah
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• California
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• Colorado
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• Wyoming
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• Washington
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• New Hampshire
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• New York
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When you're leading a bunch of buddies on a summit hike, you want a challenging trail with grandstand views–but without major hazards, like knife-edge exposure and sheer cliffs. These 10 peaks are ideal for informal group hikes.

Grays and Torreys peaks, CO
Bag two Fourteeners in just a few hours on this 5-mile, beginner-friendly mountain out-and-back with sweeping Front Range views.

Clouds Rest, CA
Earn calendar-worthy views of Yosemite Valley–without the crowds–on this 6-mile hike up a 9,926-foot granite monolith.

Observation Peak, WY
Gaze out over the peaks and canyons of Yellowstone from the top of this 9,397-foot peak, accessible via a moderate 10.5-mile dayhike.

Skyscraper Mountain, WA
Climb through wildflower-choked meadows on this 7.9-miler with killer views of Mt. Rainier.

Mt. Washington, NH, via Tuckerman Ravine
Check off this life-list, 6,288-foot Presidential peak by ascending via this classic 7.8-mile out-and-back.

Whiteface Mountain, NY
Challenge yourself with a strenuous 11.6-mile hike up a 4,867-foot Adirondack peak with vistas stretching from Lake Placid to the High Peaks.

Chimney Tops, TN
Tackle the Smokies' most fun scramble on this 9.6-miler.

Mt. Rogers, VA
Bag the state high point (5,729 feet) on a 7.2-mile out-and-back through dense Appalachian forest.

Diamond Peak, OR
Save a weekend for this stunning 27.4-mile loop past lakes and waterfalls to the 8,744-foot summit of an extinct Cascades volcano.

Deseret Peak, UT
Hoof 7.8 miles to the top of this 11,031-footer for expansive views of Great Salt Lake and the Wasatch Mountains.


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