How long is the Whitney Portal trail?
approximately 4 miles
The trail is approximately 4 miles long and changes 2,700 feet in elevation. There are two trailheads. The lower trailhead is in Lone Pine Campground, and the upper trailhead is at Whitney Portal. The upper portion of the trail is in a forested canyon near Lone Pine Creek.
Is Whitney Portal trail open?
Area Status: Closed When free of snow, it provides a strenuous, non-technical route to the summit of Mt. Whitney. Additional skills and equipment are necessary for safe travel when snow and ice are present.
Is Whitney Portal closed?
Area Status: Closed The area includes 3 campgrounds, a picnic area, fishing pond and a stream. Trails from Whitney Portal provide access to the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia National Park.
How long does it take to hike Mount Whitney?
For fast hikers, the ascent can be done in about 5 hours, with about 7 to 8 hours for the average hiker. A slow pace may mean 10 hours to the top. Generally, coming down takes about 2 to 3 hours quicker. In order to get back Whitney Portal before dusk in the summer 8pm it often requires starting before sunrise.
Has anyone died climbing Mt. Whitney?
Mt. Whitney has claimed several lives over the years. In November, a Riverside woman who slipped and fell from a trail before a winter storm was found two days later but died at a hospital. In 2017, a 75-year-old community college professor from Texas fell to his death on the mountain.
Are there bears on Mt. Whitney?
Whitney and the Whitney Portal area, like most of the Sierras are home to many Black Bears and a lot of Black Bear activity.
Is it hard to hike Mt. Whitney?
Whitney trail is extremely difficult, especially if you try to do it in just one day (as many do). The trail is 20 miles long, with about 6,600 feet of total elevation gain, which is A LOT for most hikers if they haven’t trained appropriately. However, you can also backpack this trail for a more enjoyable experience!
What happens if you hike Mt. Whitney without a permit?
Hiking Mt Whitney and its neighboring mountains is not easy. It is not the mountain, it’s the bureaucracy that makes it so difficult. You do need a permit to hike up Whitney and any nearby mountain in the summer. If you don’t have a permit, rangers will cite you and turn you back.
How much does it cost to climb Mount Whitney?
The transaction fee to apply for the permit lottery costs $6 per application. If you are lucky enough to receive a Mt. Whitney permit, you will then need to pay an additional $15 per person in your group by April 30th. If you do not pay by this date, your permit will be canceled.
What happens if you hike Mt Whitney without a permit?
Can you sleep in your car at Whitney Portal?
Can I sleep in my car? This is an active bear area and sleeping in your car at Whitney Portal is not permitted. Any residual smell of food in your car may lead to a bear break in, which you do not want to experience from inside your car. Secure your food in the storage lockers and use the hikers’ walk-in campsite.
Are there bears on Mt Whitney?