| Mount Muir | |
| Photo Size: | 260 |
| Elevation Ft: | 14018 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence Ft: | 298 |
| Parent Peak: | Mount Whitney[2] |
| Map: | USA California |
| Map Size: | 200 |
| Coordinates: | 36.5647°N -118.2913°W |
| Coordinates Ref: | [3] |
| Topo: | USGS Mount Whitney |
| First Ascent: | 1919 by LeRoy Jeffers[4] |
| Easiest Route: | Hike and scramble from the west, [5] |
Mount Muir is a peak in the Sierra Nevada of California, 0.95miles south of Mount Whitney. This 14018feet peak is named in honor of John Muir, a geologist, conservationist and founder of the Sierra Club. The southernmost section of the John Muir Trail contours along the west side of Mount Muir near its summit and ends on the summit of Mount Whitney.
Among mountain climbers, a peak needs to meet certain criteria in order to be included in some lists. To be listed as an independent peak a summit must have 300feet of clean prominence. A reliable source gives Mount Muir's clean prominence as 298feet,[1] and so the peak does not qualify for lists of fourteeners based on elevation and prominence.[6] It is included in other lists which do not depend on prominence. Some lists are based on more subjective criteria, and Mount Muir is included in the Sierra Peaks Section list, the Western States Climbers list, and the Vulgarian Ramblers 13,800-Footers of the Contiguous USA list.[7] [8]
The easiest approach is from the John Muir Trail just north of its junction with the Mount Whitney Trail in Sequoia National Park. The trail passes very near the summit and the climb involves a short stretch of difficult scrambling and/or easy rock climbing up the steep western slope to the summit block, . A dayhike permit or a backcountry permit with a Whitney Zone stamp is required to hike the Mount Whitney Trail.[9]
The east side of Mount Muir, which is in the John Muir Wilderness, is a near-vertical cliff about 1400feet high. The route on this side (the north side of the east buttress) was first climbed on July 11, 1935, by Nelson P. Nies and John D. Mendenhall. It is a roped climb, (class 4). The south side of the east buttress, also class 4, was first climbed on September 1, 1935, by Arthur B. Johnson and William Rice.[5]
. Steve Roper . The Climber's Guide to the High Sierra . 312 . 1976 . San Francisco . . 0-87156-147-6 . registration .