Which mountain range is home to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States?
Answer
The Sierra Nevada
Answer
The Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada is home to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States at 4,421 meters.
The range runs along eastern California and part of western Nevada, forming a major geographic barrier between the Central Valley and the Great Basin. Mount Whitney stands near the southern end of the range in Sequoia National Park, while Yosemite National Park lies farther north.
The Sierra Nevada was shaped by uplift, erosion, glaciers, and volcanic activity. Its granite landscapes include the dramatic cliffs of Yosemite Valley, and its western slopes support giant sequoia groves. The range also plays an important role in California's water supply through winter snowpack.
Mount Whitney is not the highest mountain in the entire United States; that distinction belongs to Denali in Alaska. It is specifically the highest summit in the contiguous 48 states.
Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026