How Lon To Hike Nt Whitney?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

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.

How long does it take to climb Mt Whitney?

Mt. Whitney Trail starts high at 8,600 feet and ascends gently over the course of its 6,000 vertical feet gain in elevation. The average of 550-feet in elevation gain per mile makes for a relatively gentle ascent.

For fast hikers, the ascent can be done in about 5 hours, with about 7 to 8 hours for the average hiker

.

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 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.

How do I prepare for Mt Whitney hike?

  1. Prepare by hiking 8-10 miles per week with 5000-6000 feet of elevation gain.
  2. Run 10-14 miles per week.
  3. Focus on building leg strength.
  4. Be able to carry a 40 lb pack for a two day climb.

How many miles is the Mt 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.

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.

How tall is Mount Whitney in feet?

14,505′

Do you need a permit to hike Mount Whitney?


No Walk up Permits

Permits for Mt Whitney Day Use and Mt Whitney Trail Overnight are by reservation only. Space from cancelations return to the website and can be booked as late as the day of the trip. Note: You must start on the specific entry date.

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.

What to know before hiking Mount Whitney?

  • Mount Whitney Can Be Climbed as a Day Hike or Overnight Adventure.
  • There’s Hiking Season and There’s Mountaineering Season.
  • Mount Whitney Permits are Highly Competitive During Quota Season.
  • Check out more great hikes in the USA.
  • Acclimating Beforehand Greatly Increases Your Chances of Success.

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.

What should I wear to Mt. Whitney?

  • Base layer.
  • Synthetic second/outer layer (pants that zip off to shorts are good)
  • Fleece.
  • Windbreaker.
  • Light gloves.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Wind proof hat.
  • Sock liners.

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.

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)

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.

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.

What Mile is Mt. Whitney on PCT?

Explore this

116.70 mile

, point to point trail near Inyokern, California. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 56 h 6 min to complete.

Can you hike Mt. Whitney right now?

When free of snow, it provides a strenuous, non-technical route to the summit of Mt. Whitney. Additional skills and equipment are necessary for safe travel when snow and ice are present.

The trail is usually relatively snow-free from late June to mid-October

.

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.

What should I bring to Mt. Whitney?

  1. Backpack.
  2. WAG Bag.
  3. Minimum 3-Liter Water Capacity.
  4. Food for a Full Day.
  5. Electrolytes.
  6. Long Sleeve Shirt.
  7. Fleece, Down, or Synthetic Warm Jacket.
  8. Rain Gear.

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.

How tall is Mount Whitney above sea level?

14,505′

Does Mt. Whitney have glaciers?

Whitney Terminus Moraine Status Expanding

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.

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.