Mount Whitney Main Trail
Sierra Nevada, CA
Elevation Profile
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Waypoints
Whitney Portal
Start at Whitney Portal. Store, campground, and parking. Trailhead sign here.
8,360 ft
Outpost Camp
First designated camping area. Good acclimatization stop.
11,499 ft
Trail Camp
Main overnight camp before the summit push. Toilet facilities.
12,999 ft
Trail Crest (99 Switchbacks)
Top of the 99 Switchbacks. Often icy in early season. Views of the Owens Valley.
14,009 ft
Mount Whitney Summit
Summit! Highest point in the contiguous US at 14,505 feet. Summit hut for shelter.
14,505 ft
Route Details
Distance
21.0 mi
Elevation Gain
6,099 ft
Elevation Loss
6,099 ft
Max Elevation
14,505 ft
Estimated Days
1
Trailhead
Whitney Portal
Best Season
July through September. Snow on trail in June and early July. Permits required—lottery opens in February.
Permit Required
Permit required May 1–Nov 1 through recreation.gov. Overnight permits need bear canister.
About This Route
The Mount Whitney Trail from Whitney Portal is the standard route to the summit of the highest peak in the contiguous United States at 14,505 feet. The 11-mile trail (one way) gains 6,100 feet through pine forests, past alpine lakes, and across granite boulder fields to the summit plateau. The trail is one of the most heavily used wilderness corridors in the country. Whitney Portal sells out permits almost instantly when the lottery opens. Day hikers can make the round trip in 8-12 hours for fit hikers starting at 3am; overnight backpackers typically camp at Outpost Camp or Trail Camp. Altitude sickness is the primary hazard, especially for hikers coming from sea level. Acclimate by spending a night at Whitney Portal (8,365 ft) before attempting the summit. Snow crosses the trail above Trail Camp through mid-July most years, and the 99 Switchbacks can be icy in early season requiring microspikes or crampons. Thunderstorms build almost daily in July and August. The summit must be reached by noon to safely descend before afternoon lightning. The trail is well-marked and heavily trafficked.
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