Hike Mount Whitney Trail Inyo National Forest, CA

Directions

Route Map

Download GPX

This report is from before I put more time into writing and taking route photos, so it may not be very helpful. I'm keeping it up for the memories, and will one day hopefully return to better document. Find other reports in this region.

Aug 10, 2015 — Mount Whitney is the highest point of the contiguous United States. The trail is in excellent shape, well-marked, and very crowded. You need a permit to hike, but there are more up-to-date resources online to learn more about that tedious process. This is a long day at high altitude, and despite its popularity and tame trail, should not be taken lightly due to its overall mileage and vertical elevation.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Mount Whitney

14498 ft

10078 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Sunrise along Mt. Whitney Trail.

Sunrise looking back toward the start of the trailhead after the first set of switchbacks.

Mirror Lake. Whitney is somewhere in the back.

Consultation Lake. Beautiful.

Consultation Lake.

Trail Camp Lake. Lots of people were overnighting here. Whitney is far right.

Start of the switchbacks. This is the only spot with random, unnecessary metal railings.

Looking down at the switchbacks. Consultation Lake on the right.

Adam as we near the Whitney saddle.

Saddle after the switchbacks before starting the traverse to Whitney.

Along the traverse to the Whitney summit overlooking the High Sierras

Along the traverse from the saddle to summit, looking out to the left. Great rock formations everywhere.

Rock formations along the traverse to the summit - Mt. Whitney is in the far back.

Mt. Whitney rocky, flat summit.

Mt Whitney summit overlook

Sunset at Lone Pine Lake. Worth the .1 mile excursion.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!