The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primarily in Nevada. The Sierra Nevada is part of the American Cordillera, an almost continuous chain of mountain ranges …
The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primarily in Nevada. The Sierra Nevada is part of the American Cordillera, an almost continuous chain of mountain ranges that forms the western "backbone" of the Americas.
Elevation: 14,505 ft (4,421 m)
Peak: Mount Whitney
Length: 400 mi (640 km) north-south from Fredonyer Pass to Tehachapi Pass
Width: 80 mi (130 km)
Area: 24,370 sq mi (63,100 km²)
Etymology: 1777: Spanish for "snowy mountain range"
Nicknames: the Sierra · the High Sierra · Range of Light (1894, John Muir)
AdFind thetop-rated and best-reviewed tours and activities in SierraNevada for 2025. Read over 8 million trusted customer reviews to pick thebest activities for your trip.
Must-see attractions · Multiple languages · Easy price comparison · 24/7 customer service
Save
Share
More