To maintain the wilderness character of the hike and to prevent overcrowding there are. I was wondering if it is safe to keep tent, food, excess gear etc near the junction to mt whitney or is it better. Whitney trailhead campground is located at whitney portal, miles west of the town of lone pine. This thread is designed to hold posts displaying pictures and describing the current conditions of the main mount whitney trail mmwt. The hike to get there on the main whitney trail is 22 miles with 6,000 feet of elevation gain. The mt whitney trail is a well maintained 11 mile foot path to the summit of mt whitney. This is a good site to check out the weather conditions on mount whitney plus every other mountain. The hike is 22 miles round trip gaining just over 6700 feet of elevation. In summer the summit is often crowded with excited climbers. Take the regular trail for an easier hike to the top or put your mountaineering skills to the real test on the mountaineering route. The switchbacks are 80% or more clear and very recommended.
Not sure if this link will connect from here but you can copy. At whitney portal, find the trailhead for the mount whitney trail located below the whitney portal store. Trail run project is part of the rei coop family, where a life outdoors is a life well lived. But one of the concerns would be that even if you made it to summit in one day, the temperature drops, weather changes at that height, so it may be very difficult to descend in the dark.
A dusting of new snowtemperatures will be well below freezing max 8c on sat afternoon, min c on mon nightwinds increasing moderate winds from the nw on sat night, strong winds from the nw by mon morning. The mountaineers route reaches the summit of 14,505foot mount whitney by a steeper route than the heavily traveled trail, and it requires crampons and ice axes for much of. You want to stick to the class 1 hikes like the mt whitney trail, which can be. In ideal conditions this is not a difficult summit at all if you are welltrained. Im in good enough shape to do it, as ive been adventuring all summer but have some question hoping some of you all could help. Climbing mount whitneys mountaineers route calitrails. This massive peak offers a variety of summit climbs, including the east face and east buttress. Mar 28, 2019 ive seen the most beautiful sunrises on mt. This is the infamous chute that skips the 99 switchbacks. A light covering of new snow mostly falling on thu. The survey marker at the summit still says 14, 494 feet, but the latest surveys show it is higher than that. The 99 switchbacks between whitney base camp and the landing before you start the.
Jun 19, 2014 the whitney portal was useful to me when i first went up mt. Save the summit push for when you are in great shape and have a little more experience. Mount whitney is the highest point in the lower 48, with an elevation of 14,505 feet. The 24 campsites in the walkin campground have a one night stay limit. But in a snowcovered may or june, certain sections. Whitney is an extremely popular trail, every year the number of permit applications goes up. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 states and as such is the goal of many a hiker and mountaineer. Know the conditions, bring adequate food, water, layers, and check with the forest service before heading out. As of between 5th to 8th of january the conditions on main trail of mt whitney were great. People will post the current conditions sometimes with a trip report with pictures as well. The camp is intended for those who are setting out into the wilderness the following day. Climbing mt whitney from pct what to do with your tent. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. Along the way the trail becomes a staircase with steps as high as a foot or more.
For more information please call the wilderness office at 559 5653766. The eleven mile long trail route offers the easiest route to the summit and is ascended by hundreds of climbers each year. The start of the hike, the mt whitney portal has everything from campsites and waterfalls to a restaurant and fishing lake. 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. Take us395 to lone pine and then turn west on whitney portal road. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental united states.
Here are some thoughts temperatures we encountered, trail conditions, and gear. When the trail is free of snow in the summer months to early fall, you can follow a well maintained trail up to the summit. Not only does the whitney portal hostel offer private rooms and shared rooms, all with private showers and baths, the hostel also offers an area to do trainings andor workshops. While the jmt is relatively short by thru trail standards, its northtosouth route from yosemite valley to mt. When you run out of enough slope to slide near the bottom, make your way right to rejoin the switchbacks and the rest of your descent. Good luck to everyone and hit me up with any questions. Mount whitney, sierra nevada, united states mountain weather forecast for 4418m. Whitney is the high point of the lower forty eight states and the goal of virtually every mountaineer. It is an extremely popular trail, and its access is restricted by quotas from may to october. Mount whitney mountaineers route mount whitney 14,505. The mount whitney mountaineers route is a steep, straight shot from whitney portal to the mountains summit. Lakes trail pear lake 25 hut keepers have reported that there is 90% snow coverage from the wolverton parking lot to the panther gap junction.
Construction of a replacement bridge will not begin before 2020. Summiting mt whitney is on every hikers bucket list. Temperatures on this trip i carried a delorme inreach from. Whitney and the john muir wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, rv, and tent campers who wish to explore the areas activities and. The quota period for mt whitney ended november 2nd so permits are there for the asking until may 1st 2020. Standing at 14,497 feet, mount whitney summit is the tallest peak in the lower u. John muir trail backpacking packing list rei coop journal. At whitney portal, find the trailhead for the mount whitney trail located below the whitney. However, one step off trail and you might posthole. When you get back to whitney portal, head to the portal store. Mt whitney, in california, is the highest peak in the lower 48 states at 14,505 feet.
The whitney portal store, located miles west of lone. You can day hike it or backpack it, but you will need a permit lottery. 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. Please feel free to post pictures of your own or from any source please post a reference to the original loc. Whitney covers what many believe is the most spectacular stretch of the pct more than 80 percent of the jmts route follows the pct.
Mount whitney via mount whitney trail hiking trail, lone pine. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, ice climbing, and backpacking and is best used from april until october. Since the entire climb is a class 1 trail, it is fully detailed in the route description section. 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. Mt whitney trail hiking and backpacking timberline trails. A wellmaintained trail on the south side takes the vast majority of these people to the top and back. 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. Snow was practically all the way to the top with some bold spots before north fork and the last section of the ridge. Mt whitney the chute running trail, lone pine, california. Mount whitney mountaineers route sierra mountain guides.
Think of this as a heatmap, more rides more kinetic energy warmer colors. The trail begins at 8,360 ft, and ends at the 14,508 ft summit of mt whitney. Id read online that the trail wasnt entirely melted out and that the steep. I guess most pct hikers will make the detour to mt whitney.
It was pioneered by john muir who referred to the traditional main trail as for soft, succulent people. It starts at whitney portal, miles 21 km west of the town of lone pine, california. Live conditions reported by 5 closest weather stations. Mount whitney weather forecast 4418m mountain weather. Whitney portal campgrounds recreation resource management.
Whitney portal campground is in a prime location within the eastern sierra nevada mountains at the base of mt. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Map of mt whitney zone day use permit is required within the red boundary. Mt whitney the chute hiking trail, lone pine, california.
This permit includes multinight trips starting on the. Community share your trails contributors clubs forum. At the store, we try to keep last minute supplies for hiking, camping, fishing, and related items for the portal visitors. Socal is bright and sunny around this time, but the mountains are still covered in snow usually through july.
Mount whitney trail lone pine 2020 all you need to. Feb 01, 2020 sunsets at yosemites horsetail fall explode with fiery colors in february, if conditions are clear. Jun 29, 2016 before you put those boots away, strap on some crampons, grab your ice axe and truly embrace what climbing mt. Usually i write long posts about trails but when it comes to whitney, there are already plenty of amazing and. In miles, you will reach whitney portal at an elevation of 8,365 feet.
Of these approaches, hiking on the mount whitney trail that leaves from whitney portal is the most popular and accessible choice for examples of alternative. This is a long and strenuous outandback trek that summits mt. During the spring and early summer months, theres still snow on the trail. Ice axes and crampons are needed in spring and early summer, but technical climbing equipment is not usually necessary between midjuly and early october. Here is a recent conditions update for mt whitney for july th, 2017.
The mount whitney trail is a trail that climbs mount whitney. At outpost camp the crest of mount whitney comes into view as well as the area of the 97 switchbacks off to the west. Whitney trail and mountaineers route for garmin map source garmin. The hike to get there on the main whitney trail is 22 miles with 6,000 feet of elevation g. Whitney is a popular hike and during the summer months, there is a daily quota. Spring conditions when the snow and ice are melting can be most treacherous. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous united states. Whitney trail, the most popular route to the top, is. Sunsets at yosemites horsetail fall explode with fiery colors in february, if conditions are clear. This is a short stage but very steep as the trail works its way up a granite escarpment. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until october.
Climbing mt whitney from pct what to do with your tent food excess gear etc. Check the weather, storms may include lightning, wind, rain, hail, or sleet. In july or august, a strongwilled person with solid fitness and no altitude sickness could pull off the long hike up the mount whitney trail. Mount whitney via mount whitney trail hiking trail, lone.
Just drive to whitney portal, miles west of lone pine, ca. Located on the eastside of californias beautiful sierra nevada mountains, the mt whitney trail starts in inyo national forest at whitney portal, 8,300 feet above. They also report that conditions are very icy and to expect to hike in some sections. Whitney overnight the best main trail to trail camp. Whitney trail at weeping rock at the start of the 99 switchback section of the trail on the way to. The 99 switchbacks normally used to get to trail crest were. At the store, we keep last minute supplies for hiking, camping, fishing, and related items for the portal visitors. Dec 02, 2019 this trail is about 21 miles round trip and 6,000 feet of elevation, so it is no joke. Every year thousands travel to whitney portal with their hearts set on attaining the summit of mt. Get information on current weather, hiking, and climbing conditions on mt whitney at key locations and elevations.
Whitney time and time again, nothing compares to watching the whole mountain light up pink in the sunrise glow. Whitney, such as the shakyleg crack variation or the cardiovascular seizure. At 14,505 feet, its the highest point in the lower 48. Among other things, this device allowed us to get weather forecast as an automated reply as a text message from friendsfamily. Dont day hike the mount whitney trail overnight it. Mount whitney hike via whitney portal outdoor project. Observe conditions carefully and then evaluate the risk of crossing. You could spend a lot of time just camping here and taking in the sites without even going on the mt. Starting from the trail crest, glissade the obvious snowfield, trying to trend right as best you can. Climb along the north fork of lone pine creek along several long switchbacks.
Be sure to check the red tape section on the main mount whitney page. Winter conditions prevail, road is closedsnow covered. Mount whitney mountaineers route california alltrails. Mount whitney has turned into an overcrowded catastrophe. 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.
Heres a map of the next part of the hike, which many folks consider the hardest section. 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. After an unusually snowy winter, elevations about 10,000 feet were still covered in midjune. 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. Mt whitney trail condition reports from the folks who live and work on the mountain. You can help us by sending an email to report trail conditions. Depending on conditions, crossing the south fork of the kings river can be extremely hazardous. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 united states at 14,505 feet above sea level. You can also look at a map and plan your own backpacking trip the. Whitney main trail conditions, june 22 2015 hiking. Jan 18, 2016 if youre taking the standard trip in and out, select mt whitney trail jm35 as both entry and exit points. The hike is about 22 mi 35 km round trip, with an elevation gain of over 6,100 feet 1,860 m.
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. Its a tradition to get a burger and beer after the mt whitney hike. You arent required to follow a trail like the jmt or hst to get to the mt whitney summit. Mount whitney trail lone pine 2020 all you need to know. As part of a high sierra trail backpacking trip, i hiked the mt.
Note, too, that the closest exit point is whitney portal, an 11mile hike out on. The whitney portal access road is now closed two and a half miles before the trailhead making the approach a total of 5 miles longer. Chance of snow showers off and on through sunday then clearing on mt whitney. Too many inexperienced people are climbing whitney outside. Located along rocky area at the very bottom of the chute. Mount whitney 1200 vertical foot glissade the chute youtube. To better organize the photos, the photos in this section are for whitney portal to trail camp.