# 'Peak' bagging the easy way: which states have the easiest high points to 'climb' to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 31, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517 "2015-08-31T17:48:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/21 "2015-08-31T19:58:30Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Was kind of wondering why Mount Elbert (Colorado) and Mauna Kea (Hawaii) aren’t included in this short list. I guess with Mount Elbert, you’re not actually climbing a full 14,400 feet since you’re starting off so high already at ground level. Elbert is just an uphill hike (and the trailhead is something like 11000’). It can be tough, depending on your fitness level, but “Mountaineering Skills” means, ropes, crampons, ice tools, et al. > [@](#): > > How about Mauna Kea? Not very steep, perhaps? > > EDIT: Never mind … [this pic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea#/media/File:Mauna_Kea_from_Mauna_Loa_Observatory,_Hawaii_-_20100913.jpg) seems to answer the question about Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea has a road to the top (and a bunch of telescopes). The two biggest impediments are that most rental car companies specifically prohibit you from driving up that road, and lately there have been protesters blocking the road to try to stop the building of new telescope. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/22 "2015-08-31T19:59:52Z")
Here’s a little tidbit about the highest point in Missouri. > [@](#): > > In 1991 Missouri created Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, a 7,448-acre (30.14 km2) state park on the mountain: it has a rustic campground, a paved trail to the highpoint marked by a polished granite plaque, and a lookout tower from which a good view can be had; the dense forest on the mountain obscures the view from most other vantage points. In other words, you can walk to the highest point, but if you want to see anything there, you still have to climb a tower. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/23 "2015-08-31T20:09:00Z")
[ul][li]Mount Washington (NH) has a [paved road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington_Auto_Road) and a [railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington_Cog_Railway) to near the summit. The [summit](https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2701931,-71.3031429,3a,58y,342.47h,84.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDDpBqCRMra1Vg1CiXOwjSA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en) is easily accessible from the parking lot/train terminus.[/li][li]Mount Greylock (MA) has a paved road to near the top. From the parking lot there, it’s approximately 300-500 feet to the summit (depending on where you park.) There is not a significant elevation change from the parking lot to the summit, unless you decide climb the war memorial tower (closed for renovations until 2016.)[/li][/ul] > [@leahcim](#): > > Mauna Kea has a road to the top (and a bunch of telescopes). The two biggest impediments are that most rental car companies specifically prohibit you from driving up that road, and lately there have been protesters blocking the road to try to stop the building of new telescope. Note that the road isn’t paved — it’s a gravel road with a fairly coarse-grained fill, which is why the rental companies don’t want you climbing it. That said, most rental cars are pretty capable of making the climb — the Honda Civic I rented in 2005 may or may not have been taken to the top while I was renting it. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/24 "2015-08-31T20:30:37Z")
> [@MikeS](#): > > … most rental cars are pretty capable of making the climb Indeed, it’s suitable for any sound 2WD vehicle whose driver knows something about how to descend a looong, rather steep grade without cooking the brakes. If you take a rental car there, the only real downside is that if you suffer a breakdown, you will be fully responsible for the cost of the tow (said to be something like $900). Big Island car rental companies can be a bit strange. At least until a few years ago, they typically put the Saddle Road (between Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa) off limits. This is a fine paved road with no issues for any road-legal motor vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/25 "2015-08-31T20:36:27Z")
> [@MikeS](#): > > Note that the road isn’t paved — it’s a gravel road with a fairly coarse-grained fill, which is why the rental companies don’t want you climbing it. That said, most rental cars are pretty capable of making the climb — the Honda Civic I rented in 2005 may or may not have been taken to the top while I was renting it. The car I rented in May of this year may or may not also have made the trip. The road the actually prohibit you from going on is actually Saddle Road, which is the main road across the big island. I understand that that road used to be sketchy, but currently it is quite possibly the most modern, well-paved, wide freeway on the island (Uhm… I’ve… heard…) ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/26 "2015-08-31T21:10:17Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > Yeah, if you want to stretch the definition of “most” so that it excludes, at a minimum, the high points of California, Idaho, Nevada, Hawaii, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas. None of these could possibly be described as “easy hikes or drive-ups”. Well, the site is called peakbaggers so _their_ definition of easy apparently means non-techincal (no ice-ax, crampons, rope, etc. required.). According to them: Mount Whitney (California) is a graded, well-maintained trail Borah Peak (Idaho) is relatively easy, given that the vertical gain on the standard route is a punishing 5300 feet. Most climbers do Borah as a day hike, although a draining one. Boundary Peak (Nevada) is an easy, non-technical hike, made difficult by dusty, rocky access roads and large talus fields Mauna Kea (Hawaii): most people drive to the summit Humphreys Peak (Arizona) is a maintained trail that “anybody in some sort of shape can make” Kings Peak (Utah) is a scramble Wheeler Peak (New Mexico) is a long but possible dayhike. Mount Elbert (Colorado) is a maintained hiking trail Guadalupe Peak (Texas) is a maintained hiking trail ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/27 "2015-08-31T21:15:20Z")
Guadalupe Peak depends on how fit you are. I consider it an easy hike and can do it in less than 4 hours especially if it is not hot and I have been acclimated. However, the official suggested time is 6-8 hours, so people of average fitness might not consider it an easy hike. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/28 "2015-08-31T21:53:09Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Nebraska. > > [http://www.kimballne.org/visitors/images/Panorama\_Point\_\_\_Flag.jpg](http://www.kimballne.org/visitors/images/Panorama_Point___Flag.jpg) I thought the State Capitol dome in Omaha was the highest point in Nebraska? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/29 "2015-08-31T21:55:29Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > That’s definitely not Mount Hood. The summit of Mount Hood is snow covered year-round. If the file name is to be believed, it’s Mount McLoughlin down near Medford, which is a strenuous but non-technical climb. Appears you’re correct. Well, [here’s](https://onmounthood.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/mazamas-on-cooper-spur-07-19-1894.jpg) the same sort of group on Cooper Spur on Hood. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/30 "2015-08-31T22:12:23Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > I thought the State Capitol dome in Omaha was the highest point in Nebraska? That’s just a joke. Western Nebraska is 3/4 of a mile higher than Eastern Nebraska (where Omaha is). That’d have to be one hell of a Capitol building. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/31 "2015-08-31T22:39:30Z")
Especially considering that Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/32 "2015-08-31T22:56:22Z")
If you wanted to make any of these easy high-points harder, you could do them at night, or during a storm, or by bicycle, or backward, or while juggling, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/33 "2015-08-31T23:05:29Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Guadalupe Peak depends on how fit you are. Indeed (and probably true of many of these highest points). It’s about a 3000’ altitude gain on a good trail. I did it in typical summer weather (i.e. hot at the base) and would say that the percentage of people who’d call this “easy” would be fairly small. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/34 "2015-08-31T23:50:49Z")
After following the links from the Peak Baggers website, I stumbled across [this list of peaks by their difficulty.](http://www4.wittenberg.edu/academics/hfs/tmartin/highpointing/hparticle.html#III.%20Location%20and%20Classification%20of%20State) It’s subjective, of course, but here’s are the easiest ones (with a ranking of 1 on a scale of 1–10): [ul][_]Cheaha Mt., AL[_]Ebright Azimuth, DE[_]Britton Hill, FL[_]Hawkeye Point, IA[_]Mt. Sunflower, KS[_]Black Mt., KY[_]Mt. Greylock, MA[_]Mt. Arvon, MI[_]Woodall Mt., MS[_]Taum Sauk Mt., MO[_]Panorama Point, NE[_]Mt. Washington, NH[_]High Point, NJ[_]Mt. Mitchell, NC[_]Campbell Hill, OH[_]Mt. Davis, PA[_]Jerimoth Hill, RI[_]Sassafras Mt., SC[_]Spruce Knob, WV[_]Timms Hill, WI[/ul]The “hikes” to all of the above peaks require less than 150 feet of elevation gain and less than 0.6 miles of horizontal distance, assuming that you drive to the nearest road access. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/35 "2015-09-01T00:10:00Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > Borah Peak (Idaho) is relatively easy, given that the vertical gain on the standard route is a punishing 5300 feet. Most climbers do Borah as a day hike, although a draining one. Interestingly, Borah used to be more of a technical climb because there was a really treacherously steep permanent snowfield near the top. It used to be that you needed at least an ice axe for that section and crampons weren’t a bad idea. These days, though, the snowfield has shrunk so much that for most of the summer you can just walk around it. It is still a pretty grueling hand-over-hand scramble though… it’s not like the nice trail up to the top of Whitney. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/36 "2015-09-01T00:56:38Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > As you can see from the photos at the link, ‘ascending’ Campbell Hill isn’t exactly a challenge: drive to the parking lot in the background, walk up a slight rise, and you’ve ‘bagged’ the ‘peak’ that’s the highest place in Ohio. You don’t even have to walk that much. If you keep driving, there’s another parking lot immediately behind the photographer, at essentially the same height as the monument. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/37 "2015-09-01T01:32:02Z")
Eh, I’m not exactly a star athlete, and I’ve still done 3000’ vertical gain hikes as a day trip. It’s not something that I’d want to do every day, but I imagine that most people could do it, if they’re patient. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/38 "2015-09-01T02:20:48Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Eh, I’m not exactly a star athlete, and I’ve still done 3000’ vertical gain hikes as a day trip. It’s not something that I’d want to do every day, but I imagine that most people could do it, if they’re patient. Absolutely. But few would call it an “easy hike”. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/39 "2015-09-01T02:30:51Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > If you wanted to make any of these easy high-points harder, you could do them at night, or during a storm, or by bicycle, or backward, or while juggling, etc. Don’t laugh, there’s a whole [bike race series](http://www.hillclimbseries.com/) in New England. _All_ of them would be rated climbs in pro cycling, with most being category 3’s or 2’s. I did the one in NJ; to the aptly named High Point State Park. If you walked from the parking lot to the summit, you can easily make it in three or four minutes to the base of the 220’ obelisk. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2015, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517/40 "2015-09-01T10:46:40Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > Absolutely. But few would call it an “easy hike”. Definitely. For me at least, there’s a tipping point where I know I will only be out on the trail for a few hours, so I don’t really need to pack for a change of clothes and lots of food, and thus can pack lighter and so walk/jog even faster. Guadalupe Peak for me is on the easy side of that slope for me. If it were a couple hundred feet higher or a few miles longer, I’d need to take more water and food and equipment and then a four hour hike would be a six hour hike and no longer easy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-bagging-the-easy-way-which-states-have-the-easiest-high-points-to-climb-to/729517.md?page=3)