What is the name of the highest peak in the contiguous United States?

The highest peak in the contiguous United States is Mount Whitney, which rises to an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 meters) in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. It is located within the Inyo National Forest and is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers. The prominence of Mount Whitney as the tallest peak in the contiguous U.S. often draws attention due to the challenging routes that lead to its summit and its breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

As for the other choices, while Mount Rainier is an iconic and prominent peak in Washington, it is the highest mountain in the state but not the highest in the contiguous U.S. Pikes Peak, located in Colorado, is well known but stands at about 14,115 feet (4,302 meters), making it shorter than Mount Whitney. Mount Elbert, also in Colorado, is the tallest peak in the entire Rocky Mountain range at 14,440 feet, but it is not in the contiguous U.S. context specified in the question about Mount Whitney. Thus, Mount Whitney's prominence as the highest point in the contiguous states is well-established based on its height and geographical positioning.