Mount Whitney, 14496 ft (4419 m)

Where: Sequoia National Park

Trail head: Mount Whitney trail head, near Whitney Portal

Length: 22 miles round trip

Cumulative elevation gain: 6400 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Reservations required: No

Advance planning typically required for permit: Yes. Please find out more details from Inyo National Forrest Service

Permit requirements: Please find out more details from Inyo National Forrest Service

Price: Please find out the current price from Inyo National Forrest Service

Report date: 2006-07-29

Reported by: Silviu

Driving directions: Take Hwy 120 E into Yosemite, then Interstate 395 to Lone Pine. Then turn right on Whitney Portal Road until the end. Approximately 9-10 hours from the Bay Area, depending on traffic conditions.

Maps: Inyo National Forrest topo map

Trail condition: Very good.

Description and other notes: Mount Whitney and Half Dome are maybe the most popular peaks in the whole Sierra Nevada. Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the contiguous US. Please note that a special Mount Whitney Zone Permit is required for both day hikes and backpacking trips to the peak. If you want only to hike on Mount Whitney, you should follow the Mount Whitney trail. If snow is not presented, it isn't technical at all. However, the famous 96 switchbacks and some portions of the Trail Crest require a lot of physical effort. Unofficially, it is said that only 25-30% of the people who attempt to hike Mount Whitney actually succeed. Because of the risk of being stuck of lightning, you should plan to reach the top before noon. It is common for hikers to start hiking at 2 in the morning of the day they got a permit. If you are a slow hiker and are lucky, you can win an overnight permit and camp along the trail in Outpost Camp or Trail Camp. If you are prepared, you can also climb Mount Muir (14015 ft) and Keeler Needle (14240 ft) which you will pass very close.

Comments

Entering John Muir Wilderness.

Mount Hitchcook and the rest of Sequoia National Park seen from the Trail Crest, close to Mount Muir.

The Trail Crest goes under Mount Muir (14015 ft) and Keeler Needle (14240 ft).

The hut on Mount Whitney.

You can see Lone Pine and White Mountains from Mount Whitney.

At the end of the famous 96 switchbacks you feel closer to Mount Muir.