mount whitney trail

Summited 12/18/2020, here's some hopefully useful info for anyone still planning to hike Whitney. I normally enjoy steep uphills, but the hard slippery snow made it real slow going. Passing by Consultation Lake on the way up to the ridge. Whitney, the 14,505-foot peak above Lone Pine, Calif., is on many hikers' bucket lists. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from April until October. Start as a group, and stay as . There is a dirt lot you can park on there. Box 1499 , Sacramento, CA, 95812-1499, Phone: 800-862-2543. There is some prep work you need to do, like getting your Mt Whitney permit and dealing with the altitude. Beautiful overall and I hope to attempt again in the future! Hand and toe warmers came in handy for stops. we thought it seemed unusually easy, but those 99 switchbacks got us. Whitney. The weather was beautiful! Thousands enjoy hiking Mount Whitney each year for premiere Serra Nevada views, whether on the lower trails on the mountain’s flanks or on one of the major approaches to the I can go into details about wilderness permits, the lottery system, campground availability, and other accommodations in Whitney Portal, but that's best left to the U.S. government (believe it or not). The elevation at the summit is 14,494' (4418 meters). It was gorgeous!! As far as trails go in the lower 48, this is one for the books! I didn’t use micro spikes cause my boots grip well but it wouldn’t hurt to bring just in case. After Outpost camp the snow gets deep and snowshoes and trekking poles are necessary!!! The Mt Whitney Trail is a well maintained 11 mile foot path to the summit of Mt Whitney. Muir on a spectacular switchbacking well-maintained and well-traveled trail. History of the Mount Whitney Trail Mt. Made for BEAUTIFUL scenery though! It looks like taking some microspikes or crampons is ideal based on all the ice we saw. Summited 12/20/2020. Unfortunately my pace was slow due to elevation and fatigue so I only made it to trail camp. Mount Whitney Trail is a 36.2 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail averages 550' of elevation gain per mile and features two designated campsites along the way, the generally uncrowded Outpost Camp (10,360'), which is situated in a nicely sheltered meadow beside some running streams, and the much more popular Trail Camp (12,039'), an exposed, rocky field at the base of the infamous "97 switchbacks." The Mount Whitney Trail is a trail that climbs Mount Whitney. Whitney can be most directly reached by a 10.7 mile (17.1 km) trail from Whitney Portal, 13 miles (21 km) west of the town of Lone Pine on the east side of the Sierra. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from April until October. Remember, do not attempt if not experienced, acclimated, and very fit!!! Whitney. trekking poles are pretty necessarry for those sections, microspikes might help too but we didn't use them. Mount Whitney Trail, Lone Pine: See 119 reviews, articles, and 169 photos of Mount Whitney Trail, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 17 attractions in Lone Pine. our hydration pack hoses froze a few times but we got them to unthaw throughout the day. The Mt Whitney hike is on every hiker’s bucket list. Many who visit these parks are interested in seeing Mt. Mount Whitney and the Eastern Sierras from the road up. Since the entire "climb" is a class 1 trail, it is fully detailed in the Route Description section. There are still some creeks running, so you can refill water before hitting Mirror Lake, but I would be prepared with provisions beforehand. Mount Whitney Trails. Normally not a problem but boy that cold really got to us. Three Rivers, CA Climb along the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek along several long switchbacks. You have the opportunity to peak through them down to the valley you climbed up through but becareful as they are cliffs and if you fall you will die. Whitney out-and-back in one day, but given the rigor and the length of the trail, a very early start from about 2-4am is recommended, as well as significant prior training for the long day. First called Fisherman’s Peak after the group of fishermen that reached the summit in 1873, California's Mount Whitney stands at 14,505 feet and is the highest summit in the contiguous United States. Kings Canyon- West of Sierra Crest. Not a cloud in the sky until afternoon! Overall the bootpack made the hike non-technical and easy to follow. Whitney Trail. There shouldn't be avalanche risk on the route this early but I'm no expert so talk to the folks at the visitor center and https://www.esavalanche.org/. The shortest and most popular route to climb Mt. Our first attempt at a winter accent. … Directions to Whitney Portal: If you feel like going for a long hike and don’t mind the altitude this is the perfect day out. alpine start, trail was easy going up to outpost camp area. For up to date conditions the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center is probably your best bet. Dogs are actually allowed on this trail up to Trail Crest (13,777'), but they may not be your best friend after the 97 switchbacks! You could spend a lot of time just camping here and taking in the sites without even going on the Mt. When I missed stepping through what was already packed, my foot was sinking maybe 6-18" depending on where along the trail I was. In Spring and into early Summer, expect snow and ice on the trail which makes for more technical conditions often requiring microspikes and potentially crampons and ice axes (with knowledge of how to use them. Mt. quite windy and cold during that section all the way up to trail crest. Not too windy below 12,000 ft. Clouds rolled in around 11:30 am. Whitney in the coming weeks that I can come with, I’ll really appreciate it @Rigodf on IG. It was November, and I was turning 30 years old & I had decided I was going to do something unique for my birthday. Once again, not super technical if you have experience using snowshoes, but very slow going and tough. Whitney has many potential . It really is amazing to look at the contrast between the broad western slopes of the summit compared to the jagged cliffs dropping down to the eastern side. Whitney … Mount Whitney : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost A chain of mountains that runs north/south through the center of Sequoia National Park called the Great Western Divide blocks views of Mt. The start of the hike, the Mt Whitney Portal has everything from campsites and waterfalls to a restaurant and fishing lake. overall a long hike so come prepared! Many roads on Mt. - Overall conditions: from the trailhead to Outpost Camp, the trail is mostly compacted snow which presents no particular difficulties. Muir towards Mt. wilderness permit from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Definitely recommend having experience dealing with cold weather and long treks through snow if attempting in the near future. Google maps does have the trail and you can download the map offline, it is pretty accurate. This is a long and strenuous out-and-back trek that summits Mt. The total round trip distance is 22 miles. Other than that I’d say dress warmly with really good waterproof boots. Whitney Zone limits day use (100 daily); overnight (Mt. Permits for trips beginning during quota season, May 1st through November 1st can be reserved on www.recreation.gov Areas to camp around Mt Whitney: Sunrise on Mt Whitney as seen from the Lone Pine Campground. The summit of Mt Whitney is only the halfway point, or for us, less than the halfway point. At Whitney Portal, find the trailhead for the Mount Whitney Trail located below the Whitney Portal Store. 47050 Generals Highway Whitney / Portal Trail for a bit. Mt Whitney Aerial Slide-show also check out our Mt Whitney Aerial Flight Video (a moving view completely around Mt Whitney and its surrounding neighbors). The best place from which to see Mt. Mt. There is a truck that will maintain the roads 8-4pm but if you’re getting an alpine start it might be a good idea to take chains if the weather looked dicey the day before your attempt. Whitney zone, including day-hikers, are required to obtain a permit. Mount Whitney requires a decent training regime, but the main Mount Whitney Trail is a class 1 hike all of the way through. The hike is about 22 mi (35 km) round trip with an elevation gain of over 6,100 ft (1,859 m). Easy process. I was pretty much pushed to my physical limit. At 14,505 feet, it’s the highest point in the lower 48 and is one of those rare high peaks that you can hike to without any mountaineering skills. Attempted summit on 12/8! It takes a minimum of 6 days (one way) or 10 days (round trip) to complete. Up to mile 3.8, the Mount Whitney Trail is fairly nice and contains pleasant views, although there are plenty of switchbacks as you rise in elevation. Trail is pretty visible. Alternatively, try the daily lottery at the Lone Pine ranger station for last minute openings. Whitney Trail Welcome to Mount Whitney As you plan for your trip, remember your group’s safety comes first, the summit is optional. Whitney backcountry. The Mount Whitney Trail is the shortest and most popular hiking route. TRAIL GUIDE - for an in-depth write up on hiking from the Trailhead at Whitney Portal to the Summit, please check out our page on the Mt Whitney Trail . Passing behind Mt. This is where the steep terrain begins. Whitney Ranger District are not cleared of snow or rock fall in winter. The Mt. but will do again when weather is better. Whitney Lottery, Wilderness Permit Office - Inyo National Forest. This can be done in one day or, if you get an overnight permit, you can stop at various points along the way to camp overnight. Make sure your snowshoes have that serrated metal edge on the bottom to grip rocks, because you can't afford to take them on and off all the time. Take US 395 to Lone Pine and then turn west on Whitney Portal Road from the town. Mount Whitney Mountaineer's Route is a 8.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The last couple hundred feet of trail to the summit is mostly dry. Light dusting of snow on the trail just before you hit Lone Pine Lake on up. Whitney Trail is the most accessible, fastest and most popular; the other approaches require greater time, cover more distance, or mountaineering expertise and technical gear. I plan to come back in the future and start earlier to give more time to make it to the summit. Whitney Trail, 60 daily); Trail Crest exits (west entry - east exit, 25 daily) while quotas are in effect. If you begin in Sequoia National Park and approach Mt. You'll be on a clear trail up the more gradual western side of Mt. - Outpost Camp to Mirror Lake- deep snow, trail easy to follow however. Whitney permit from Inyo National Forest. I won’t say that everyone can do this hike, even I’ve turned around on it before. - Mirror Lake to Trail Camp- alternating deep, windblown drifts and exposed rock. Great pick-me-ups along the way when you get cold! Whitney start from the east side of the Sierra and remain in Inyo National Forest throughout their hike. Bring layers, but overall not too cold if you keep moving. No hard/compacted snow or ice however so I didn't use ice or crampons. The Night I Thought Would Be My Last My first backpacking trip was an exciting prospect, but little did I know what a disaster it would turn out to be. The hike to get there on the main Whitney Trail is 22 miles with 6,000 feet of elevation gain. Mount Whitney Trail is a 22.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Mt. Hiking poles are strongly recommended, as are multiple layers with at least one being wind- and waterproof, and definitely be prepared to purify or filter water along the way. In 13 miles you will reach the trailhead. Ice axes and crampons are needed in spring and early summer, but technical climbing equipment is not usually necessary between mid-July and early October. The Sequoia Parks Conservancy's bookstore. A Southern California woman died Saturday after she fell while hiking solo on the Mount Whitney Trail. Summiting Mt Whitney is on every hiker’s bucket list. You can find most information you will need for climbing Mt. Directions from Whitney Portal: Whitney Portal is 13 miles west of the town of Lone Pine on the east side of the Sierras. 7/23 - Creek on the north end of … Gates were open for us, but the order recently went into effect. Mt. There was some snow and ice but nothing unmanageable! Summiting Mt Whitney is on every hiker’s bucket list. Cassandra Bravo, 34, was a single mother of two and worked as a nurse at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Whitney attracts visitors from all over the world and is one of those most popular climbs in the entire country. Hand and foot warmers worked well. All hikers entering the Mt. But before I try and talk you from a badass day hike into a big pack backpacker, let’s talk about the mountain and the Mt. Whitney trails are closed even to hikers with permits © (Mary Forgione) The stone building atop Mt. Contact the Mt. Only the right lane going up was blocked, so you can still drive around and up to the trailhead. Whitney Hike is one of THE MOST popular trails in California and the US, because Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, meaning, outside of flying to Alaska this is the tallest peak you can hike here in the lower 48 states. hand warmers were essential to keep hands and hip flexors warm. Location of gate 36*35'46.07" N, 118*12'23.25'' W, elevation around 6600 ft. Plenty of parking here along the road and in the parking lot but remember that bears have been known to frequent this trailhead so don't leave any food out if you camp here the night before climbing. Mt. Are permits required for day hike and camping?? Turned around after spending some time there to get back to the car before it got too dark. It starts at Whitney Portal, 13 miles west of the town of Lone Pine, California. Cassandra Bravo, 34, had gone hiking … Starting as early as possible will ensure cooler temperatures while hiking. A nice waterfall coming down from Mirror Lake to Bighorn Park where there are campsites if you were to do this climb in two days. Overall wasn't that technical however. Warning: Mountain climbing is inherently dangerous even on so called non-technical trails. The trail begins at 8,360 Ft, and ends at the 14,508 Ft summit of Mt Whitney. Pass Lone Pine Lake at 2.8 miles. 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