How Long Does It Take to Climb Mt Whitney?
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How Long Does It Take to Climb Mt Whitney?
So, you’ve been an avid hiker for a while and are thinking about taking a really epic adventure, maybe climbing the highest peak in the U.S. proper? You may be surprised to learn that the highest peak in the U.S. (at least the 48 contiguous states) is in fact NOT in the Rockies. It lies about smack-dab in the middle of California, bordering between the Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Park. (Also, interestingly, this point is only about 90 miles away from the lowest point in the lower 48 in Death Valley National Park.) Mount Whitney, located in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range, towers (and continues to grow) at 14,505 feet. Surprisingly, you don’t need any special mountain climbing gear to summit this majestic peak. If you’ve reached this article, then you’re probably wondering just how long it takes to climb Mt Whitney. That’s what we’re here to answer, so let’s get started!
So, how long does it take to climb Mount Whitney? In a nutshell, it just depends on how long you want to take. Depending on your determination, you can complete this in a long day hike, ranging from speedy at 8 hours, an intermediate pace at 13 hours, or 18 hours round trip for those taking a leisurely pace. (These are estimates, mind you. You know what shape you are in and how well you can handle tough terrain better than anyone.) Or, you can complete this in a 2-day (or more) overnight trip, spending the night at one of the 4 established camps along the trail. Lone Pine Lake is 2.8 miles in, Outpost at 3.8 miles, Consultation Lake (which is near the next, and most popular, one), and Trail Camp at 6 miles in. (Important note: The Lone Pine Lake Camp is not within the Mt. Whitney permit area, but you will still need an overnight Mt. Whitney permit to camp there. More on permits in a minute.)
Being the highest point in the 48 continental U.S. states and 22 miles in length round trip, the hike to and from the summit of Mount Whitney is, not surprisingly, rated as very difficult. Even though you don’t need any special rock climbing or mountaineering gear, it gives even hikers in great physical condition a run for their money. Luckily, the Mount Whitney Trail starts at around 7,500 feet above sea level (since you are already in the Sierras) and gains an elevation of 6,960 feet, making this hike not seem quite so daunting.
Tips and Fun Facts
- If doing this as a day hike, it is suggested to start before dawn to allow yourself ample time to complete it before sundown. Even then, depending on how quickly you make the hike, you may end up hiking in the dark for a bit.
- The best time to hike the Mount Whitney trail is between July and September (There is less to no chance of snow in the higher elevations at this time of year.)
- As already stated, Mount Whitney is special because it is the highest peak in the 48 contiguous states. It also happens to lie at the southern end of the famous 200 mile long John Muir Trail. You can also reach the Pacific Crest Trail and High Sierra Trail in this area, among many other trails.
- While it should go without saying, always make sure to have a First Aid Kit at your disposal during any outdoor activity.
A Word About Permits
Special permits are required to hike up Mount Whitney, whether you’re planning a day hike or spending the night, permits are required for each. It’s worth noting that you have a better chance of gaining/winning a day use permit than an overnight one for the “quota season”. They hold a lottery for permits to hike during this time. The lottery is open from February 1st to March 15th, with the results published on March 24th. Quota season limits the number of people per day who are hiking on Mt.Whitney. The season is from May 1st through November 1st. You can obtain a permit at the visitor’s center any other time of the year without having to go through the lottery…But the weather can be unpredictable, as you can imagine, this time of year and only very experienced hikers/climbers should probably attempt it during the “off season”.
In case you’re wondering, yes, there are separate quotas for day use and overnight permits/hikers. 100 day use hikers are allowed per day in the Mt.Whitney Zone and only 60 are issued per day for overnight users during the quota season. If you’re planning on traveling with a group, you should know this is limited as well to 15 people max. The group size limits are non-discriminatory and apply all year round to both day use and overnight hikers.
Now, if you’re anything like me (read: a little bit of a rebel), you may be feeling a little put off by all of these rules. You just want to go out and have an epic adventure, right? BUT, it actually makes sense if you think about it in these terms:
- The powers that be are most likely limiting the usage because they want to decrease the impact that we humans are having on this natural landscape so that more nature lovers and hikers can enjoy it for years to come! (Plus, if I were to guess, they are probably also using the lottery system as a way to keep those less experienced and wanting to trek up this mountain on a whim at bay because the fact remains, it is a grueling hike, even for the fittest among us! 14,000+ feet is nothing to sneeze at!)
- We’ve all been here: We’re super excited about this great hike/backpacking trip we have planned, right? The day finally arrives and we get out on the trail to find…a bunch of other people. Kind of takes away from the experience, doesn’t it? Moreover, who wants to “fight” over the best campsites along the trail or even continue hiking on to locate another one after a long, tiring day of walking? When you think about it this way, it’s actually kind of nice that you can expect only so many people along your route up Mt.Whitney, especially with it being a once in a lifetime experience for most of us!
Altitude Sickness and WAG Bags
Even though 19,000 some hikers attempt Mt.Whitney each year, it is very much a challenging hike. Being the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, the altitude of this location presents special challenges. It is important to prepare and get acclimated to altitude changes ahead of time, perhaps by going on shorter hikes that also climb into higher altitudes. Barring that or if you are prone to altitude sickness, it may also be prudent to try and get access to an overnight permit so that you can stay at one of the camps overnight, allowing yourself more time to get acclimated to the higher altitude.
Ah, the age old question of how to dispose of waste while out in the wilderness. For a long time, varying types of toilets/outhouses were tried along the Mt.Whitney trail and summit. (A helicopter flew 4,000lbs of waste off of the mountain each year! Can you imagine?!) Needless to say, none proved to be feasible solutions, so, in 2004, hikers were asked to carry their own waste out in what are known as WAG bags (which are included with your permit fee). These are basically large, glorified trash bags that hikers can do their business in and then carry back and deposit in the appropriate waste containers next to the bathroom at the trailhead. Kind of a pain in the butt (pun intended), but you have to admit it’s a much more eco-friendly way of disposing of waste than having a bunch of poo all over the mountain or operating helicopters to pick it up.
How Long Does It Take to Climb Mt Whitney - Conclusion
While Mount Whitney does have a bunch of “hoops” to jump through as far as acquiring permits goes, it is definitely worth the trip if you’re ready. Just remember to be smart: Check the weather for multiple altitudes, not just at the base of the mountain, go when conditions are favorable (accidents do happen and there have been casualties in the off season), get in shape as much as possible in advance, and prepare yourself for altitude changes. If you’re looking for even more adventure, check out our articles “Most Popular Hikes in Glacier National Park” and “5 of the Best Adirondacks Backpacking Loops“. Happy hiking!
