mount whitney

My wife and I are day hikers so we liked the idea of climbing the highest mountain in the lower 50 in one day then going back to a nice hotel and sitting in the hot tub. It was a great experience! First the lottery. We didn't get any of our requested times. However, once the lottery is over there are many non-prime days available. So we just simply picked the best day for our schedule (in late May) and then watched the trail snow reports in earnest. 3 weeks before we went they were still climbing with ice axes but the trail was pretty much open all the way by late May. We were able to get a Friday one-day permit for 6 people, no problem. We made a week of it and arrived for hiking on Wed. First we checkout the Whitney trail. You can do the first several miles of the trail to Lone Pine lake without a permit so we did that. Beautiful spot. We stayed at the Dow Villa hotel which had a great pool and jacuzzi and some super cheap rooms which shared a bath, which were great for our friends. The next day we aclimated a bit more with a hike up the Mt Langley trail (another 14teener I'd like to do in the future - no permit process like Whitney). Another beautiful location with an ancient forest and 6 small alpine lakes. Great low-key hike and you drive on the road up to 10k ft so it is perfect for aclimating. Then back to the hotel for pizza and jacuzzi.We started for Whitney a bit late at 5 in the morning. There was light enough to see the trail so we put away the head lamps (though we would need them on the return). The hike was beautiful. Each turn brought a more beautiful view. Wildflowers were everywhere. The trail is a steady climb but not too steep. We had a late lunch at 12k ft Trail Camp before the long push up the 99 switch backs to Trail Crest. Then up we went. Here our group of 6 spread out. The altitude kicked everyone's butts. We all made Trail Crest but 2 of our folks stopped there. The last 2 miles to the summit was very hard. Each step very deliberate. At one point both my wife and I were feeling sick and we realized we hadn't eaten anything for a while. Our bodies didn't want it. But we forced down some dried fruit, nuts and a gel pack and we felt so much better. We made the summit, took our pictures and started the long hike down.We ran out of light with about 4 miles to go so out came the head lamps. We did have to refill our 3 liter water packs so I was glad I brought a filter. We made it out just about 10pm. Saturday was spent all day by the pool at the Dow Villa. We had other family come up to stay at the hotel so we had quite a group at the pool. It was a great celebration of the achievement.

If you love to hike, this is a must to hike before you die. I'm a high pointer (hiking to the highest point in every state) and this is been my favorite hike so far. I took the Whitney trail, which is 22 miles round trip, and decided to do it in a day so I wouldn't have to Carrie up a bunch of equipment and only needed a nice light day pack.This hike is very doable for just about anyone. It's a nice gradual ascent up 4900 ft over 11 miles. I made it up-and-down in 11 1/2 hours including breaks. You want to start early enough that you're on your way down from the summit before noon to avoid the nasty storms that can roll in. The trail is very well marked and not very rugged, I did it in tennis shoes which was very comfortable. The only thing you have to consider is the altitude and I was very blessed not to be affected by the altitude except for the last half mile I started getting a little dizzy. The views along the way are spectacular and there's one point where you are hiking along and you come up over this Rocky Ridge and it seems like you're in another world. All of a sudden everything is green, there are lakes and streams it's just beautiful. To say that you've been to the highest point in the 48 states is pretty cool and easy to achieve.

We wanted to summit Mount Whitney but didn't want to enter the permit lottery so opted for a guided group hike which wended through 5 days west of Mount Whitney. It was a great experience with the outdoors, and gave us a chance to acclimate to the altitude over several days (first camp Sunday evening at 10,000 feet, summit on Thursday morning). We chose an outfitter (REI Adventures) that provides mules and wranglers so we only had to carry day packs, we also saw another group (Boy Scouts) that did it fully unsupported.Leaving our last campsite (Guitar Lake) at 5 AM in the dark was quite an experience, and seeing the sun rise over Whitney was awesome. Also helped that we were hiking in the shade the entire way up.I definitely recommend this trip - my husband enjoyed it for the outdoors experience with the summit as an add-on; I was all about the summit and the outdoors was a way to get there. We were both very satisfied. A very neat way to summit a (reasonably) accessible peak.

Hiked to the summit on July 22, alone and in celebration of my 60th birthday.This was a beautiful hike and although I did not prepare as most recommend, I am in excellent physical condition (I run on the treadmill 8 or so miles most days). Had a great time and although the hike was challenging, it was considerably easier than I expected. Left my home in southern Orange County, California, at 10:30 pm on July 21. Arrived at trail head at 3 am and started hiking. Took 5 and a half hours to reach the summit (passed more than 60 other hikers), spent 30 minutes on top, and took 4 and a half hours to get down. Kept expecting the altitude to really slow me down, but it was never a problem even though I had made no attempt to acclimate. Picked up something from Carls jr in Lone Pine and drove home, arriving at 6:30 pm. It was a tiring but thoroughly enjoyable 20 hours.

There are two options - do it in a day or take several days. I have done both. Last time, due to the convoluted lottery system, I did it in a day. The advantage is you only need a day pack which serves to speed up the hike. Less weight equals greater speed. The downside is the hike is faster and it is difficult to enjoy the lakes and stream.Most important, on a day hike there is less time to acclimate to the elevation. Either way do plan to camp at Whitney Portal and take the time to have pancakes at the cafe. If you plan to do it in a day use a headlamp and start at 2 or 3 in the morning. It will take longer to reach the top than you plan.Savor the hike. Speed is important but take your time and enjoy the bucket list experience.

Located on the sparsely-vegetated eastern side of the Sierra Nevada range, Mt. Whitney is monstrous but offers little to do unless one wishes to take a lengthy (approx. 22 mile) hike to it. The best vantage point for families with young children is from the Visitor Center in Lone Pine, CA.

you get a great view from the visitor center just south of Lone Pine Ca on Hwy 395 to see the highest mountain in the lower 48 states.

I had a blast doing this climb. During the summer the mountaneering route is a hybrid between a trek and a climb. I suppose the technical description of the ascent is grade 3 rock scramble, so no technical experience required but if you are a seasoned trekker and/or physically fit and looking to expand your expereince and skills you will not be disappointed. There is nothing boring about this 11 hour rock scrmable (on hands and knees) up and down Mt. Whitney. We did the ascent from and back to Boy Scout Lake. Overall trip was 3 days (last day was more of a half day). The mountain is 14,508 feet so altitude and its effects on the body come into play but are manageable. The views are spectacular.I did the trip with SWS Mountain Guides. They were excellent (Casey and Matthew) and I highly recommend them.

50% of the people who try to summit Whitney will not make it. Among the challenges you need to overcome: the highly restrictive permit application process, physically demanding conditions, extreme weather, dehydration, and if you can overcome all of those things, you never know if acute mountain sickness (altitude sickness) might set in. I am very thankful to have summited last October. We arrived in Lone Pine on a Tuesday night, camped out at the portal the first night (8000'). Be sure to say hello to Doug if you stop at the Portal store, he's one of the good guys. We let the portal at 10 am and ascended to Trail Camp by Wednesday night at 4pm (12,000'). We summited on Thursday (14,505') by leaving at 4:45 am and made the trek all the way down by 7:30 pm. We took Diamox to help with AMS and stayed well-hydrated and loaded with caffeine and ibuprofen. My most difficult time on the mountain came at 10,000 ft, but after making it past that point, I was issue free with the exception of a persistent dull headache while 11,000 ft. I would HIGHLY recommend planning this trip well in advance, especially if you will be flying to this location. I started planning more than a year in advance. The permits are hard to obtain, and I would hold out for an overnight pass rather than a 24 hour one. Rent a bear canister from the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitors Center for $5 as they are required gear in the Whitney Zone. I would try to eat as much as possible while climbing in lower altitudes as I have heard AMS makes you lose your appetite, and you'll need the energy. Water sources beyond Trail Camp are scarce to non-existent. Plan on taking 3 liters of water per person to get you up the 97 switchbacks and the final 5 miles to the summit. We got hit with a blizzard near Trail Crest (13,600') but weren't about to turn back. I would also start early from Trail Camp as unpredictable weather can pop up as noon approaches. This was a killer experience, truly extreme, highly rewarding, a great team effort, and provided unrivaled views of the Sierras and beyond. As they say: The summit is optional, the parking lot is mandatory. Be safe and take your time.

Beautiful, varied scenery on a nice trail, a bit scary on the ridges, but breathtaking to see over the crest. Of course, the bad news is you have to join lots of others along the way.

This is a gorgeous peak. One can climb it the hard way (East face) or take the longer trail - allow at least two days and get reservations way in advance. Even if one just goes to the base at Whitney Portal, the spectacular eastern face, glorified by a creek and abundant conifers, is well worth the steep and winding drive. If open, get a Whitney Birger while you're there.

Had the grandparents here from Virginia and had to show them Lone Pine and Mt. Whitney. Of course you have to stop at 8500 feet, but the drive and the views along the way are breathtaking. Take a camera and make sure you go on a clear day. Be sure you stop at the lookouts along the way. You won't be sorry. Take a hike for a little while up the trail just to get a feel of what the hike might be like. But don't go far you will be fined and turned around, you have to have a permit to hike the whole trail.

I'm sure fans of western movies (or the old western TV shows) will recognize the scenery leading up to Mr. Witney. The road is steep and in the summer months (where temps easily exceed 100 degrees) it can cause cars to over-heat. In the spring and fall there is less car traffic but the weather can be chancy: ice flurries in November or biting wind. There are really no facilities after Lone Pine if you take El Portal Road....so make a bathroom stop in the quaint little town unless you don't mind using pit toilets in a few of the undeveloped campsites dotting the route up to Mt. Whitney. Make sure you bring a camera because, as stated, the views are really something to see. The minarets that flank Mt. Whitney make for some great photos.

What a great spot to visit. We went up for sunrise and the colours and view was spectacular. It reminded my of the Dolomites with the grey rock and was beautiful.Plus you are in a bear zone and we got to see deer. Any wildlife is good.If you are in the Lone Pine region you MUST drive up to to the base.

This is my first and last backpacking trip. You need a permit for this hike. 4 of us were expert hikers and 5 of us were not. I'm 41 and I'm athletic and this hike was tough. First, I'm grateful that we hiked over 3 days. I can't imagine hiking 22 miles in one day. I had no problems with altitude because I was able to acclimate by hiking the trail in 3 days. I saw many people who were hiking the trail in one day and they did not look good. I wonder if they were able to enjoy the beauty around them.We camped at Whitney portal for one night then started the hike the next day. The first 3 miles were moderate. The last 3 miles to trail camp was tough, going up and up. Trail camp was stunning. It took me about 7 hours to reach Trail camp. There are no outhouses here or on the trail. The last outhouse was at the start of the trail. Also, my friend had a water pump with a filter and that's what we used to get water.At 8:30am The next day my hike started with the 97 switchbacks. Ugh! The view at Trail crest was amazing. Many people told me that the view at the summit was just as amazing so that thought kept me hiking. The hike was long. It didn't seem like there was an end in sight. Then I finally reached the summit at 12:40pm. It was beautiful. I lingered way to long at the summit waiting for others that it started to sprinkle rain. Not good. It took us a long time to get back to trail camp for the night. Well, it rained while I was going down the 97 switchbacks. I was wearing my ski parka but I had left my rain cover in my tent. The rain made the trail very slippery. I was happy I made it to the summit, but I was miserably cold. Make sure you prepare for all weather. And don't forget your camelback.The last day was thankfully sunny. It took me less than 5 hours to hike down to Whitney portal where we had greasy french fries and a beer.My friend who is 57 and out of shape, was exhausted after the hike but she made it to the top. I recommend this hike for stunning views but this is a once in a lifetime trip for me.