51 Peaks Near You
Everyone enjoys collecting mementos from travels; stickers stating: “I survived…” “I climbed…” and “I’ve been to…” plaster many travelers gear, cargo boxes, and rear vehicle windows. Along with these trophies the journey, exploration, and achievement in the wild is the true memento and trophy for the backcountry athlete. We travel and push our limits on some of the toughest terrain available to gain the experiences these places have to offer. We only gain and grow stronger from the sweat, bruises, and strained muscles achieved from challenges on harsh trails, rugged mountains, and steep rock faces.
No doubt, when someone mentions Europe visions of the soaring peaks of the Alps emerge in your mind. You visualize the jagged ridgelines of the Chilean Mountains and sawtooth peaks of Patagonia during conversations of South America. You watch snow gusts surge across the Himalaya every time you see Tibetan prayer flags waving in the wind. And when you think of the new world, while it was still new and uncharted, you imagine the first peoples to explore, discover, and conquer its peaks.
Fortunately, most all the high points in what was once known as the new world are still wildernesses and can be explored and climbed in the same way their original discoverers summited them. And there is one near you. Every state in the U.S. harbors its own unique highest point. They come in all skill levels; some can be summited as a day-hike while others require technical skills and in-depth preparation.
While many collect mementos from each place they go, some collect summits.
Here’s the list of the highest points in every state including D.C. do with it what I know you will.
Alabama
Cheaha Mountain 2,407’
Alaska
Denali 20,320’
Arizona
Humphreys Peak 12,637’
Arkansas
Mount Magazine 2,753’
California
Mount Whitney 14,505’
Colorado
Mount Elbert 14,440’
Connecticut
Mount Frissell 2,380’
Delaware
Ebright Azimuth 451’
District of Columbia
Fort Reno 410’
Florida
Britton Hill 345’
Georgia
Brasstown Bald 4,784’
Hawaii
Mauna Kea 13,803’
Idaho
Borah Peak 12,668’
Illinois
Charles Mound 1,235’
Indiana
Hoosier Hill 1,257’
Iowa
Hawkeye Point 1,670’
Kansas
Mount Sunflower 4,039’
Kentucky
Black Mountain 4,145’
Louisiana
Driskill Mountain 535’
Maine
Mount Katahdin 5,268’
Maryland
Hoye-Crest 3,360’
Massachusetts
Mount Greylock 3,492’
Michigan
Mount Arvon 1,979’
Minnesota
Eagle Mountain 2,301’
Mississippi
Woodall Mountain 806’
Missouri
Taum Sauk Mountain 1,772’
Montana
Granite Peak 12,807’
Nebraska
Panorama Point 5,424’
Nevada
Boundary Peak 13,147’
New Hampshire
Mount Washington 6,288’
New Jersey
High Point 1,803’
New Mexico
Wheeler Peak 13,167’
New York
Mount Marcy 5,344’
North Carolina
Mount Mitchell 6,684’
North Dakota
White Butte 3,506’
Ohio
Campbell Hill 1,549’
Oklahoma
Black Mesa 4,973’
Oregon
Mount Hood 11,249’
Pennsylvania
Mount Davis 3,213’
Rhode Island
Jerimoth Hill 812’
South Carolina
Sassafras Mountain 3,560’
South Dakota
Harney Peak 7,244’
Tennessee
Clingmans Dome 6,643’
Texas
Guadalupe Peak 8,751’
Utah
Kings Peak 13,528’
Vermont
Mount Mansfield 4,395’
Virginia
Mount Rogers 5,729’
Washington
Mount Rainier 14,410’
West Virginia
Spruce Knob 4,863’
Wisconsin
Timms Hill 1,951’
Wyoming
Gannett Peak 13,809’
