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. However, you can also backpack this trail for a more enjoyable experience!
Can I hike Mt. Whitney without training?
The Mt Whitney hike is on every hiker’s bucket list. 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
. There is some prep work you need to do, like getting your Mt Whitney permit and dealing with the altitude.
How hard is the Mt. Whitney mountaineers route?
Experience this 8.80 mile, out and back trail near Lone Pine, California.
Generally considered a challenging route
, it takes an average of 7 h 43 min to complete. This trail is great for rock climbing, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring.
Can you hike Mount Whitney in one day?
Most hikers try to do the 22-mile round-trip hike to Mount Whitney in one day
. With the right amount of resources and preparation, the round-trip hike will take you between 13-16 hours.
How do I prepare for Mt. Whitney hike?
- 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.
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.
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.
Do they check permits on Mt. Whitney?
There are now rangers checking permits also on the North Fork/ Mountaneering route
. They have vastly improved that route, but the catch is that now everybody walks the same way up the “mountaineering” route and it’s therefore easier for rangers to check everyone’s permit.
Do you need permit to hike Mt. Whitney?
A wilderness permit for hiking or backpacking is required year round to visit Mt. Whitney
. This permit is valid for one day only, from midnight to midnight.
Is Mt Whitney a technical climb?
The Mount Whitney Trail is well maintained and
does not require any technical mountaineering experience during the late Summer and early Fall seasons
.
What gear do you need to climb Mount Whitney?
| [ ] Long underwear top and bottom (light or medium weight) | [ ] Dark glasses, UV rated, wrap around or with side protection | [ ] Double lens ski goggles or spare glasses | [ ] Two wide-mouth plastic water bottles, 1 liter capacity. Optional, bring insulating covers | [ ] Pocket knife |
|---|
How long is the Mount Whitney trail?
| Mount Whitney Trail | Trail Crest, at 13,600 ft (4,150 m) | Length 11 mi (18 km) | Location Inyo National Forest, Inyo County, California | Trailheads Whitney Portal |
|---|
How tall is Mount Whitney in feet?
14,505′
How much water should I bring to Mt. 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 much does it cost to hike Mt. Whitney?
The transaction fee to apply for the permit lottery costs $6 per application. If you are lucky enough to receive a Mt. Whitney permit, you will then need to pay an additional
$15 per person in your group by April 30th
. If you do not pay by this date, your permit will be canceled.
How hard is Mt Baldy hike?
This 11 mile Mt Baldy hike brings you to the highest point in LA at 10,064 feet. With almost 4000 feet of climbing, it’s
a tough yet popular hike
, and well worth the effort.
What should I eat before a long hike?
- A peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat bread.
- Greek yogurt with berries.
- Oatmeal with low fat milk and fruit.
- Apple and peanut butter.
- A handful of nuts and raisins (2 parts raisins, 1 part nuts)
Do you need a bear canister for Mt. Whitney?
To discourage bears from entering your camp at Whitney Portal, finish your meals and store all food items in the lockers by nightfall.
Bear canisters are required on the Mt. Whitney Trail from Memorial Weekend to November 1
. Bear canisters are the only effective means to store your food.
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.
What time does Mt Whitney Trail start?
Whitney trailhead between
1am-3am
. You’ll start hiking uphill and will soon enter the John Muir Wilderness area, where you might get some nice sunrise views. After about 3 miles, you’ll pass Lone Pine Lake, and after that, you’ll officially enter the Mt. Whitney Zone where permits are required.
What’s the closest town to Mount Whitney?
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.
Does Mt. Whitney have snow?
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.
Is there cell phone service on Mt Whitney?
At the summit we were able to connect with family and friends. If you are in a position to be looking directly at one of the Lone Pine area cell towers, you might get a cell hit, but don’t count on it.
I was at the Portal a couple of weeks ago, and got service there
. I have Verizon and an S4 phone.
How hard is it to get a permit for Mount Whitney?
The difficulty is due to the high demand for reservations
. (and even if you have no intention of going to the top, you will still need a permit for day hiking or overnighting on Mt Whitney).
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.
