The Dragtooth

The Dragtooth

Monument Ridge, Matterhorn Peak and Sawtooth Ridge of the Eastern Sierras near Bridgeport, California on a clear day | Joel Hensler

🏔️ Overview

The Dragtooth is a rugged 12,131-foot (3,697-meter) summit on the Sawtooth Ridge of California’s Sierra Nevada, immediately northwest of Matterhorn Peak. The mountain lies along the boundary between Mono and Tuolumne counties near the northeastern edge of Yosemite National Park.

Although much less famous than Matterhorn Peak, The Dragtooth is one of the most distinctive summits along this exceptionally jagged section of the Sierra crest. Its name suits its appearance: steep faces, sharp ridges, and broken summit blocks give the mountain the toothlike profile characteristic of the Sawtooth Ridge.

The Dragtooth is primarily a mountaineering and rock-climbing objective rather than a conventional hiking summit. Historical climbing guides describe the easiest ascent as Class 3, while its northern side supports substantially more technical rock routes. The peak also forms part of the much more serious Sawtooth Ridge traverse.

Modern LiDAR-based measurements place The Dragtooth at approximately 12,130.7 feet, with about 289 feet of topographic prominence. Its relatively low prominence reflects its close connection to neighboring Matterhorn Peak rather than a lack of ruggedness.

⚡ Fast Facts

Fact	Details
Continent	North America
Country	United States
State/Province	California
County/Region	Mono and Tuolumne counties
Mountain Range	Sierra Nevada — Sawtooth Ridge
Parent Peak	Matterhorn Peak
Elevation	12,130.7 ft / 3,697.4 m
Prominence	288.8 ft / 88 m
Isolation	Approximately 0.36 mi / 0.58 km
Nearest Higher Neighbor (NHN)	Matterhorn Peak
Coordinates	Approximately 38.098° N, 119.385° W
USGS Quadrangle	Matterhorn Peak
Protected Areas	Yosemite Wilderness / Hoover Wilderness vicinity
First Recorded Ascent	1931 — Walter Brem, Glen Dawson, and Jules Eichorn
Easiest Historical Route	Approximately Class 3

Peakbagger’s current elevation figure of 12,130.7 feet closely matches the 12,131-foot LiDAR elevation reported by Lists of John. Older climbing sources sometimes list The Dragtooth at approximately 12,080 feet.

📍 Location

The Dragtooth stands on the high Sierra crest northwest of Matterhorn Peak, where the dramatically serrated Sawtooth Ridge separates the eastern Sierra from Yosemite’s remote northern high country.

The summit also lies along the boundary between Mono County and Tuolumne County. Yosemite National Park and the Yosemite Wilderness extend to its western side, while the Hoover Wilderness of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest lies to the east and northeast.

The nearest commonly used road access is from the Twin Lakes area west of Bridgeport, California. From Twin Lakes, the Horse Creek route provides access toward Matterhorn Peak, The Dragtooth, and surrounding portions of Sawtooth Ridge.

Unlike many celebrated Yosemite landmarks, The Dragtooth is far removed from developed park roads and major tourist destinations. Its setting is distinctly backcountry, with steep talus, exposed rock, alpine terrain, and substantial off-trail travel separating the summit from the nearest trailhead.

📏 Elevation & Prominence

Modern Peakbagger data places The Dragtooth’s summit at 12,130.7 feet (3,697.4 meters).

Its topographic prominence is approximately:

288.8 feet (88 meters)

Its true isolation is approximately:

0.36 mile (0.58 kilometer)

Lists of John independently reports a LiDAR elevation of 12,131 feet and approximately 289 feet of rise, making the two modern datasets essentially consistent.

The mountain’s key saddle is approximately 11,842 feet, connecting The Dragtooth toward nearby Matterhorn Peak.

Matterhorn Peak is The Dragtooth’s parent peak and nearest higher neighbor. Matterhorn rises only a short distance southeast along the crest.

The modest prominence figure is therefore best understood in the context of Sawtooth Ridge. The Dragtooth is a distinct climbing summit, but topographically it remains closely tied to the higher Matterhorn Peak.

🪨 Geology

The Dragtooth occupies the rugged granitic landscape of the Sierra Nevada high country.

Much of Yosemite and the surrounding central Sierra is underlain by granitic rocks of the Sierra Nevada Batholith, the enormous collection of plutonic rocks formed as magma cooled deep beneath the Earth’s surface during the Mesozoic Era.

The National Park Service notes that most of Yosemite’s granitic rocks formed during the Cretaceous Period, particularly from roughly 105 to 85 million years ago. Subsequent uplift and erosion eventually exposed these rocks at the surface.

Glaciation then played an important role in shaping the landscape visible today. Repeated periods of ice erosion sharpened ridges, deepened valleys, removed weathered material, and contributed to the spectacular relief of the Sierra high country.

On Sawtooth Ridge, erosion has produced a particularly striking result. Instead of broad domes, The Dragtooth and its neighbors display narrow ridges, abrupt cliffs, notches, pinnacles, and steep rock faces.

Freeze-thaw weathering continues to break exposed alpine rock into blocks and talus, contributing to the loose terrain encountered on many approaches.

🌿 Flora & Fauna

The upper slopes of The Dragtooth rise well into the Sierra Nevada’s alpine zone.

According to the National Park Service, Yosemite’s alpine zone generally begins near 9,500 feet (2,900 meters). Above this elevation, severe winters, short growing seasons, exposed rock, and persistent winds dramatically limit vegetation.

Near the summit of The Dragtooth, plant life is therefore sparse. Much of the landscape consists of:

Exposed rock
Talus
Boulder fields
Small patches of hardy alpine vegetation
Low-growing plants occupying protected cracks and pockets of soil

Lower portions of the Horse Creek approach pass through more vegetated subalpine environments before climbers emerge into increasingly barren terrain.

Wildlife adapted to rocky Sierra high country includes the American pika and yellow-bellied marmot. Pikas are especially associated with talus fields, where rock crevices provide shelter from temperature extremes and predators.

Birds and other mammals also occupy the surrounding wilderness, although wildlife generally becomes less abundant as climbers move into the exposed terrain near the crest.

🥾 Hiking & Climbing Routes

The Dragtooth should not be treated as an ordinary trail hike. Reaching the summit requires backcountry navigation, scrambling, and—depending on the route—technical climbing skills.

Horse Creek Approach

The most common eastern approach begins near Twin Lakes outside Bridgeport.

The Horse Creek Route Trail enters the Hoover Wilderness and leads south toward the Sawtooth Ridge. Climbers approaching Matterhorn Peak and The Dragtooth generally continue beyond the maintained or obvious trail system into increasingly rugged alpine terrain.

Mountain Project describes an approach that follows Horse Creek toward Matterhorn Peak before turning southwest near Horse Creek Tower toward The Dragtooth.

Even before climbing begins, the approach involves considerable elevation gain and demanding mountain terrain.

Southwest Side

Historical Sierra climbing guides describe the traditional route from the southwest as approximately Class 3.

The route approaches the notch separating The Dragtooth from Matterhorn Peak before climbing toward the summit. Older guidebook descriptions sometimes classify portions of the south side as Class 2, but climbers have reported that the final summit blocks require Class 3 scrambling and involve significant exposure.

That distinction is important: a route rated as nontechnical in an older guide should not automatically be interpreted as a simple hike.

North Buttress

The Dragtooth’s north side is much steeper.

A well-known technical route ascends the North Buttress, generally rated approximately YDS III 5.10. Mountain Project describes it as a multi-pitch alpine traditional climb.

Other technical possibilities exist on the mountain’s north-facing cliffs and adjacent ridge.

Sawtooth Traverse

The Dragtooth is also encountered during the formidable Sawtooth Traverse, which follows the jagged crest between Matterhorn Peak and peaks farther northwest along the ridge.

The full traverse involves exposed technical climbing, rappelling, difficult route-finding, and considerable commitment. SummitPost reports that Vern Clevenger and Claude Fiddler completed the first full traverse in 1984.

It is an objective for experienced alpine rock climbers rather than hikers.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Do not judge The Dragtooth solely by its relatively low prominence. Its steep terrain, exposed summit scrambling, long approach, route-finding challenges, and high elevation make it a serious backcountry objective.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

For climbers seeking predominantly dry rock, mid- to late summer through early autumn generally provides the most practical window.

July through September often offers:

Reduced snow coverage
Longer periods of accessible trailhead conditions
More manageable alpine travel
Better chances of dry climbing terrain

Conditions vary greatly from year to year, however. Heavy Sierra winters can leave snowfields and steep snow well into summer.

Earlier-season travel may require an ice axe, crampons, and the experience needed to use them safely. Snow on steep slopes can transform an otherwise straightforward section of scrambling into a mountaineering problem.

Summer also brings the possibility of thunderstorms. Climbers on The Dragtooth have few safe options once committed to an exposed ridge or technical route, making an early start particularly important.

Autumn can provide excellent climbing conditions and fewer insects, but shorter days and early snowstorms become increasing concerns.

Winter and spring ascents demand advanced snow, avalanche, navigation, and mountaineering skills.

Wildflowers in Mono County, California | Christopher Moswitzer

🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions

Matterhorn Peak

Matterhorn Peak rises immediately southeast of The Dragtooth and is its parent peak and nearest higher neighbor.

It is the best-known mountain on this portion of Sawtooth Ridge and shares the Horse Creek approach commonly used to reach The Dragtooth.

Cleaver Peak

Cleaver Peak lies farther along the rugged Sawtooth Ridge system.

Interestingly, The Dragtooth serves as Cleaver Peak’s parent and nearest higher neighbor, illustrating how the mountains of the ridge form a closely interconnected topographic chain.

Blacksmith Peak

Blacksmith Peak is another rugged summit associated with Sawtooth Ridge and is encountered toward the northwestern portion of the classic ridge traverse.

Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks is another major summit of the northern Yosemite high country. It rises southeast of the Matterhorn area and is considerably more topographically prominent than The Dragtooth.

Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes, west of Bridgeport, is the main eastern gateway to this section of the Sierra.

The Horse Creek Trailhead provides access from the Twin Lakes area into the Hoover Wilderness and toward Matterhorn Peak and The Dragtooth.

Hoover Wilderness

The Hoover Wilderness protects much of the spectacular eastern side of the northern Yosemite high country.

Horse Creek is one of the wilderness’s quota trailheads, and overnight visitors should check current Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest permit requirements before beginning a trip.

📜 Climbing History

The Dragtooth has an important place in the early history of Sierra Nevada rock climbing.

The first recorded ascent took place in 1931, when Walter Brem, Glen Dawson, and Jules Eichorn climbed the mountain.

All three belonged to the generation of California climbers who helped transform Sierra mountaineering during the early 1930s.

Historical accounts indicate that Brem, Dawson, and Eichorn were particularly active in the Sawtooth Ridge area during the 1931 season. Their climbing included The Dragtooth, Finger Peaks, and a new route on neighboring Matterhorn Peak.

The ascent occurred during an especially important period in California climbing history, when climbers were beginning to adopt more advanced roped techniques derived partly from European alpinism.

The Dragtooth later became part of another important Sierra climbing objective: the extended Sawtooth Ridge traverse. Vern Clevenger and Claude Fiddler completed the first reported full traverse in 1984.

💡 Fun Facts

The Dragtooth rises to approximately 12,131 feet.
It stands directly northwest of Matterhorn Peak on Sawtooth Ridge.
Modern LiDAR data gives it approximately 289 feet of prominence.
Its nearest higher neighbor is Matterhorn Peak.
The summit lies along the boundary between Mono and Tuolumne counties.
The mountain is associated with both the Yosemite and Hoover wilderness landscapes.
Walter Brem, Glen Dawson, and Jules Eichorn made the first recorded ascent in 1931.
The traditional summit route is generally considered Class 3.
The north side contains much harder technical climbing, including a route rated about 5.10.
The Dragtooth forms part of the highly exposed Sawtooth Traverse.
Its sharp profile is characteristic of one of the most rugged ridgelines in the northern Yosemite region.
The most common eastern access begins near Twin Lakes and follows the Horse Creek drainage.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How high is The Dragtooth?

Modern Peakbagger data gives The Dragtooth an elevation of 12,130.7 feet (3,697.4 meters). Lists of John rounds its LiDAR elevation to 12,131 feet.

Where is The Dragtooth?

The Dragtooth is in California’s Sierra Nevada on Sawtooth Ridge, immediately northwest of Matterhorn Peak. It lies along the Mono–Tuolumne county boundary near Yosemite National Park and the Hoover Wilderness.

What is The Dragtooth’s prominence?

Peakbagger calculates approximately 288.8 feet (88 meters) of topographic prominence.

What is The Dragtooth’s nearest higher neighbor?

Its nearest higher neighbor is Matterhorn Peak, immediately southeast along Sawtooth Ridge.

What is The Dragtooth’s parent peak?

Matterhorn Peak is The Dragtooth’s line parent.

Can you hike to the top of The Dragtooth?

There is no maintained hiking trail to the summit.

The easiest traditional route involves off-trail travel and exposed Class 3 scrambling, so The Dragtooth is better described as a mountaineering objective than a conventional hike.

Is The Dragtooth difficult to climb?

Yes. Even the easiest route involves a long wilderness approach, high elevation, route-finding, loose terrain, scrambling, and exposure.

The mountain’s technical rock routes are substantially harder.

Who first climbed The Dragtooth?

The first recorded ascent was made in 1931 by Walter Brem, Glen Dawson, and Jules Eichorn.

What is the easiest route up The Dragtooth?

Historical climbing guides describe an approach from the southwest, reaching the notch between Matterhorn Peak and The Dragtooth and continuing toward the summit.

The final terrain is generally considered Class 3.

How do climbers reach The Dragtooth?

The usual eastern approach begins at Twin Lakes near Bridgeport and follows the Horse Creek route toward Sawtooth Ridge before leaving the trail for the mountain.

Is The Dragtooth inside Yosemite National Park?

The peak sits along the crest at Yosemite’s northeastern boundary. Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Wilderness lie on the western side of the ridge, while the Hoover Wilderness and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest lie to the east.

When is the best time to climb The Dragtooth?

For dry-rock climbing, late summer and early autumn are generally the most favorable periods. Snow, thunderstorms, wildfire conditions, and early autumn storms can all alter conditions, so current information should always be checked before a trip.

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