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Hikers and mountaineers from all over the world flock to the Eastern Sierra in California every year to take on the challenge of summiting Mt. Whitney. At 14, 505 ft., Mt. Whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, making it a formidable and popular challenge. The standard route to the summit of Mt. Whitney is a class 1 hiking trail, which makes the mountain accessible to day hikers and backpackers that don’t have mountaineering experience.

Day hiking Mt. Whitney is truly an epic bucket list experience, but it requires special planning and preparation in order to make it happen. This article shares all of the information you need to know to plan your day hike of Mt. Whitney via the Mount Whitney Trail. I also share a trip report from summiting Mt. Whitney on July 30, 2024.

It’s important to acknowledge that the Paiute and Shoshone people refer to the mountain as Tumanguya, which means “very old man.”

Mt. Whitney Quick Stats: What You Need to Know

Can You Hike Mt. Whitney in a Day?

If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to hike Mt. Whitney in a day or if it’s worth it, the answer is yes to both. Thousands of hikers day hike Mt. Whitney every year, so it’s definitely doable, although it’s not easy. It requires careful planning, preparation, and training to complete, but it is absolutely worth it if you’re an avid hiker.

If you’re day hiking Mt. Whitney you need to start EARLY. Ideally between midnight-3am (earlier if you’re trying to watch sunrise at the summit). Afternoon thunderstorms aren’t uncommon during the summer, so it’s a good idea to try to summit early (well before noon) so you can get down to lower elevations before rain and lightning potentially rolls in. Even if there’s a 0% chance of rain the hike is going to take all day, so a pre-dawn start is required unless you want to finish your hike in the dark.

Are dogs allowed to hike Mt. Whitney?

Mt. Whitney is NOT dog-friendly. The summit is within Sequoia National Park, which does not allow dogs on trails. Even if that weren’t the case, it’s such a long and challenging hike that it wouldn’t be suitable for most dogs.

How to Get Permits to Day Hike Mt. Whitney

The total number of people on the trail during the Mt. Whitney quota season (May 1-November 1) is limited to 100 day hikers and 60 backpackers per day. This quota helps to preserve the hiking experience and prevent ecological and safety impacts from overcrowding. 

While I didn’t think the trail was that busy, my husband felt like there were a lot of people on the trail. We barely saw anyone before reaching Trail Camp and passed maybe a dozen or so people during the 97 switchbacks. We definitely saw more people on the hike down, but at no point was it overly crowded.

Mt. Whitney Permit Lottery

The main way to score a permit to day hike Mt. Whitney is by entering the permit lottery. There have been over 25,000 permit applications submitted in recent years, so winning the lottery during the quota season takes a bit of good luck.

During the month of February log-in to rec.gov and submit your application for the Mt. Whitney permit lottery. The permit lottery costs $6 per application. Be advised, you can only submit one application per group. If multiple applications are submitted everyone in your group will automatically be disqualified!

When you complete your permit lottery application you’ll select whether you want a day or overnight permit. You will also enter the dates you want. You can choose up to 10 dates OR enter a range if you have some flexibility. I submitted my application for anytime between July 30-September 30 and pulled a permit for July 30.

Lottery results are announced on March 15. If you’re successful you have until April 21 to confirm your reservation and pay your permit fee, which is $15/person for day hikers.

If You Don’t Win the Lottery

On April 22, any reservations that weren’t confirmed from the lottery will be released on rec.gov. These unclaimed permits are available on a first-come, first-serve and will go fast, so be logged in and ready to go if you want to snag one.

If you’re unsuccessful with the lottery and have flexible hiking dates, you can also check rec.gov for cancellations throughout the summer. I’ve heard this is the easiest way to get a permit. 

If you have winter mountaineering experience you can climb Mt. Whitney outside of the quota season between November 2-April 30 without going through the lottery. You still need a permit, but you can easily purchase one through rec.gov.

Recreating Responsibly When Day Hiking Mt. Whitney

Mt. Whitney is an extremely popular mountain that sees thousands of hikers and climbers every year. Even with the permit system in place there are still impacts from recreation, which is why it’s so important that everyone does what they can to minimize their footprint while climbing Mt. Whitney.

Leave No Trace

The seven Leave No Trace principles are a set of guidelines to help people make responsible choices that minimize their impact outdoors. Always remember to practice Leave No Trace on when hiking to keep our mountains beautiful for future generations.

1. Plan ahead and prepare. Make sure you’re physically prepared for an extremely long and difficult hike, check the weather, carry a map, and make sure you have the proper gear.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces. Stay on the developed trail and other durable surfaces, like rocks or gravel. Don’t hike through wildflower fields or meadows.
3. Properly dispose of waste. This includes packing out all of your trash as well as human waste.
4. Leave what you find. Don’t pick wildflowers.
5. Minimize campfire impacts. Use existing fire rings and be sure to check for fire restrictions before having a campfire. Make sure that campfires are completely extinguished, which means the ashes are cool.
6. Respect wildlife. Maintain a safe distance from wildlife. Never feed or harass wildlife. Stay bear aware on the trail.
7. Be considerate of other visitors. Remember uphill hikers have the right of way. Don’t blast music on the trail. Be sure to communicate with other trail users where appropriate.

The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to  enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.

Altitude Awareness

If you’re not acclimated to hiking at high altitudes, prepare to take things extra slowly when hiking Mt. Whitney. It’s very important to stay hydrated throughout your hike, so carry plenty of water. Also be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness, which include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Issues with coordination

If you begin experiencing any of these symptoms, safely get back down to a lower elevation. If altitude sickness is left untreated it can develop into a more serious problem like HAPE (high-altitude pulmonary edema) or HACE (high-altitude cerebral edema), which can be deadly.

Where to Stay When Day Hiking Mt. Whitney

Lone Pine is the closest town to the Mt. Whitney trailhead. You can find a variety of budget-friendly hotels in town.

My husband and I opted to camp at the Whitney Portal Campground the night before and the night of our hike. The campground is only ½ mile from the trailhead, so it’s a convenient place to stay to get an early start. You can technically walk to the trailhead from the campground, but it adds some elevation gain and requires you to walk on the road, so I recommend driving.

Dispersed Camping

If you can’t get a site at the Whitney Portal Campground, or you’re looking for free camping, you can find a lot of dispersed camping in the Alabama Hills down the road from the Mt. Whitney trailhead. Be aware, camping in the area is restricted to designated sites. Be aware, the area is a few thousand feet lower than the Whitney Portal area and temperatures can climb to over 100℉ in the summer during peak hiking season.

Trip Report: Day Hiking Mt. Whitney

An Early Start

Despite going to bed early the night before, I had a hard time sleeping because I had so many butterflies thinking about our hike. After tossing and turning for hours I finally got up at 1:45 am, which was 20 minutes earlier than the alarm we set. My husband and I made breakfast (a bagel for me, oatmeal for him) in our rental van and then made our way up to the trailhead.

We got to the trailhead at 2:30 am, just in time to see a large bear come out of one of the pit toilets. As soon as he saw our headlights he rambled down to the parking lot and took off into the forest in the opposite direction of the trail. He wasn’t a threat, but it was definitely a jarring sight right before such a big hike!

Since we hit the trail so early we had a few hours of hiking in the dark. I find when it’s dark it’s easy to get into a steady hiking cadence and I don’t really notice the fact I’m going uphill. The trail to the summit of Mt. Whitney has fairly consistent elevation gain the entire way, so it was nice being able to zone out during the first part of the hike.

The Initial Ascent

During the first couple of miles the trail switchback up a steep hillside. I almost ran directly into a deer with her fawns coming around one of the switchbacks, which was a little scary after the earlier bear incident.

We made it above tree line just as the sun was starting to rise. There were a few big wildfires in California happening nearby, and while the air quality on the trail was great, there was haze on the horizon, which made for an extra vibrant sunrise.

After a quick stop to ditch our headlamps and put on sunscreen, we continued hiking up to Consultation Lake and Trail Camp, which sits at roughly 12,000 ft. Up until this point we only passed a handful of people on the trail, but we started seeing hikers more regularly here.

The 97 Switchbacks

The next section of the trail was the infamous 97 switchbacks. We hiked Mt. Whitney in late July so all of the snow from the previous winter had melted, but there was a little bit of ice that had frozen overnight that other hikers graciously pointed out to us.

Going into the hike I was intimidated by the 97 switchbacks because you gain roughly 1,600 ft. in only 2.2 miles, but I honestly didn’t think they were that bad. We just took things slow and steady and before we knew it we were making our way over to Trail Crest.

Final Push to the Summit

My least favorite section of the hike was on the backside of Mt. Whitney between Trail Crest and the summit. While there’s less than 900 ft. of elevation gain over the final 2 ½ miles to the summit, the terrain is very rocky, which slows you down. There are also a few areas with steep drop offs, which made me weary (although the trail stays solidly class 1 the entire time).

The views of Sequoia National Park’s backcountry are incredible during this stretch of the hike, although it can be challenging to take them in while paying attention to the trail. The final push to the summit is gradual and felt almost anticlimactic compared to other portions of the trail.

Being on the summit of Mt. Whitney felt so invigorating. There were a handful of other hikers already up there and overall the general mood felt jovial and triumphant. We definitely lucked out with the weather during the hike because we had perfect bluebird skies the entire time, although we could see wildfire smoke in the distance.

Descending Mt. Whitney

We were on the summit for about a half hour taking photos and refueling before we began the hike down. The descent from Mt. Whitney was very long and pretty uneventful. The first couple of miles were enjoyable because we were still riding the high from the summit, but once we started descending the 97 switchbacks I checked out.

We stopped at Trail Camp on the way down so William could take a dip in the small lake while I treated a blister that I knew was going to form. Long story short, I bought new Altra Lone Peaks right before the hike because my old pair needed to be replaced. However, I was afraid to wear the new shoes for the first time on such a long hike, so I wore the old pair I knew would give me a blister (a silly mistake).

The last 6 miles of the hike honestly felt like they lasted forever. I think it seemed longer than it really was because we hiked up this section of the trail in the dark, so we were seeing it for the first time. We were also exhausted and ready for a hot meal. Once we finished the hike we immediately changed and grabbed food.

Post-Hike Fun

There’s a small convenience store and cafe at the trailhead that serves up delicious post-hike meals. I got chicken tenders and fries, which came with a heaping portion of pickles (the salt was much needed). My husband got a loaded burger and fries. When I say that this was the best meal of my life, I’m not exaggerating.

After dinner we went back to our campsite and immediately went to bed. In total it took us over 13 hours to complete the hike, with 12 hours of moving time. My Garmin watch told me that I needed 44 hours of recovery afterwards, which was accurate!

What to Pack to Climb Mt. Whitney

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Since Mt. Whitney is such a long and challenging hike, it’s extremely important to be prepared and carry the right hiking gear.

This is a list of everything that my husband and I packed to day hike Mt. Whitney, along with information about whether or not we used an item. Most of the items that we didn’t end up needing were safety items that I hope we never need, but carry in case of an emergency. We flew to California for our hike and packed our hiking gear in checked luggage, which allowed us to bring our hiking poles.

Backpack: 

Carrying a backpack is essential when hiking Mt. Whitney, but the right pack is going to be a matter of personal preference. I carried a 24L pack, which I find to be the perfect size backpack for long day hikes, like Mt. Whitney.

Recommendation: Osprey Sirrus 24L pack  | ✅ used

Water Bladder & Water Filter: 

It’s important to stay hydrated while climbing Mt. Whitney. I went through 3L of water hiking to the summit and back down to Consultation Lake where I refilled my water bladder. While you don’t have to carry a water bladder, I prefer it over a water bottle for easy access while moving on the trail.

Recommendations: Osprey 3L water bladder & Sawyer Squeeze water filter | ✅ used both

Hiking Poles: 

I highly recommend having hiking poles when day hiking Mt. Whitney. There is A LOT of elevation gain and loss on this hike, and having poles will help take pressure off of your knees and help provide extra momentum when hiking uphill.

Recommendation: Trekology Hiking Poles  | ✅ used

Headlamp:

Summiting Mt. Whitney in one day requires getting an early start before dawn. Depending on how long your hike takes, you may also find yourself finishing in the dark. Carrying a headlamp is essential to help you navigate the trail in the dark.

Recommendation: Black Diamond Cosmo 350 Headlamp  | ✅ used

Windbreaker: 

It’s important to carry layers when climbing Mt. Whitney because you’re likely going to encounter different conditions throughout your hike. Wind is common on high peaks, so a lightweight windbreaker is always a good idea. It was very warm when I hiked Mt. Whitney, so I personally found a windbreaker to be the perfect outer layer while hiking in the shade on the backside of the mountain right before the summit.

Recommendation: Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell  | ✅ used

Puffy:

It’s a good idea to carry a warm jacket when climbing Mt. Whitney, regardless of the time of year. I hiked on a very warm day and submitted late enough in the morning that I didn’t need it, but I was glad to have it just in case. 

Recommendation: Patagonia Nano Puff  | ❌ didn’t use

Raincoat:

It’s not uncommon to experience rain and thunderstorms in the mountains, which makes carrying a raincoat a good idea. The forecast the day that we hiked had a 0% chance of rain, so I didn’t really need to carry mine, but I wanted to play it safe.

Recommendation: Patagonia Granite Crest Jacket  | ❌ didn’t use 

Extra Socks:

There are a few water crossings on the lower part of the trail. You can avoid the water with some careful rock hopping, but your feet may get wet. Having an extra pair of socks is also nice in case you want to freshen up your feet a bit in the middle of the hike.

Recommendation: Smartwool low-cut hiking socks  | ✅ used

Gloves:

Keep your hands and fingers warm while climbing Mt. Whitney by carrying a pair of gloves. I carried a pair of lightweight liner gloves, which were perfect when we were near the summit. If you’re hiking early or late in the season, you’re going to want to have a pair of heavier winter gloves.

Recommendation: Smartwool Merino Gloves  | ✅ used

Food:

Day hiking Mt. Whitney is strenuous and will have your body burning a lot more calories than usual. Make sure to carry a variety of snacks to eat, prioritizing fast carbs and salty snacks/electrolytes. I carried a bagel, salty chips, protein bars, and gummies (Nerds gummy clusters have been my go-to hiking snack all summer!). I definitely over packed food and didn’t eat most of it, but it’s better to be safe than hungry! ✅/❌

Emergency Bivvy:

Mt. Whitney is a long day hike in exposed, high-altitude terrain, and while hopefully you don’t have an emergency, it’s important to be prepared if you do. Carrying shelter, like an emergency bivvy, can help save your life in the event you have to spend an unexpected night in the backcountry.

Recommendation: SOL Emergency Bivvy | ❌ didn’t use, thankfully!

Hand warmers

Hand warmers are an item that I started keeping in my backpack when climbing mountains after a hike to the summit of Redcloud Peak a few years ago that left my fingers numb. While I didn’t need them while day hiking Mt. Whitney, they’re so lightweight, it’s easy to leave them in my pack just in case. 

Recommendation: Ignik Hand Warmers | ❌ didn’t use

Sunscreen: 

Sun protection is essential when hiking above treeline. Since you should be starting your hike in the dark it’s easy to forget sunscreen, so don’t forget to toss it into your pack the night before.

Recommendation: Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Sunscreen | ✅ used

WAG Bag:

It’s essential to carry a WAG bag when climbing Mt. Whitney to pack out your poop. Waste takes a long time to break down in high-altitude environments, which is why the best practice is to pack out your poop rather than dig a cat hole. There are WAG bags available at the trailhead if you don’t have your own. ❌ didn’t use

Permit:

As previously discussed, having a permit is required to hike in the Mount Whitney Zone between Lone Pine Lake and Trail Crest. ✅ used

Camera:

If you’re a photographer who wants to memorialize your hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney, it’s worth it to pack your camera. However, you definitely don’t need to lug a heavy camera to get great photos. My husband carried my Sony camera, but truthfully we relied more on our phone cameras.

Recommendation: Sony Alpha a7iii  | ✅ used

First-Aid Kit 

A first-aid kit is one of the 10 essentials and carrying one can come in handy in a variety of situations. I ended up getting a blister during the descent, so I was grateful to have moleskin in my first-aid kit to treat it.

Recommendation: Adventure Medical Kit  | ✅ used

Emergency GPS:

While I had some cell service at the summit of Mt. Whitney, you likely won’t have service throughout most of the hike. Carrying an emergency GPS that provides satellite communication allows you to get in touch with emergency officials ASAP if you need to. 

Recommendation: Garmin inReach mini 2 | ❌ didn’t use, thankfully!

Crampons & Ice Axe:

The trail was completely clear from snow in late July, but if you’re hiking when there’s snow on the trail an ice axe & crampons are necessary due to the exposed terrain. Attempting to day hike Mt. Whitney with snow and ice on the trail is even more challenging than a typical ascent and should only be attempted with the proper equipment and experience.

Things to Do Nearby Mt. Whitney

• Drive up Highway 395 and soak in hot springs, like Hilltop Hot Springs.
• While Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous U.S., the lowest is only 135 driving miles away in Death Valley National Park at Badwater Basin.

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