Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
All 17 Regional Editions
The most beginner-friendly entry point in American peakbagging — pick any 6 peaks from your region’s curated list, summit them at your own pace within the year, and earn your finisher badge. 17 regional editions from San Diego to the Adirondacks.
About the Six-Pack Challenge
The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge was created in 2010 by Jeff Hester of Social Hikers as a training framework for a John Muir Trail thru-hike. He selected six progressively tougher Southern California peaks to summit over six weekends — and started bringing friends. By 2015 it was an official organized challenge. Today it spans 17 regional editions with an active online community of thousands of challengers logging hikes each year.
Each regional edition gives you a curated list of 7–12 iconic local peaks, and you choose any 6 to complete within the calendar year. There’s no required order and no required pace — hike them in six days or six months. The list is designed to build progressively, starting with the most accessible peaks and culminating in the most demanding summit in each region.
1. Register at socialhiker.net — free basic registration includes forum access and digital tracking. Paid tiers add a physical swag pack: sticker set, personalized Hiker Tag, and a Leave No Trace card.
2. Choose your region — pick any edition below, or attempt multiple. Many hikers complete their home region first then travel to others.
3. Summit any 6 peaks from the edition list, logging each hike on the Social Hikers platform as you go.
4. Graduate — submit your final hike log and receive your digital finisher badge, plus physical finisher swag if you registered at a paid tier.
Each regional edition refreshes its peak list annually — the peaks shown on cards below reflect the known current or recent list. Some editions add optional alternate peaks when a trail is closed due to weather or wildfire. Always check the current year’s exact peak list at socialhiker.net before registering. The Six-Pack challenge typically runs January 1 – December 31 each year.
California
6 editions spanning the Golden State — Bay Area to San Diego, Sierra to coast
Pacific Northwest
Oregon and Washington — volcanic Cascades and alpine wilderness
Southwest
Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico — desert mountains and high volcanic summits
Mountain West
Utah Wasatch peaks and Colorado Rockies — alpine classics close to major cities
Northeast & Appalachians
New England, Adirondacks, and Southern Appalachians — America’s oldest peak-bagging tradition
More Peakbagging Challenges
The SoCal Six Pack of Peaks: Complete Reference
The SoCal Six Pack of Peaks is the original and most popular Six Pack of Peaks Challenge — six iconic Southern California summits that hikers attempt within a single calendar year. Created in 2013 by hiker and writer Jeff Hester, the challenge has grown to approximately 5,000+ annual participants and has spawned regional variations across the American West. Below is the complete reference for the SoCal Six Pack including detailed route data, timing recommendations, and progression strategy.
The Six Peaks Ranked by Difficulty
| # | Peak | Elevation | Distance | Gain | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Wilson | 5,710 ft / 1,740 m | 14 mi RT | 4,500 ft | Easiest — fire road + trail |
| 2 | Cucamonga Peak | 8,859 ft / 2,701 m | 12 mi RT | 4,300 ft | Moderate — scrambling near summit |
| 3 | Mount Baden-Powell | 9,407 ft / 2,867 m | 8 mi RT | 2,800 ft | Moderate — shorter but altitude |
| 4 | Mount San Antonio (Baldy) | 10,064 ft / 3,068 m | 11 mi RT | 3,900 ft | Hard — Devil’s Backbone exposure |
| 5 | San Bernardino Peak | 10,649 ft / 3,246 m | 16 mi RT | 4,700 ft | Hard — longest day; substantial fitness |
| 6 | San Jacinto Peak | 10,834 ft / 3,302 m | 11-17 mi RT | 4,400-8,400 ft | Hardest — highest peak; tramway option available |
The recommended completion order. Most experienced Six Pack of Peaks participants tackle the peaks in approximate difficulty order to build fitness progressively: Mount Wilson first (easiest test of trail fitness and packing), Cucamonga Peak second (introduces scrambling and wilderness permits), Mount Baden-Powell third (introduces 9,000+ ft altitude on a manageable distance), Mount San Antonio fourth (introduces serious exposure on Devil’s Backbone), San Bernardino Peak fifth (tests endurance with the longest single day), San Jacinto Peak last (the highest summit and substantial finale). Spring start (March-April) suits the lower peaks; summer (June-September) is optimal for the higher elevations after snow clears. October-November are the last reliable windows before winter snowfall returns to the highest summits.
Detailed Peak Profiles
1. Mount Wilson (5,710 ft) — The Accessible Starter
Mount Wilson is the most accessible of the six and the standard first peak for most participants. The summit hosts the historic Mount Wilson Observatory (founded 1904) — substantial astronomical history including Edwin Hubble’s discovery of expanding universe observations. Multiple route options: Mount Wilson Trail from Sierra Madre (14 miles RT, the standard), Chantry Flat / Sturtevant Falls approach (longer but more scenic), or shorter Toll Road approach. Best season: year-round (with summer heat avoidance). No permits required for most routes; substantial trailhead parking can fill on weekends.
2. Cucamonga Peak (8,859 ft) — The Wilderness Introduction
Cucamonga Peak introduces participants to the San Gabriel Wilderness — substantially more remote feel than Mount Wilson with mandatory wilderness permits ($5/day at trailhead). The standard route from Icehouse Canyon involves 12 miles round-trip with substantial elevation gain. The final 200 ft to the summit requires Class 2 scrambling on talus and exposed terrain — the first real scrambling on the challenge. Best season: April-October. Cucamonga Wilderness camping requires advance permit reservations during peak season.
3. Mount Baden-Powell (9,407 ft) — The Altitude Test
Mount Baden-Powell is named after Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts movement (substantial Boy Scout heritage along the trail). The standard route from Vincent Gap is among the shorter days at 8 miles RT but introduces 9,000+ ft altitude where AMS symptoms can begin for sea-level visitors. The summit intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail — popular thru-hiker route. The trail features substantial ancient limber pine forest including individual trees believed to be 1,500+ years old. Best season: June-October (snow can persist through May).
4. Mount San Antonio / Mount Baldy (10,064 ft) — The Iconic LA Peak
Mount San Antonio (commonly called Mount Baldy) is the most iconic peak in the Los Angeles area, visible from much of the LA basin on clear days. The standard route via Devil’s Backbone involves substantial exposure on the namesake ridge — a knife-edge section with substantial drop-offs on both sides. The route gains 3,900 ft over 11 miles. Mount Baldy Ski Resort operates on the lower mountain in winter. Substantial trailhead options including Manker Flat (standard), Mount Baldy Notch (cable car option that reduces distance), and the longer Bear Flat / Old Mount Baldy Trail. Best season: May-October.
5. San Bernardino Peak (10,649 ft) — The Endurance Day
San Bernardino Peak is the longest single day of the challenge at 16 miles round-trip with 4,700 ft of elevation gain. The standard route from Forsee Creek Trail is substantially less crowded than the LA-area peaks — feels more remote and wilderness-like. The peak is named after Saint Bernardino (San Bernardino in Spanish), the namesake of the San Bernardino Mountains range. The summit views span from the desert to the Pacific. Substantial backcountry permits available for overnight options. Best season: June-October.
6. San Jacinto Peak (10,834 ft) — The Highest Summit
San Jacinto Peak is the highest of the six and the iconic peak above Palm Springs. Multiple route options create substantial route choice: the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway approach (cable car eliminates ~6,000 ft of climbing — the “easy” route at 11 miles RT) or the substantially harder Marion Mountain Trail / Deer Springs Trail / Cactus to Clouds route (17 miles RT, 8,400 ft gain — the hardest single day on the entire challenge if attempting from Palm Springs). Most Six Pack participants use the tramway approach; ambitious hikers attempt one of the foot routes. The summit views span the Salton Sea, Coachella Valley, and on clear days the Pacific Ocean. Best season: June-October.
Regional Six Pack of Peaks Variants
The original SoCal Six Pack has spawned multiple regional variants, each adapted to local mountain ranges and hiker communities. Below are the major Six Pack challenges currently active:
| Challenge | Region | Key Peaks |
|---|---|---|
| SoCal Six Pack of Peaks | Southern California | Mount Wilson, Cucamonga, Baden-Powell, San Antonio (Baldy), San Bernardino, San Jacinto |
| SoCal Lower Six Pack | Southern California (easier) | Mount Hollywood, Strawberry Peak, Echo Mountain, Sandstone Peak, Eagle Rock, Mount Lukens |
| NorCal Six Pack of Peaks | Northern California | Mount Tamalpais, Mount Diablo, Mount Saint Helena, Mission Peak, Mount Umunhum, Black Mountain |
| San Diego Six Pack of Peaks | San Diego area | El Cajon Mountain, Iron Mountain, Cowles Mountain, Volcan Mountain, Cuyamaca Peak, Hot Springs Mountain |
| Arizona Six Pack of Peaks | Arizona | Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, Wasson Peak, Picacho Peak, Browns Peak, Mount Lemmon |
| Colorado Six Pack of Peaks | Colorado | Selection varies; usually includes accessible 14ers |
| Pacific Northwest Six Pack | WA/OR | Selection varies by year; often includes Cascade volcanoes |
Six Pack of Peaks safety considerations. While the Six Pack of Peaks Challenge involves non-technical hiking on established trails, the challenge has produced multiple search-and-rescue incidents and several fatalities over its history. Key safety considerations: (1) Mount Baldy’s Devil’s Backbone is genuinely exposed terrain — substantial winds, ice in shoulder seasons, and overconfident hikers have produced multiple fatalities; (2) San Jacinto Peak’s Cactus to Clouds route is one of the most strenuous day hikes in North America — multiple fatalities annually from heat exhaustion, dehydration, and underestimation; (3) Afternoon thunderstorm patterns on the higher peaks (especially July-August) — lightning strikes have killed hikers above treeline; (4) Altitude sickness for sea-level Los Angeles residents attempting the 10,000+ ft summits without acclimatization; (5) Wildfire closures are increasingly common (substantial closures in 2020, 2021, 2024) — verify trail access before each climb. Always start by sunrise, carry substantial water (4+ liters per peak in summer), check weather forecasts, and respect turnaround times.
The Six Pack Training Strategy
The Six Pack of Peaks is designed as a structured fitness progression — earlier peaks build fitness for the harder peaks later in the season. A typical Six Pack training and completion timeline:
| Month | Recommended Activity | Target Peak |
|---|---|---|
| January-February | Base fitness — 8-10 mile day hikes weekly; gym work | Training period |
| March | Increase to 12-14 mile training hikes | Attempt Mount Wilson #1 |
| April | Add elevation focus — substantial vertical gain hikes | Attempt Cucamonga #2 |
| May-June | Multi-altitude exposure — 9,000+ ft training | Attempt Mount Baden-Powell #3 |
| July | Build fitness for technical scrambling | Attempt Mount San Antonio #4 |
| August | Endurance peak — back-to-back long days | Attempt San Bernardino #5 |
| September-October | Final peak push; complete challenge | Attempt San Jacinto #6 (finisher) |
| November-December | Recovery + planning for next year | Complete by Dec 31 deadline |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Six Pack of Peaks Challenge?
The Six Pack of Peaks Challenge is a series of regional peak-bagging challenges requiring hikers to summit six specific peaks in a single calendar year. The original SoCal Six Pack was created in 2013 by hiker Jeff Hester and includes Mount Wilson, Cucamonga Peak, Mount Baden-Powell, Mount San Antonio (Baldy), San Bernardino Peak, and San Jacinto Peak. Climbers track progress through the official Six Pack of Peaks website, earn a finisher’s medal after completing all six, and join a community of ~5,000+ annual participants. The challenge has expanded to include NorCal, San Diego, Arizona, Colorado, and Pacific Northwest regional variants.
What peaks are in the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks?
Six Southern California peaks in recommended difficulty order: (1) Mount Wilson (5,710 ft, 14 miles RT) — easiest; (2) Cucamonga Peak (8,859 ft, 12 miles RT) — wilderness introduction; (3) Mount Baden-Powell (9,407 ft, 8 miles RT) — altitude test; (4) Mount San Antonio/Baldy (10,064 ft, 11 miles RT) — Devil’s Backbone exposure; (5) San Bernardino Peak (10,649 ft, 16 miles RT) — longest day; (6) San Jacinto Peak (10,834 ft, 11-17 miles RT) — highest summit. Total: ~75 miles of hiking with ~22,000 feet of elevation gain across all six.
How long does it take to complete the Six Pack of Peaks?
Most hikers complete the SoCal Six Pack over 4-8 months — typically starting in spring (March-April) and completing by fall (October-November). The challenge requires completion within a single calendar year. Standard pace: one peak per month. Experienced hikers complete 1-2 peaks per month during peak season. Theoretical fastest: 1-2 weeks for extremely fit climbers attempting peaks consecutively (rare and not the typical approach). Approximately 5,000+ hikers complete the challenge annually. Total time investment: ~75 miles of hiking across 6 day-hikes (8-12 hours each).
How hard is the Six Pack of Peaks?
The Six Pack of Peaks is moderately difficult — substantially harder than typical day hiking but achievable for fit hikers with 6+ months of preparation. Each peak involves 8-17 miles round-trip with 2,800-4,700 ft elevation gain. The total challenge requires ~75 miles of hiking and ~22,000 ft of vertical gain. Specific demands: substantial cardiovascular fitness for sustained 8-12 hour days; comfortable with exposed terrain (Mount Baldy’s Devil’s Backbone, scrambling sections on Cucamonga); altitude tolerance for the 10,000+ ft summits; navigation skills for some trail sections. Not suitable for first-time hikers but achievable for hikers with regular 10+ mile day hike experience. Substantially less demanding than the Colorado 14ers (which require comparable per-peak effort but 10x more peaks to complete).
What is the order of the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks?
Recommended order of completion (easiest to hardest): (1) Mount Wilson — accessible starter via fire road; (2) Cucamonga Peak — first wilderness experience; (3) Mount Baden-Powell — first 9,000+ ft summit; (4) Mount San Antonio (Mount Baldy) — Devil’s Backbone exposure introduction; (5) San Bernardino Peak — longest single day; (6) San Jacinto Peak — highest summit and finale. This progression builds fitness and confidence progressively. Alternative orderings work — some climbers prefer to tackle technical peaks (Mount Baldy) earlier when fresh; some prefer San Jacinto Peak via the tramway approach early when fitness is lower. The order is recommendation, not requirement — the challenge just requires all six within a calendar year.
Do you need permits for the Six Pack of Peaks?
Permit requirements vary by peak: Mount Wilson — no permit (free access); Cucamonga Peak — Cucamonga Wilderness day permit ($5 self-issued at trailhead); Mount Baden-Powell — Angeles National Forest Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year); Mount San Antonio (Mount Baldy) — Angeles National Forest Adventure Pass for some trailheads; San Bernardino Peak — San Bernardino National Forest Adventure Pass + free Wilderness day permit; San Jacinto Peak — Mount San Jacinto State Park ($10/day, free with State Park annual pass) + wilderness day permit (free). Adventure Pass alternative: Interagency Annual Pass $80 covers all National Forest sites. Some trailhead parking can fill on peak weekends — arrive by 6:00-7:00 AM for popular starting points.