Birch Mountain, Mountain summit in Inyo County, United States.

Birch Mountain, or Paokrung in Northern Paiute, is one of the fifty highest peaks of California at 13,602 feet (4,145 m). Of the major Palisades peaks it stands farthest from the Sierra Crest, and its few summit register entries show it is climbed far less than its fourteener neighbours.

Birch Mountain appears on the Sierra Peaks Section list, the roster of California peaks that the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has maintained since the mid-20th century. That listing, rather than any climbing history of its own, is what draws peak baggers to a summit whose register holds few entries compared with its fourteener neighbours on the crest.

The Northern Paiute name Paokrung means "Mountain of Stone", a name recorded for this Palisades peak. Few climbers sign the summit register, so entries there are sparse compared with the fourteener neighbours on the Sierra Crest.

Birch Mountain stands farthest from the Sierra Crest of the major Palisades peaks, so the approach is long and the summit register holds few entries. Its low technical demand makes it a ski mountaineering objective, but the 7,000-foot gain from the trailhead and only two water sources below 10,500 feet call for carrying supplies and allowing acclimatization time on the steep terrain.

Birch Mountain's Northern Paiute name, Paokrung, means "Mountain of Stone". Of the major Palisades peaks it lies farthest from the Sierra Crest, and its few summit register entries show it is climbed far less than its fourteener neighbours.