Human Waste

Mt. Whitney visitors must pack-out their solid human waste. Pack-out kits are distributed with wilderness permits. In 2007, visitors packed out at least 6,330 lbs of human waste! To those who helped out, THANK YOU!!!

Pack-out kits are available at the InterAgency Visitors Center in Lone Pine.

Follow this link for more information about Pack-It-Out.

Wildlife: Many animals call the Mt. Whitney area their home. You may see black bears, marmots, squirrels and birds. Their diet consists of food obtained from the natural environment. When animals eat human food, it is unhealthy for them and it can change their behavior. In some cases it can spell death for the animal.

Please help us in an effort to keep black bears, marmots and other animals from obtaining human food. Keep them out of your food and garbage b storing your food properly. Keep a good distance between you and wild animals. Do not try to approach or feed these animals. Hand feeding them puts your life, and theirs, at risk. Remember, you are a visitor to the place they call home; so treat them with respect.

Please know how to store your food correctly -- it protects the wildlife and guarantees that you will not go hungry on your trip.

Mt. Whitney Wilderness Regulations
~ A wilderness permit is required for all overnight and day hikes beyond Lone Pine Lake. Permits prevent overcrowding and protect the resource.
~ Fires are not permitted. Fires scar the landscape and use wood that the next generation of trees is dependent upon.
~ Proper Food Storage is required. Food storage keeps you and the animals out of danger.
~ Trailside Meadow and Mirror Lakes are closed to overnight camping. These areas were subject to overuse in the past.
~ Pack and saddle stock are prohibited.
~ Pets and firearms are not allowed in Sequoia National Park, located 8.5 miles from the trailhead.
~ Stay on the maintained trail, and do not shortcut the switchbacks. It causes destructive erosion and shortens the life of the trail.
~ Pack out all your garbage including toilet paper.

Violations of these regulations are subject to a fine.

View a map of the Mt Whitney Trail.
The USGS 7.5 minute Mt Whitney quad, or the USGS Mt. Whitney and Lone Pine 15 minute quad cover the trail.