glad we skipped the recommendation to wear trail runners and went with approach shoes to keep our feet dry. This is where the steep terrain begins. Take US 395 to Lone Pine and then turn west on Whitney Portal Road from the town. 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. Whitney, the 14,505-foot peak above Lone Pine, Calif., is on many hikers' bucket lists. P.P.S- Would highly recommend bringing some warm soup and a warm beverage in some thermoses for your hike! Starting as early as possible will ensure cooler temperatures while hiking. The start of the hike, the Mt Whitney Portal has everything from campsites and waterfalls to a restaurant and fishing lake. Passing by Consultation Lake on the way up to the ridge. This is a long and strenuous out-and-back trek that summits Mt. Overall wasn't that technical however. Since the entire "climb" is a class 1 trail, it is fully detailed in the Route Description section. It starts at Whitney Portal, 13 miles west of the town of Lone Pine, California. Nice campgrounds. Summited 12/18/2020, here's some hopefully useful info for anyone still planning to hike Whitney. There is a dirt lot you can park on there. At 6 miles from the trailhead and the highest possible place to camp, Trail Camp is considered the best site to acclimate to the altitude for overnight hikers. The trail begins at 8,360 Ft, and ends at the 14,508 Ft summit of Mt Whitney. trekking poles are pretty necessarry for those sections, microspikes might help too but we didn't use them. Permits are required year round for camping and there is a limit. Hand and foot warmers worked well. Whitney is the Interagency Visitor Center on Highway 395, just south of the town of Lone Pine on the east side of the Sierra. Whitney in the coming weeks that I can come with, I’ll really appreciate it @Rigodf on IG. Wilderness Permits are required year round for all overnight wilderness travel, even in winter. Echoing everything said in Lock S's review, except that by Sunday several people had been up and down the mountain and put in a solid amount of bootpack. 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. Attempted summit on 12/8! Location of gate 36*35'46.07" N, 118*12'23.25'' W, elevation around 6600 ft. Unfortunately my pace was slow due to elevation and fatigue so I only made it to trail camp. Mount Whitney Hike in Winter. 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). Box 1499 , Sacramento, CA, 95812-1499, Phone: 800-862-2543. We also had trekking poles which helped gauge how far down the snow went. 47050 Generals Highway The Sequoia Parks Conservancy's bookstore. The elevation at the trailhead is 8360' (2550 meters). In 13 miles you will reach the trailhead. The Mt Whitney hike is on every hiker’s bucket list. Mt. There was some snow and ice but nothing unmanageable! Whitney from park roads. If you feel like going for a long hike and don’t mind the altitude this is the perfect day out. Whitney backcountry. Hope this helps! Although forested, the first few miles of the trail are exposed to the blaring sun. Made for BEAUTIFUL scenery though! Unfortunately only made it just before trail camp. Whitney Zone limits day use (100 daily); overnight (Mt. Be sure to check the Red Tape section on the main Mount Whitney page. You can day hike it or backpack it, but you will need a permit (lottery… ), Mt. Just drive to Whitney Portal, 13 miles west of Lone Pine, CA. 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/. As for the permit system, you do still technically need one. Remember, do not attempt if not experienced, acclimated, and very fit!!! PCT: CA Section H - Crabtree Meadow to Tuolumne Meadow, Cottonwood Lakes Campground to Mount Langley, Cottonwood Lake and Long Lake via Cottonwood Lakes and New Army Pass Trail, Muir Lake from the old Cottonwood Trailhead, Upper Alabama Hills Trail to Cyclops Skull Arch, http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/whitney.htm. Whitney Portal. A Southern California woman died Saturday after she fell while hiking solo on the Mount Whitney Trail. Gates were open for us, but the order recently went into effect. Whitney from the west by travelling across the Sierra Nevada range, you should apply for a wilderness permit from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Mt. At 14,505 feet, it’s the highest point in the lower 48. If you get a permit, and you feel like you’re ready to do it, then go for a … Whitney has many potential . Directions from Whitney Portal: Whitney Portal is 13 miles west of the town of Lone Pine on the east side of the Sierras. Also the roads get very icy up there. Passing behind Mt. Easy process. Hiking the Mt. P.S.- Be aware of potential gate closures around Whitney Portal and Inyo County guidelines on visitation due to recently appointed COVID restrictions. It is 8.7 miles along the trail. The most popular route to the summit is by way of the Mount Whitney Trail, which starts at Whitney Portal, at an elevation of 8,360 ft (2,548 m), 13 mi (21 km) west of the town of Lone Pine. Whitney permit from Inyo National Forest. 7/23 - Creek on the north end of … Permits for trips beginning during quota season, May 1st through November 1st can be reserved on www.recreation.gov Cassandra Bravo, 34, was a single mother of two and worked as a nurse at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Start as a group, and stay as . Mount Whitney and the Eastern Sierras from the road up. There are still some creeks running, so you can refill water before hitting Mirror Lake, but I would be prepared with provisions beforehand. - it's probably best to do this as a multi-day trip and camp at Outpost or Trail Camp, even if you start at the trailhead. 93271. At 3.5 miles you'll reach Bighorn Park, a scenic meadow with granite cliffs on both sides. Mt Whitney Trail . Whitney is 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. Anyone doing Mt. 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). Warning: Mountain climbing is inherently dangerous even on so called non-technical trails. Daylight is very short this time of year. Other than that I’d say dress warmly with really good waterproof boots. - as of 12/18/2020, the road is closed about 3.5 miles below the actual trailhead (measuring using directions on google maps). Mt. You can get it online pretty easily and will need to email the Sierra ranger station to send it to you in pdf form once you’ve purchased it. Make sure to bring iodine tabs or a filter. Alternatively, try the daily lottery at the Lone Pine ranger station for last minute openings. Most people who climb Mt. The total round trip distance is 22 miles. However, Mt. When I hiked it, the trail was unbroken from Outpost Camp to the summit so it was extremely tough going. Mt. 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. The last couple hundred feet of trail to the summit is mostly dry. 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. Once again, not super technical if you have experience using snowshoes, but very slow going and tough. Phone #'s: Wilderness Information Line- (760) 873-2485 and Reservation Line- (760) 873-2483. Trail is generally not too hard to follow but some sections where GPS map and strong route finding skills are essential. Summited 12/6, poles are a very good idea due to hard snow and ice on the 99 switchbacks. Whitney is 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. Are permits required for day hike and camping?? We spoke to one other person we encountered (socially distanced, of course) who summitted that day and he said it was cold and windy at the top so use caution. Whitney Ranger District are not cleared of snow or rock fall in winter. Trail just before you hit Lone Pine and then turn west on Whitney Portal: Whitney,... It takes a minimum of 6 days ( one way ) or days. Hundred feet of trail to the car before it got too dark feet, it would have been impossible. P.P.S- would highly recommend bringing some warm soup and a warm beverage some. Idea if you feel like going for a long hike and camping? bring layers, but we it... The Sequoia parks Conservancy 's bookstore offers books and maps for planning hikes to.... And then turn west on Whitney Portal road from the trailhead Whitney trail is 22 with... Takes a minimum of 6 days ( round trip, with an elevation of! Is 13 miles west of Lone Pine Campground with the altitude to hike Whitney perfect out! 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