Wyoming: Gannett Peak
13,809 ft (4,209 m)
Deep in the Wind River Range and miles from the nearest trailhead, Gannett Peak (13,804 feet / 4,207 meters) is Wyoming’s tallest mountain—and one of the most demanding state highpoints in the lower 48. Unlike the drive-ups and day hikes of other states, summiting Gannett requires serious planning, glacier travel, and a multi-day backcountry adventure.
Reaching the base typically involves a 40 to 50-mile round-trip, depending on the chosen route. Climbers must cross both the Dinwoody and Gooseneck Glaciers to reach this summit, often using ropes, crampons, and ice axes. This is no casual outing—it’s a true alpine challenge reserved for those with mountaineering skills and the grit to go remote. But for those who make this push, Gannett rewards with some of the most dramatic scenery in the Rockies: glacial valleys, jagged ridgelines, and the wild solitude of Wyoming’s high country.
Gannett isn’t just a highpoint—it’s a full-on wilderness objective. And for many highpointers, it marks the most satisfying summit in the West.
More to come…
In the meantime, these links might help you accomplish this state’s highpoint: