Inyo National Forest

Recreational Activities - Mt. Whitney

At 14,496 feet elevation, Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 states. The peak lies within the John Muir Wilderness and the Sequoia National Park Wilderness. These areas were set aside by Congress and the President to provide opportunities for solitude and unconfined, primitive types of recreation. Wilderness areas are places where the earth and its communities of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.

Thank you and enjoy your visit to Mt. Whitney,
Mt. Whitney Wilderness Rangers

General Conditions

Autumn conditions are highly variable. There may be long periods of pleasant weather, punctuated by winter storms. Such storms include extreme cold, wind and heavy snowfall. Night time temperatures are regularly below freezing, and have dipped to near zero on particularly cold nights. Snow and ice are beginning to accumulate, particularly on high north facing slopes.

When snow falls, it may melt quickly, or remain for the rest of the winter. High north facing slopes, such as “The Swichbacks” area and upper portions of the Mountaineers Route, accumulate snow and ice quickest, and retain it the longest. Snow conditions will vary dramatically, depending on weather, time of day, elevation and aspect. Basic winter mountaineering equipment, such as ice axes and crampons, may be necessary for safe and successful ascents (and descents).

Obtain a weather forecast and an avalanche report before climbing.

Permits and Permit Reservations

Year-round, everybody in the Mt. Whitney Zone must possess a valid wilderness permit. Permits are issued only at the InterAgency Visitor Center, 1 mile south of Lone Pine, CA.

Follow this link for more information about obtaining wilderness permits.

Safety is Your Responsibility!

Safety is YOUR responsibility. By any route, climbing Mt. Whitney is difficult and potentially dangerous. Every year visitors become sick, injured; and sometimes die. Almost all accidents occur on Mt. Whitney’s "easiest" routes, including the Mt. Whitney Trail and the Mountaineers Route. The following elements are recurrent factors in mountain rescues since 2003:

• Snow and ice (factor in 6 fatalities)
• Weather (factor in 3 fatalities)
• Exhaustion and altitude related illnesses, signs and symptoms are ignored (extremely common)
• Obvious hazards ignored or not recognized
• Poor judgment
• Simple stumbles and falls

Human Waste

Mt. Whitney visitors must pack-out their solid human waste. Pack-out kits are distributed with wilderness permits.

Each year, Mt. Whitney visitors pack out over 6,000 lbs of human waste!

Follow this link for more information about Pack-It-Out.

Leave No Trace at Mt. Whitney

So, you think you practice Leave-No-Trace. Can you state the Seven Principles?

Follow this link to learn how to Leave-No-Trace at Mt. Whitney.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Careful planning and preparation are essential for a safe and successful. In addition, well prepared visitors are much more likely to properly care for the areas that they visit.

Follow this link for more information about trip planning.

Bears and Proper Food Storage

From May 25 to October 31, all food, trash, toiletries and scented items must be stored containers designed to prevent access by bears. Hanging food is unacceptable and ineffective.

At Whitney Portal, all food, trash, toiletries and coolers must be removed from your vehicle and stored in bear-proof lockers. Failure to comply may result in extensive damage to your vehicle.

Follow this link for more information about bears and food storage.