Every
year thousands travel to Whitney Portal with their hearts set on attaining
the summit of Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States.
By far the most popular route on Mt. Whitney is the hiking trail built in
1904. To maintain the wilderness character of the hike and to prevent overcrowding
there are daily quotas for the trail during the peak season.
Permits
are required year-round for all overnight hikes and for day hikes past Lone
Pine Lake.
Trailhead Location: Whitney Portal can
be reached by driving 13 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road. Whitney
Portal Road intersects Highway 395 at the traffic signal in downtown Lone
Pine. The road is usually open from May to early November. In the winter,
the last 6 miles of the road are not plowed.
Trial Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous,
depending upon your experience and skill level. The trailhead elevation is
8,365 feet. The elevate at the summit is 14,497.61 feet. At high elevations,
altitude sickness affects many people. You can put yourself in danger by pushing
yourself past your physical limits. Headaches, dizziness and nausea are symptoms
that should not be ignored. If you begin showing signs of altitude sickness
you should descend to a lower elevation immediately.
Wilderness Risk: Of the thousands of
people that climb Mt. Whitney, many are unaware of the inherent risks associated
with being outdoors and on their own. You are far from help should you have
a mishap. Remoteness and changing weather may compound problems that otherwise
could be manageable. Everyone has a personal responsibility to maintain
self-sufficiency in the Wilderness. For a safe trip, assess the skills
and abilities of every member of your group, prepare for a variety of weather
and plan for every contingency. Create your own "good luck" by being
well prepared and making prudent decisions.
Weather:
Summer days may be warm at lower elevations, but at higher elevations it will
be cooler. You may need a down jacket in July, when it is 90 degrees at the
trailhead. Even in summer the following conditions may exist: rain, wind,
lightning, snow, ice and below freezing temperatures. Afternoon thunderstorms
are common and may show no warning of their arrival. These storms build quickly
and can occur daily. If clouds appear before noon, precipitation is likely
to happen. Above tree line it is difficult to find shelter from lightning
strikes. At the first signs of lightning, assess your situation and decide
if you should turn around. Check the weather forecast before you start your
trip.
Season: Most people hike the trail from
mid-July through early October when the trail is free of most snow. However,
ice patches and snowfields may exist on the trail at any time.
Equipment: Equipment needs vary according
to the time of year, the condition of the trail and your mountaineering skills.
Layered clothing, rain gear, good boots, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat are
advisable. At anytime of year one or more of the following may be recommended:
crampons, ice ax, snowshoes, skis, ski poles and walking sticks. You and every
member of your party should know how to use this equipment properly before
hiking up the mountain. Only you will know what your specific equipment needs
are for a successful hike. Be aware; you may need an ice ax on a section where
another can easily walk without one. Knowledge of your safety gear may mean
the difference between life and death.
Water: Water is available near the trail
as far as Trail Camp. Carry water to the summit, as there is no dependable
source of water after Trail Camp. The presence of Giardiasis in backcountry
water poses a serious health problem. Filter, boil or chemically treat all
drinking water.
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