Ralston Peak is a mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range to the west of Lake Tahoe within the Desolation Wilderness in El Dorado County, California. Ralston Peak is a very popular mountain to summit for the views of the wilderness area as it lies very near U.S. Route 50. The closest trailhead to the summit can be found in Camp Sacramento a few miles west of Echo Summit. Ralston Peak can also be accessed from the Pacific Crest Trail between Echo Lake and Lake Aloha. Starting at the nearest trailhead (Echo Lake), this route is significantly longer than the trail from Camp Sacramento. But the altitude gain on this route is much less, and the trail is much less steep.

Quick Facts Highest point, Elevation ...

Ralston Peak
Highest point
Elevation	9,239 ft (2,816 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence	1,075 ft (328 m)[1]
Listing	Tahoe OGUL Mountaineer Peak[2]
Coordinates	38°49′59″N 120°06′06″W[3]
Geography
Ralston Peak Location in California Show map of California Ralston Peak Ralston Peak (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	El Dorado County, California, U.S.
Parent range	Sierra Nevada
Topo map	USGS Echo Lake
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike, class 1[2]

Close

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Ralston Peak is located in an alpine climate zone.^[4] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range.