Mount Tom, Mountain summit in Inyo County, California.
Mount Tom is a summit in the Sierra Nevada reaching 13,658 feet with steep rocky slopes and exposed terrain. The peak's location within the range offers views across the Owens Valley and surrounding high country.
The Owens Valley Paiute called this peak Winuba before Thomas Clark became the first European to reach it in 1860. Mining activity later brought interest to the area due to mineral deposits found in the rock.
The peak draws mountaineers seeking high-altitude challenges in the Sierra Nevada and serves as a landmark for those exploring the range. The surrounding area reflects its mining heritage through old structures and the activities that once shaped the valley.
The main access is from Horton Creek Canyon on a trail that demands endurance and proper acclimatization for the elevation gain. Summer and autumn offer the best conditions when snow is gone and weather patterns are more stable.
The peak contains scheelite and other valuable minerals that attracted mining operations like the Hanging Valley Mine. These deposits made it notable to prospectors seeking ore in addition to mountaineers seeking summits.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
