There is a turn out just above the campground on whitney portal road signed meysan lake trail head. Mt whitney trailhead hiking, backpacking, and climbing. Beyond the physical superlatives, hiking the mount whitney trail is a beautiful experience in and of itself, and its very doable for southern californians. The trail cuts through the gummy warmups and kicks off quick with immediate elevation 3365ft in total. Whitney portal road is a short but spectacular drive that takes you about halfway up mount whitney, located in inyo county, in the eastern central part of california, in usa. Trail and campground status page for the mount whitney ranger district of inyo national forest. At an elevation of 14,501 feet, mount whitney is the tallest mountain in california and the tallest peak in the lower 48. Acclimatization day arrive at whitney portal campground around 3 p.
Inyo national forest has online information on campgrounds available. For a oneday hike a reasonable plan is to arrive at the whitney portal campground 8600 feet two days before the hike. Ive also stayed at the whitney portal campground and its an attractive option, since its right at the trailhead. Some areas are for day use, and others are for overnight backpackers. The other two are walkinonly campgrounds, so you cannot make reservations, and thats probably why recreation.
The campground is located off whitney portal road, about 7 miles from the mt. Meysan lake is a great location to camp, although the short fourmile hike can be arduous because of the 3,600 feet elevation gain. The mt whitney trailhead is actually better known as the whitney portal, and outside of a few main starting points in yosemite and sequoia national parks, it is probably the busiest trailhead in all the sierra nevada. Always camp at least 100 feet from any water source. Whitney trailhead and 6 miles from the town of lone pine. Whitney portal campground in inyo, california were fans of that old saying the more the merrier, especially when it comes to group camping. Whitney is considered an easy summit, relatively speaking of course. At an elevation of 14,495 feet, whitney looms high above death valley, the lowest point in north america at 262 feet below sea level, less than 100 miles to the east. Also, make sure to sign the summit registry located outside the whitney hut. Lone pine creek campground is just 6 miles down the road from whitney portal and 43 campsites.
The whitney portal store is a great place to stock up on gear and souvenirs and to get an outstanding view of mount whitney trail and peak. If you have visited whitney portal group campground before, please tell us about it with a comment below. Whitey portal campground is located up the road, about 6 miles away. Whitney portal is the gateway to mount whitney, the highest point in the contiguous united states. The views of the sierras are incredible here and theres an abundance of fishing and hiking opportunities nearby. Whitney portal message board hiking conditions, reports. Whitney portal campground, california whitney portal campground is a locale located in inyo county, ca at n36. On the downside, it can get busy and loud with kids running around. Whitney and opening up much of the area to tourism, as well as high altitude scientific research based at the 107year old stone hut on the summit of mt. Its located miles from the town of lone pine off of whitney portal road. Each day is full on and at high altitudes, but it affords you amazing views along the john muir trail plus you get to cross over 3 diffe. Like a welcoming relative, whitney portal provides firewood, fire grates, restrooms, and piped water. If you walk all the way to the eastern most point of the summit, you can see the road leading up to the whitney portal and the remaining portion of the hike, along with the owens valley.
Round trip miles 8 miles elevation gain 3120 trailhead elevation 5,640, west end of lone pine campground on whitney portal road difficulty moderate with a. It starts at whitney portal, miles 21 km west of the town of lone pine, california. At the store, we keep last minute supplies for hiking, camping, fishing, and related items for the portal visitors. Orientation notes for whitney first timers reference.
The campground at whitney portal is only at 8,000 feet elevation. Park on the side of the road next to the whitney portal campground. Most overnighters use this camp as the stopping point before going on to the summit in the morning. From the parking area, hike across the campground along a series of paved driveways and follow the signs through a summer home area. By far the easiset route is the mount whitney trail from the whitney portal campground at the end of a paved road from lone pine.
Mt whitney trail camp or high camp shown above is one crowded location during peak season. This is not necessary for mt whitney but some acclimatization is recommended. Whitney portal campground, lone pine, california rei. Many who visit the campground come with plans to climb. Oct 17, 2019 the whitney portal store is a great place to stock up on gear and souvenirs and to get an outstanding view of mount whitney trail and peak. Things nobody tells you about hiking mt whitney upon 2020. Whitney and lone pine campgrounds whitney portal rd, lone pine, california 93545 rated 4. The mount whitney trail is a trail that climbs mount whitney.
Horseshoe meadows to mount whitney and whitney portal. Whitney and the john muir wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, rv. Campers can see striking views of the rugged granite peaks surrounding it. It is a graded, wellmaintained trail that uses hundreds and hundreds of switchbacks to gain the crest of the sierra a mile or so south of the summit, and then winds along behind the craggy pinnacles of the crest to. Whatever you are, theres a spot for you at whitney portal family campground. Part of the whitney portal recreation area located miles from the town of lone pine, california. The whitney portal campground is also a convenient base camp, although it is often full. Bears do frequent the area so be sure to store all food in the bearproof lockers. Whitney portal national recreation trail california. Horseshoe meadow campgrounds in california camping by tom stienstra. The main attraction is that it is the jumping off point for hiking mt. So if the reservable campground is full when you want camp at the portal, dont panic.
Campgrounds, parking lots, bearproof food storage facilities, a store and a. Cottonwood lakes trailhead campground is located at the end of horseshoe meadow road in the inyo national forest. Its likely to be windy and cold at this elevation so hopefully you wore layers. Whitney and the john muir wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, rv and tent. Whitney portal road campgrounds interstellar orchard.
Whitney portal formerly, hunter flat and hunters camp is the end of the whitney portal road in inyo county, california. Tents and rvs are allowed, and some spots can be reserved in advance. The hike is about 22 mi 35 km round trip, with an elevation gain of over. The whitney portal store, located miles west of lone pine, lies next to the mount whitney trail head and has operated by permit from the inyo national forest since 1987. The trail we hiked the whitney portal national recreation trail was constructed from the town of lone pine to whitney portal in 1904, providing access to the peak of mt. Horseshoe meadows to mount whitney and whitney portal trailhead via new army pass is a 60. Its the highest summit in the contiguous united states with an elevation of 4. Some may be reserved in advance, but others are only yours on a firstcome, firstserved basis.
The hike is about 22 mi 35 km round trip, with an elevation gain of over 6,100 feet 1,860 m. All sites include a fire pit, picnic table and a lantern holder. Whitney portal campground sierra nevada campgrounds. Whitney the tallest mountain in the continental united states. Tuttle creek campground offers 83 rvtent sites, with ten pullthrough trailer spaces, maximum recommended rv length is 30 feet. Whitney and the john muir wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, rv, and tent campers who wish to explore the areas activities and. Whitney portal campground is in a prime location within the eastern sierra nevada mountains at the base of mt. Camping is allowed along most of the trail, more than 100 ft 30 m from water, but level ground that. Many who visit the campground come with plans to climb to the summit of 14,505foot mt. To find out more about campgrounds in the inyo national forest, go to the inyo nf campground page. Horseshoe meadow campgrounds golden trout wilderness. Start the hike by cutting through the campground, and passing some seasonal cabin style residences. It is an extremely popular trail, and its access is restricted by quotas from may to october.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, ice climbing, and backpacking and is best used from april until october. Theres a general store that has food, drinks, beers, gifts, and limited gear. Whitney portal road, a mountain drive in the sierra nevada. The latitude and longitude coordinates of whitney portal group campground are 36. At an elevation of 8,000 feet youll have the opportunity to relax in the shadow of snow capped peaks and aside quiet lakes.
At the store, we try to keep last minute supplies for hiking, camping, fishing, and related items for the portal visitors. Whitney portal campground rests in the shadow of mt. Whitney portal group campground topo map, inyo county ca. Beyond this third and final campground is the staging area for the mt. Acclimatization day day hike around the whitney portal area.
You can acclimatize better if you can camp above 9,000 feet elevation. Outdoor recreation in the area includes fishing, picnicking, hikingbackpacking, horseback riding, stargazing and wildlife viewing. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental united states. The trail begins in the lone pine campground at 5,900 feet elevation in the great basin desert and climbs four miles along the south. The whitney portal campground is located at the 8,000foot elevation in the eastern sierra mountain range. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states, rises like the phoenix from the western rim of the great basin desert of california. Jun 03, 2016 outstanding views of mount whitney the highest peak in the continental united states and the eastern sierra escarpment, lone pine creek, the alabama hills, and the white and inyo mountains are the key features of the whitney portal national recreation trail. The campground is 24 miles southwest of the town of lone pine. Whitney portal family campground in inyo, california tent dweller. The ultimate guide to backpacking from onion valley to. Book whitney portal campground, lone pine on tripadvisor. Outstanding views of mount whitney the highest peak in the continental united states and the eastern sierra escarpment, lone pine creek, the alabama hills, and the white and inyo mountains are the key features of the whitney portal national recreation trail. Whitney portal campgrounds recreation resource management. At 10,000 feet in elevation, cottonwood lakes trailhead campground makes a good place to spend a night before setting off into the john muir wilderness and sequoia national park.
Beyond forester pass the trail continues over towards trail crest with nearby access to the summit of mt. Mt whitney trail condition reports from the folks who live and work on the mountain. Whitney the tallest mountain in the continental united states at 14,505 feet and other trails in the john muir wilderness. The mount whitney trail requires a pass to hike due to the over excessive use so there are. Whitney and the john muir wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, rv and tent campers who wish to explore the areas. Cottonwood lakes trailhead campground inyo national forest. When entering the parking area, pay close attention to the signs. For example, for a saturday summit, arrive thursday afternoon. The whitney portal campground doesnt just have hikers. Whitney portal is the end of the whitney portal road in inyo county, california. Overviewwhitney portal campground is in a prime location within the eastern sierra nevada mountains at the base of mt.