Pack your gear away, and begin the long, arduous ascent to the junction with the john muirhigh sierra trail and the mt. This permit includes multinight trips starting on the. Most overnighters use this camp as the stopping point before going on to the summit in the morning. National geographics trails illustrated map of mount whitney delivers unmatched detail and valuable information to assist you in your exploration of this beautiful region. Mount whitney, california topographic map and nearby trails. The most popular route to the summit is by way of the mount whitney trail. Be sure to check the red tape section on the main mount whitney page. How to hike the 200 mile long john muir trail trail. At the store, we keep last minute supplies for hiking, camping, fishing, and related items for the portal visitors. Getting out at cottonwood pass and hitching a ride beyond forester pass would mean skipping mount whitneythe highest point in the lower 48 and the biggest side attraction of the entire pacific crest trail, which i was attempting to thruhike. At 14,505 feet, its the highest point in the lower 48. It uses gps to tell you exactly where you are on the trail, what altitude you are at, how far to the next landmarks etc. This trailhead along with the new army pass trailhead starts at nearly 10,000 feet, the highest starting point of any of the trips in this guidebook, with an elevation gain of only 7341 feet over about 30 miles of trail.
The map displayed here is an overview of the john muir trail from yosemite valley to mt. The mt whitney hike is on every hikers bucket list. Mount whitney national geographic trails illustrated map 322 national geographic maps trails illustrated on. Whitney trail for information on various water sources along the trail. Whitney outandback in one day, but given the rigor and the length of the trail, a very early start from. This famous hike crosses some of the most rugged country in the sierra, following the middle fork of the kaweah river to its headwaters at kaweah gap and then dropping into the kern river canyon before swinging east again toward mt.
It starts at whitney portal, miles 21 km west of the town of lone pine, california. The hike to get there on the main whitney trail is 22 miles with 6,000 feet of elevation g. For a taste of the big mountains around mt whitney without the massive effort or hardtoget permit, try the very doable lone pine lake hike which follows the mt whitney trail. This trail is about 21 miles round trip and 6,000 feet of elevation, so it is no joke. The 71mile high sierra trail traverses the sierra nevada from crescent meadow in sequoia national park to mt. Hike 10 san gorgonio via vivian creek trail and 11 san bernardino peak out of angelus oaks of the mt whitney dirty dozen are now available. This walkin campground is buzzing with backpackers in the summer months hoping to make it to the top of the seriously majestic mt. The sequoia parks conservancys bookstore offers books and maps for planning hikes to mt. Travel the path with us and we will show you just what to expect along this world famous 11 mile trail to the top of the highest peak in the continental united states. Also, indicate your exit day hidden behind the dropdown with a multiday permit, you have as many as more days in the mt whitney zone but you must declare your intention to do so.
Mount whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous united states and the sierra nevada, with an elevation of 14,505 feet 4,421 m. At 14,505 feet, its the highest point in the lower 48, and is one of those rare high peaks that you can hike to without any mountaineering skills. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. A wellmaintained trail on the south side takes the vast majority of these people to the top and back. You can day hike it or backpack it, but you will need a permit lottery. Complete with an interactive map pdf download and a sectional breakdown length, elevation, highlights. The whitney portal store, located miles west of lone pine, lies next to the mount whitney trail head and has operated by permit from the inyo national forest since 1987. Gps data description file name and type size gps waypoints and tracks for the mt. If you plan to hike in this or any off trail area, always carry a topo map and compass, and be sure you know how to use them. At 14,505 feet, its the highest point in the lower 48 and is one of those rare high peaks that you can hike to without any mountaineering skills. Mokelumne, carson iceberg, emigrant, ansel adams, sequoia, kings canyon, mount whitney wilderness maps. Train your body for this strenuous 22 mile round trip hike, with over 12,000 ft. Heres a map of the next part of the hike, which many folks consider the hardest section.
Since the entire climb is a class 1 trail, it is fully detailed in the route description section. What i learned hiking mount whitney from the pacific crest trail. First called fishermans peak after the group of fishermen that reached the summit in 1873, californias mount whitney stands at 14,505 feet and is the highest summit in the contiguous united states. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 states and as such is the goal of many a hiker and mountaineer.
However, when snow is present safely traveling the trail may require additional experience, special skills, helmets, ice axes, crampons, and skis. Mount whitney via mount whitney trail hiking trail, lone pine. At whitney portal, find the trailhead for the mount whitney trail located below the whitney portal store. Includes beautiful images of all the key features of the eastern approach to mt whitney. Waterproof tearresistant topographic map mount whitney is universally famous as the highest peak in the contiguous united states. Complete tahoe to yosemite trail, pacific crest trail, and john muirtrail hiking maps. You can also look at a map and plan your own backpacking trip the. Getting out at cottonwood pass and hitching a ride beyond forester pass would mean skipping mount whitney the highest point in the lower 48 and the biggest side attraction of the entire pacific crest trail, which i was attempting to thruhike.
The 24 campsites in the walkin campground have a one night stay limit. The brainchild of brett blisterfree tucker creator of the grand enchantment trail, the approximately 5 mile journey t. At the john muir mount whitney trail junction there are several large tent platforms that can serve as campsites, but bring plenty of water because these campsites are dry. Whitney trail is suitable for less experienced hikers. As of july 16, 2015, forsee creek, san bernardino peak, momyer, and vivian creek trails are now open. This popular trail is perhaps the easiest of the routes not originating at whitney portal. The start of the hike, the mt whitney portal has everything from. Or to view the 9 maps sequentially, click on the map 1 arrow at the top of the page.
Mt whitney trail camp or high camp shown above is one crowded location during peak season. Just drive to whitney portal, miles west of lone pine, ca. Trail camp is a good place to take a break, eat, hydrate, and rest before your next stretch of trail to the mt whitney summit. Sep 24, 2016 the mt whitney hike is on every hikers bucket list. Mt whitney webcam mt williamson webcam feature topics mt whitney lottery info 2020. This map details the route up to the top of whitney, as well as down to whitney portal. Best backpacking websites, maps, miles, elevations, videos, and supportiong backpacker information.
Take us395 to lone pine and then turn west on whitney portal road. The camp is intended for those who are setting out into the wilderness the following day. The mount whitney trail is a trail that climbs mount whitney. National geographics trails illustrated map of mount whitney delivers unmatched detail and valuable information to assist you in your exploration of this beautiful. Map index hike lake tahoe to mount whitney high sierra.
The red outline on the map below identifies the boundaries of the mount whitney topo map. The mt whitney trail is a well maintained 11 mile foot path to the summit of mt whitney. Even for those not hiking mt whitney, a trip through the i395 and eastern sierra area is. The popular john muir trail extends 220 miles from yosemite valley to mt. Mount whitney trail lone pine 2020 all you need to know. Beyond the physical superlatives, hiking the mount whitney trail is a beautiful experience in and of itself, and its very doable for southern californians. However, to get to the top of the 14,000plusfoot peak about 220 miles north of l. Summiting mt whitney is on every hikers bucket list. At an elevation of 14,501 feet, mount whitney is the tallest mountain in california and the tallest peak in the lower 48. Jan 18, 2016 if youre taking the standard trip in and out, select mt whitney trail jm35 as both entry and exit points. See bob rockwells reliable water sources along the mt. The trail begins at 8,360 ft, and ends at the 14,508 ft summit of mt whitney. Whitney trailhead campground is your basecamp before you venture deeper into the wilderness. To better organize the photos, the photos in this section are for whitney portal to trail camp.
This trail goes by bighorn park, outpost camp, mirror lake, trail camp, discovery pinnacle, aiguille du paquoir, aiguille extra, crooks peak, keeler needle, aiguille junior, and whitney portal trailhead. Waterproof tearresistant topographic map mount whitney is universally famous as the highest peak in. Thousands enjoy hiking mount whitney each year for premiere serra nevada views, whether on the lower trails on the mountains flanks or on one of the major approaches to the summit. Mount whitney trail lone pine 2020 all you need to. Whitney portal, crabtree and cottonwood lakes tom harrison maps tom harrison maps, tom harrison, tom harrison on. Jan 05, 2019 but for most of us, whitney is a summer hike. Map of mt whitney zone day use permit is required within the red boundary. It is an extremely popular trail, and its access is restricted by quotas from may to october. The whitney video starts out in the meadows area of the mt whitney trail, and continues all the way to the 14,505 ft summit. Mount whitney via cottonwood lakes california alltrails. Mount whitney national geographic trails illustrated map. Mount whitney via cottonwood pack supported sierra. Tahoe to yosemite, pacific crest, and john muir trail hiking from lake tahoe to mount whitney.
Things nobody tells you about hiking mt whitney upon 2020. The mt whitney trail is nothing short of excellent. The john muir trail official ends on the summit of mount whitney, but we still had to hike down to whitney portal where our car was parked. To prepare to hike mount whitney, you will need to get a permit, map out your hiking route, and train so. A more common common scenario is to make a trip of a few days to mt whitney, maybe acclimatize, and enjoy the area. Mt whitney trail condition reports from the folks who live and work on the mountain. Whitney is the highest peak in the continental united states. Climb along the north fork of lone pine creek along several long switchbacks. The hike to get there on the main whitney trail is 22 miles with 6,000 feet of elevation gain.
Mount whitney via mount whitney trail hiking trail, lone. The start of the hike, the mt whitney portal has everything from campsites and waterfalls to a restaurant and fishing lake. You arent required to follow a trail like the jmt or hst to get to the mt whitney summit. July depending on the snow pack, there still may be snow on the trail, but overall it should be clear. Mount whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous united states and the sierra nevada. Whitney, it is easiest to use iodine tablets or dont treat at all. Although forested, the first few miles of the trail are exposed to the blaring sun.
Most hikers prefer to start in yosemite, allowing themselves to acclimate gradually to the increasing elevations as they move south toward 14,505foot mt. This is the main class 1 hiking trail that most people take to the summit. Whitney trail and mountaineers route for garmin map source garmin. To reach the peak via the mount whitney trail sometimes known as main trail, the easiest and most popular route, you must begin at whitney portal and start hiking up lone pine creek. Mount whitney hike via whitney portal outdoor project. As the highest point on the mainland united states, mount whitney is a popular destination for avid hikers. Do not go in june or before unless you are prepared for mountaineering conditions. Mt whitney trail hiking and backpacking timberline trails. Whitney portal, crabtree and cottonwood lakes tom harrison maps by tom harrison maps and tom harrison jul 1, 2017. Along the way you will see detailed video of the surrounding landscape and key points of interest.
The mount whitney trail, starting at the whitney portal, is the most popular route to the summit, and travels for 10. Whitney trailhead campground is located at whitney portal, miles west of the town of lone pine. The chat room 15 viewing off topic chatter, silly jokes, etc. Whitney via the mountaineers route sierra mountain center. It is located in eastcentral california, on the boundary between californias inyo and tulare counties, 84. This is the trailhead for both the mount whitney trail and the mountaineers route as well as many other mountaineering and climbing routes on mount whitney, mount russell, and mount carillon. Wildlife, hitchhiking, permits for the five trailheads, navigation with guidebooks and apps, water and food supply, trail. From the lowest spot in north america 280 ft below sea level to the highest point in the contiguous united states 14,495 ft. What i learned hiking mount whitney from the pacific crest.
Strong and experienced hikers can complete the mount whitney trail in one long day, but for most, a twoday approach provides much needed time for rest and. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, ice climbing, and backpacking and is best used from april until october. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from july until november. You could spend a lot of time just camping here and taking in the sites without even going on the mt. Day 10 to crescent meadow via the high sierra trail 15. This is a moderate difficult out and back trail to mount whitney in sequoia national park.
The 22mile roundtrip mount whitney trail is often a hikers first experience with highaltitudes, which is certainly a factor to consider when planning the pace of an ascent. How to thruhike the john muir trail interactive map for. It is the highest peak in the continental united states. However, when snow is present safely traveling the trail may require additional experience, special. First ascent, august 18, 1873 by charles begole, albert johnson, and john lucas. Its a moderate effort but very doable by most people as a halfday adventure.
The hike is about 22 mi 35 km round trip, with an elevation gain of over 6,100 feet 1,860 m. The combined high sierra trail john muir trail commences a string of switchbacks that climb the western slope of the sierra crest until the junction 36. Ice axes and crampons are needed in spring and early summer, but technical climbing equipment is not usually necessary between midjuly and early october. Mount whitney is universally famous as the highest peak in the contiguous united states, as well as the highest point in california. In miles, you will reach whitney portal at an elevation of 8,365 feet. Whitney in californias southern sierra is a bucketlist pinnacle for hikers worldwide. To view section maps showing greater detail, click on any of 9 rectangles on the overview map. Lake tahoe to mount whitney high sierra trail guide. Any trail or road in the burn area see last burn map marked july 6 below remains closed.
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