Mount Whitney Trail

When it is free of snow, the Mount Whitney Trail provides a non-technical, but strenuous, route to the summit of Mt. Whitney. The first 9 miles of the trail is in Inyo National Forest. The last 1.7 miles and the summit of Mt. Whitney are in Sequoia National Park. More demanding climbing routes, such as the Mountaineers Route, East Face and East Buttress, are accessed via the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek Trail.

Directions:
From Lone Pine, CA, travel 13 miles west on Whitney Portal Road. The Mt. Whitney trailhead is located on the north side of the road at Whitney Portal. In Winter, Whitney Portal Road is not maintained and is usually closed.

Parking:
Parking is available at the trailhead. During busy periods, all parking spaces may be full. So, please limit the number of vehicles that your group uses. There is a high level of bear activity at the trailhead. Remove all food and trash from vehicles.

Seasonal Information
July to Mid-September: Typically snow free. A few snowfields may persist at higher elevations and on north facing slopes.
Mid-September through October: Typically snow free. However, storms with wind, cold temperatures and snow may occur. Snow may melt quickly, or it may linger for days or weeks. Thick patches of ice may begin to develope in some locations.
November through March: Snow is accumulating. By late December it is a few feet deep, and by March it is several meters deep. Winter mountaineering equipment and skills are necessary for safe travel. The road to Whitney Portal is not maintained in winter, and is usually closed.
April through June: Snowpack is receding. In April it may be several meters deep. By the end of June, snowfields may persist at higher elevations and on north facing slopes. Winter mountaineering equipment and skills are necessary for safe travel. The road usually opens in April.or May, depending on conditions

Dispose of Waste Properly
At Mt. Whitney, the only acceptable way to dospose of human waste is to pack it out. There are simply too many visitors in the area to use other common waste disposal methods. Human waste pack-out kits are distributed with wilderness permits. Each year, Mt. Whitney visitors pack out over 3 tons of human waste.

Area/Length : 10.7 miles to Mt. Whitney summit
Elevation : 8,322 ft - 14,497 ft.