How Long Is Mt Witney Hike?

Most day hikers choose the classic Mt. Whitney Trail. The

22-mile

round-trip hike will challenge even very fit hikers. Expect to hike 12 to 14 hours to the summit and back.

Can you hike Mt Whitney in a day?

Mt Whitney Trail Day Hike

Most people tackle Mt Whitney as a 22 mile round-trip day hike. It sounds long but is

very doable with the proper training

. Your chances for getting a permit on the day hike are also generally the best. There’s also a great sense of accomplishment in hiking Mt Whitney in a day.

Is hiking Mt Whitney hard?

If you want to hike Mt. Whitney, you should know that the Mt. Whitney trail is

extremely difficult

, especially if you try to do it in just one day (as many do). The trail is 20 miles long, with about 6,600 feet of total elevation gain, which is A LOT for most hikers if they haven’t trained appropriately.

How many miles is Mount Whitney hike?

Mt. Whitney Trail climbs over 6,000 feet in

11 miles

. When free of snow, it provides a strenuous, non-technical route to the summit of Mt. Whitney.

How do I prepare for Mt. Whitney?

Prepare by

hiking 8-10 miles per week with 5000-6000 feet of elevation gain

. Run 10-14 miles per week. Focus on building leg strength. Be able to carry a 40 lb pack for a two day climb.

How tall is Mount Whitney in feet?

14,505′

Do you need oxygen to climb Mount Whitney?

Supplementary Oxygen is usually used at very high altitude, like above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) in the Himalayas.

It will do nothing for you on Mt. Whitney except waste your money

. The fastest cure for altitude sickness is to quickly go to a much lower altitude.

Can you hike Mt Whitney solo?

It’s very possible to climb Mount Whitney solo

, and many hikers prefer it. That being said, I always prefer the buddy system when possible. While the trail is generally easy to follow, it becomes slightly ambiguous at a few points and it’s good to have buddy in the event of unexpected illness or injury.

What happens if you hike Mt Whitney without a permit?

You do need a permit to hike up Whitney and any nearby mountain in the summer. If you don’t have a permit,

rangers will cite you and turn you back

.

Are there bears on Mt. Whitney?

Whitney and the Whitney Portal area, like most of the Sierras are home to

many Black Bears

and a lot of Black Bear activity.

How much does it cost to climb Mt. Whitney?

Taking on the famous hike to Mount Whitney — one of the best hikes in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and one of the best treks in the world —requires a permit. Permits are awarded on a random basis through a special lottery that takes place every year and costs

$15 per person

to apply.

Where should I stay before hiking Mt. Whitney?

Whitney, you are going to likely need a place to stay before your hike. There are two chain hotels in Lone Pine (The town closest to Mt. Whitney),

a Best Western and a Comfort Inn

. We stayed at the Best Western our first night before heading to our campsite at the Whitney Portal.

Can you climb Mt. Whitney in the winter?

Whitney are required all year but

in the winter months from November 1st to May 1st

there is no quota or lottery and permits can be picked up at the ranger station in Lone Pine. Climbing Mt.

Is there snow on Mt. Whitney in June?

May and June –

There is always snow on Mt. Whitney in June, especially in early June

. Do not go in June or before unless you are prepared for mountaineering conditions. July – Depending on the snowpack, there still may be snow on the trail, but overall it should be clear.

Can you drive to the top of Mount Whitney?

There is more than one route to the summit of Mount Whitney

, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States. The route from Whitney Portal is a little under 22 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 6,134 feet.

Do you need crampons for Mt. Whitney?

You should expect to need crampons

and an ice axe. Based on the record current snowpack in that area right now the section of the trail known as the “switchbacks” will just be an approximately 45+ degree snow and ice slog.

Can you climb Mount Whitney without training?

Whitney in California with absolutely no preparation, and blog about it. Decidedly out-of-shape fraternity brothers Scott and Ben (let’s leave last names out of this) leave this May—permits already in hand—to hike the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states with no training or preparation.

How much water should I bring on Mount Whitney?

Most people will drink between

5-7 liters

of water while hiking Mt. Whitney. DO NOT carry all of that at one time! Only hike with about 2-3 liters of water, then filter.

How tall is Mount Whitney above sea level?

14,505′

Does Mt. Whitney have glaciers?

What’s the highest peak in Southern California?

San Gorgonio Mountain

is the highest peak in Southern California at 11,503 feet.

Is Mt Whitney a scary hike?

Hiking Mount Whitney at any time other than July through early September can be extremely dangerous for those who are not prepared or experienced

. Short days and cold temperatures make late September and October very challenging, while from November through April the mountain is subjected to extreme winter conditions.

Is there cell service on Mt Whitney?

Yes to all 3

, at least for me with AT&T. To add, many of the high peaks in the sierra will also have service. I’ve sent snapchats from the summits of Williamson and Russell.

How steep is Whitney?

Can you hike Whitney in March?

Only about 160 hikers are allowed on the trail per day

.

Lottery winners are announced in March. If you’re one of the lucky ones to win, you can purchase the actual permit starting April 1st.

Can you hike Mt. Whitney in March?

I’ve dayhiked/climbed Whitney in all months of the year.

The hardest months are February and March when storms are typically at their peak

. You’ll have a better shot in December than January. Snowshoes will usually be required during these months (in addition to crampons & ice axe).