| 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 |
|---|
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 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.
Can you hike Mt. Whitney solo?
How tall is Mount Whitney in feet?
14,505′
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.
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 bring to Mt. Whitney?
- Backpack.
- WAG Bag.
- Minimum 3-Liter Water Capacity.
- Food for a Full Day.
- Electrolytes.
- Long Sleeve Shirt.
- Fleece, Down, or Synthetic Warm Jacket.
- Rain Gear.
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 I hike Mt. Whitney without training?
I only recommend this for those who are in excellent athletic condition and acclimated to high altitudes because this approach has a high failure rate for summiting due to lack of training or experience
. Bootstrapping is as simple as it seems – lace up your hiking boots and hit the Mt. Whitney Trail.
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 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.
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 above sea level?
14,505′
Does Mt. Whitney have glaciers?
| Whitney | Status Expanding |
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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.
