Mount Ritter, Mountain peak in Madera County, California

Mount Ritter is the highest peak of the Ritter Range, a subrange of the Sierra Nevada, standing at 13,149 feet (4,008 m) in Madera County, California, within the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Its dark rock rises in the middle of the range between Banner Peak and the Minarets, and the Ritter–Banner pair is recognizable from high elevations far to the north and south.

The peak was named by Josiah Whitney, who led the California Geological Survey, after Carl Ritter, a geographer based in Berlin in the 19th century. The name reflects the close ties that American scientists of that era maintained with European academic circles.

A summit register at the top holds entries from climbers who have made the ascent over many decades. Reading through the pages gives a sense of how many people have been drawn to this remote peak.

Reaching the top calls for technical climbing skills and proper safety gear, as some sections of the route are steep and exposed. The most common starting points are near Agnew Meadow and the camping areas within the Ansel Adams Wilderness, so it is worth planning the approach in advance.

Mount Ritter is the highest point in Madera County, at 13,149 feet, and the highest peak of the Ritter Range. Its dark rock makes the Ritter–Banner pair stand out, and the two are recognizable from high elevations far to the north and south in the Sierra Nevada. It ranks 15th among California peaks with at least 500 meters of prominence.