About the Hike: Extremely strenuous hike requiring ample preparation for high altitude physical activity. For those with acute altitude issues, the best approach is to hike this over 3-4 days, with sleeping altitudes (camping) at 8600ft (base camp/Lone Pine), 10400ft (Outpost Camp) and 12000ft (Trail Camp), and final summit (14500ft) on the 4th day. Weather conditions are icy and cold for most of the year. Best times to hike are during the months of July, August and September.
Time: Total hike time = 20hrs 10 min
Distance: 22mi round-trip, elevation gain: from 8600ft (trailhead) to 12000ft (trail camp) to 14500ft (summit)
Driving and other Info:
Follow I-215N to I-15N to 395N. The city of Lone Pine is the portal to the Whitney trailhead. Lone Pine is about 160mi up on state highway 395N north of the I-15/395 junction. Take the Whitney portal road 13mi west from 395 (turn left at the only traffic light in Lone Pine). Whitney Portal shop, trailhead and campsites are at the end.
Our Hike: In one word, gruelling. We learnt several lessons on how best to hike this mountain. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are very useful. We didn't sleep well at Trail Camp and this made our hike all the more tougher.Day 1 Start: 1.10pm, End: 8.15pm, hike time = 7hrs 5min;
Day 2 Start: 7am, Summit: 12.07pm, Start back: 12.30pm, End: 8:30pm, hike time = 13hrs 5min
Map of the trail.
Do
- Acclimatize properly (and slowly)
- Hike about 500-700ft above your sleeping elevation for any particular day
- Hydrate frequently (consume around 4L per person per day in 60-70F weather)
- Consume instant energy foods (e.g. chocolates) and salted foods (e.g. crackers, trail mix) frequently in small amounts
- Breathe properly, good deep inhales and exhales every so often
- Pack your gear in advance, planning for adequate but not overburdening amounts of food and gear
- Prepare for adverse weather conditions, with emergency supplies
- Leave all your camping equipment at Trail Camp while going up the to peak and pick them up on the way down
Don't
- Carry more than 2L of water. Water is available at plenty of locations on the trail and can be easily filtered. At higher altitudes, the snow-melt is pure and requires no filtering. More than 2L of water weighs you down.
- Assume that you can hike it in a short timeframe without proper acclimatization. You will not only have a bad experience, but also will regret not being able to enjoy the beauty of the sierras.
Pictures:
Time: Total hike time = 20hrs 10 min
Distance: 22mi round-trip, elevation gain: from 8600ft (trailhead) to 12000ft (trail camp) to 14500ft (summit)
Driving and other Info:
Follow I-215N to I-15N to 395N. The city of Lone Pine is the portal to the Whitney trailhead. Lone Pine is about 160mi up on state highway 395N north of the I-15/395 junction. Take the Whitney portal road 13mi west from 395 (turn left at the only traffic light in Lone Pine). Whitney Portal shop, trailhead and campsites are at the end.
Our Hike: In one word, gruelling. We learnt several lessons on how best to hike this mountain. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are very useful. We didn't sleep well at Trail Camp and this made our hike all the more tougher.Day 1 Start: 1.10pm, End: 8.15pm, hike time = 7hrs 5min;
Day 2 Start: 7am, Summit: 12.07pm, Start back: 12.30pm, End: 8:30pm, hike time = 13hrs 5min
Map of the trail.
Do
- Acclimatize properly (and slowly)
- Hike about 500-700ft above your sleeping elevation for any particular day
- Hydrate frequently (consume around 4L per person per day in 60-70F weather)
- Consume instant energy foods (e.g. chocolates) and salted foods (e.g. crackers, trail mix) frequently in small amounts
- Breathe properly, good deep inhales and exhales every so often
- Pack your gear in advance, planning for adequate but not overburdening amounts of food and gear
- Prepare for adverse weather conditions, with emergency supplies
- Leave all your camping equipment at Trail Camp while going up the to peak and pick them up on the way down
Don't
- Carry more than 2L of water. Water is available at plenty of locations on the trail and can be easily filtered. At higher altitudes, the snow-melt is pure and requires no filtering. More than 2L of water weighs you down.
- Assume that you can hike it in a short timeframe without proper acclimatization. You will not only have a bad experience, but also will regret not being able to enjoy the beauty of the sierras.
Pictures:
 |
| Mt. Whitney Peak Hike |
