Mt. Whitney
Whether you are seeking a one day hiking challenge, an overnight ascent or beginning the trek of your dreams, climbing Mt. Whitney is sure to be a memorable experience. Located on the eastside of California's beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Mt Whitney Trail starts in Inyo National Forest at Whitney Portal, 8,300 feet above sea level. The trail gains over 6,200 feet of elevation before reaching the summit in Sequoia National Park. The summit of Mt. Whitney is the southern end of the John Muir Trail. Named for the naturalist, author and early wilderness preservation advocate, the John Muir Trail extends from the summit of Mt Whitney more than 200 miles north to reach Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley.
Most day hikers choose the classic Mt. Whitney Trail. The 22-mile round-trip hike will challenge even very fit hikers. Expect to hike 12 to 14 hours to the summit and back. Consider starting before sunrise. Be prepared to hike in the dark. Choose your dates wisely. The Mt. Whitney Trail is a non-technical, but strenuous, route to the summit when it is free of snow. However when snow or ice is on the mountain winter mountaineering skills and equipment are necessary for safe travel. The trail is usually snow-free from July to late September. Any day hikers attempting more technical rock climbing routes should carefully research the difficulty.
For the backpacker attempting to go up and back on the Mt. Whitney Trail, a popular travel plan is to stay one or two nights camping at Lone Pine Lake (10,000ft level), Outpost Camp (10,500ft level), Consultation Lake (11,000ft level) or Trail Camp (12,000ft level). The Mt Whitney Trail overnight permit can also be extended to continue onto the John Muir Trail giving the opportunity to trek the longest roadless section of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.
If you are a climber planning a multi-day trip that will approach the East Face, East Buttress, Mountaineers Route or routes on Mt Russell you will need the overnight permit for the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek trail found on the page for other Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits.
For more information or help planning your trip, please call the Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit Office (760) 873-2483. Trips sponsored by organizations or commercial groups must contact the permit office before applying for a Mt. Whitney permit.
Permit & Season Information
A wilderness permit is required year-round to visit Mt. Whitney.
Day Use Permit: Choose the route appropriate for your group, Mt. Whitney Trail or climbing routes like the Mountaineers Route. Permit is required to day hike anywhere within the red boundary, see Map
- Valid for one day only, midnight to midnight.
- Consecutive day use permits are not allowed.
- Day Use Permit cannot be combined with other permits to pass through or exit Mt Whitney.
Overnight – Mt Whitney Trail: This permit is for multi day trips starting on the classic Mt Whitney Trail, including camping at Lone Pine Lake
- Permit can stay for multiple nights and may exit at other locations, like John Muir Trail to Yosemite National Park.
- This permit does not include trips up North Fork of Lone Pine Creek trail to approach climbing routes like Mountaineers Route, East Face, East Buttress, or Mt Russell.
Trips sponsored by organizations or commercial groups must contact the permit office, a special use permit may be needed.
Need to Know
Mt Whitney permits are reserved online through the lottery. Lottery results will be posted on your recreation.gov account on March 15th. April 21st is the deadline to claim an awarded reservation from the lottery. You must complete the reservation details and pay the $15 per person fee or your reservation will be canceled. After the lottery any unclaimed dates will open for reservations on April 22nd.
No refunds for Mt Whitney reservations. Fees cannot be transferred to other dates, no rain checks or credits.
One week before the trip you can print at home or request the permit. No Show / Print Permit Instructions
Permit will be canceled as a No Show unless you print your permit before the No Show deadline:
- Noon one day before entry date for Whitney Day Use
- 10am on entry date for Overnight Mt Whitney Trail
The signed permit must be in the group leader’s possession during the trip and must be presented to rangers upon request. The group leader signing the permit is accepting responsibility that everyone in the group will follow the rules and regulations on the permit.
Be Bear Aware!
Be alert when arriving at night. There is a high level of bear activity at Whitney Portal. Do not leave food or refuse in your car or tent. Do not leave food or your pack unattended.
- At Whitney Portal: All food and scented items must be removed from vehicles and secured in bear proof lockers located in parking areas. Dispose of trash in bear resistant trash cans.
- On the trail: Day hikers, keep your pack with you at all times. Overnight hikers, bear resistant containers are required for food and trash storage.
Human Waste Disposal
There are no restrooms along the trail. Mt. Whitney visitors are expected to pack-out their solid human waste (poop and paper). Pack-out kits are available at the visitor center and at the trailhead. Dispose of pack-out kits in the waste disposal box located near the restrooms at Whitney Portal Trailhead.
Behave Responsibly
Every visit to Wilderness has impacts. Do your part to minimize yours by following regulations and Leave No Trace practices.
- Pack out all your trash, help keep our wilderness areas pristine.
- Protect water quality, don’t use soap in natural waterways, even biodegradable soap can damage aquatic life. Waste water should be scattered at least 100 feet away from any water source.
- Don’t cut switchbacks, shortcutting damages the trail and adds to erosion.
- No drones, they are prohibited in wilderness.
- No loud audio devices, let the sounds of nature be part of the wilderness experience.
- Campfires are restricted in many areas, wood growth is very slow at high elevation and what little wood exists helps sustain the natural soil, plant and animal community.
- Do not camp on vegetation, these fragile areas are easily damaged. Choose a campsite at least 100 feet away from lakes, streams, or trails.
Safety Is No Accident! Tips from Inyo County Search & Rescue
Prepare for your trip by getting in shape. Take time to acclimate to the effects of high altitude. Stay together in case your friends need help.
- Leave trip information with a friend with instructions of when to report you overdue, ReCon Trip Record Form
- Plan a turnaround time to allow a safe descent down the mountain.
- Be prepared to find your way, download maps in advance.
- Don't rely on cell phone for communication or navigation; most of trail has no cell service.
- Bring adequate supplies of food, water and clothing.
- Learn symptoms of altitude sickness.
- Check weather and trail conditions.
Entry Date & Exit Date
Entry Date is the day you will begin on the trail. Exit Date is the day you will come off the trail.
- For Day Use entry and exit date are the same; the day you are hiking on the trail.
- Permit is only valid to start on the entry date stated.
- Do not include days that are not part of the backpacking trip like campgrounds or motels the night before or after the trip. Whitney Portal Campground is not in the wilderness.
Fee Policy
All people count for wilderness quotas and fees. Prices are not different for military, seniors or children.
Reservation Fee:
A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each permit reservation. The reservation fees are used to finance the on-line reservation system.
Recreation Fee:
A $15.00 per person fee is charged for trips entering the Whitney Zone (Mt. Whitney, North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, and Trail Crest Exit). These fees are used to finance on-the-ground wilderness programs in Inyo National Forest.
There are no refunds for Mt. Whitney permits.
Recreation fees cannot be transferred to alternate dates. No rain checks or credits.
Cancellation Policy
Reservations cannot be sold or transferred. Only the group leader or alternate listed on the original reservation can pick up or use the permit. Leader or alternate leader names cannot be changed or added.
Changes you can make online:
- Reducing group size. There is no refund for reduction in group size.
- To change entry date or permit type, cancel and re-book a new reservation for the desired trip. You will pay new fees. There is no refund or credit for the canceled trip.
- Changing exit date for overnight trips can be done online or when the permit is issued.
Log onto your account at Recreation.gov to make changes or call the wilderness permit office for Inyo National Forest for reservation assistance (760) 873-2483.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
351 Pacu Lane Bishop CA 93514
Phone Number
760-873-2483
