Are dogs allowed on Middle Palisade?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Middle Palisade but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Middle Palisade?

No, Middle Palisade does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Middle Palisade?

Middle Palisade is rated expert. It is 16.2 miles long with 11,457 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Is Middle Palisade suitable for kids?

Middle Palisade is not typically recommended for young children due to length, exposure, or technical terrain. Older kids with hiking experience may be fine — use your judgment based on your family's comfort level.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See California trail conditions

ExpertOut and Back

California

Middle Palisade

Big Pine, California

16.2 mi

Distance

11,457 ft

Elev. Gain

8h 50m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Expert

Difficulty

About This Trail

Middle Palisade is a 14,018-foot (4,273-meter) peak in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range in the U.S. state of California. It is a fourteener, and lies on the Sierra Crest as part of the Palisades group, a group of prominent Sierra Nevada mountain summits that includes multiple other fourteeners, approximately 12 miles (19 km) southwest of the town of Big Pine. Middle Palisade is the twelfth highest peak in California.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:2,377 ft

Max:4,237 ft

3,492 ft

Trail Details

Dogs on leash

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context