Mount Harrington
Peak · 11,023 ft · Kings Canyon & Sequoia corridor
Mount Harrington is an 11,023-foot peak in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. High elevation and exposure to westerly flow define its weather character.
Wind dominates here. Afternoon gusts funnel off the High Sierra plateau and accelerate down westward-facing slopes. The 30-day average wind of 9 mph masks daily swings from calm dawn conditions to afternoon blasts of 30+ mph. Snow lingers into late spring; assess slab stability before crossing corniced ridges.
Over the last 30 days, Mount Harrington has averaged a NoGo Score of 36 with temperatures near 27 degrees Fahrenheit and wind averaging 9 mph. Gusts have reached 39 mph. The week ahead follows typical late-spring patterns for this elevation: warming mornings, intensifying afternoon wind, and variable snowpack consolidation. Plan ascents for dawn departure and early-morning summits.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Mount Harrington
Mount Harrington sits on the crest of the Sierra Nevada at 11,023 feet, roughly equidistant from the Kern River drainage to the south and the Kings River drainage to the north. Access via Highway 180 from Fresno, which dead-ends at Hume Lake; from there, foot travel to the peak crosses high-country meadows and talus fields in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia region. The nearest trailhead parking fills by mid-morning on weekends. Most parties approach from the east via Sierra backcountry routes that require 10,000-foot passes and high-altitude navigation.
Harrington's weather follows high-Sierra patterns strictly. Winter snowpack persists until late summer; spring and early-summer ascents encounter unconsolidated wet-slab avalanche terrain on north and east aspects. The 30-day rolling temperature of 27 degrees Fahrenheit reflects April and May conditions at this elevation. Wind accelerates dramatically in afternoon hours as the valley-floor heats and draws air up the westward-facing slopes. The 30-day average wind of 9 mph is deceptive; the 30-day maximum of 39 mph captures the typical afternoon pulse. Crowding remains low (average 2 out of 10) because few parties possess both the skill and time commitment for a high-Sierra crest approach.
Harrington suits experienced mountaineers with solid snow travel and avalanche assessment skills. A typical ascent is a 2-to-3 day push from Hume Lake or a technical Sierra crossing from the eastern approach. Parties must carry ice axes, crampons, and avalanche safety gear through late summer. The peak itself is non-technical rock scrambling, but approach terrain dictates difficulty. Skip Harrington after recent storms or if the Sierra avalanche center (ESAC) rates the snowpack unstable. The high base elevation means afternoon wind becomes severe by 1 PM; descend early.
Nearby alternatives in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia corridor include peaks accessible from Grant Grove (closer to the highway, lower elevation, less wind exposure) and the Great Western Divide peaks accessed from the Kern Plateau (similar elevation, slightly more sheltered from westerly wind). Harrington's main advantage is isolation; its low base popularity (0.2 out of 10) means you will encounter almost no other parties even on busy weekends. That isolation is also its cost: rescue is distant, weather support is minimal, and self-sufficiency is non-negotiable.