Whitney casts its sunset shadow over the meadow by outpost camp and lone pine peak. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous united states. If you are looking for a place the night before you permit start date, better acclimation than whitney portal would be horseshoe meadows at 10,000 plus. You can either reserve at the official campsite at the whitney portal campground, or hike up mount whitney and stay at the nonreservable campsites either at mile 4 outpost camp or mile 6 trail camp. Whitney are reserved online due to the high demand and are randomly issued by a lottery. Its also the first place that really introduced me to the great outdoors and let me fall in love with the mountains. Larry would be arriving a couple hours later, so christian offered to hang out at the portal and wait for larry, while i went ahead and started the hike. Hiking the high sierra trail guitar lake to mt whitney and outpost camp september 27, 2016 by greg glass 2 comments day seven on the high sierra trail we decided to get up at 4. This is a long and strenuous outandback trek that summits mt. As your passing outpost camp, youll see mirror lake. There is a general store and restaurant at whitney portal, open from midmay to midseptember, groceries, camping gear, food and drinks are available, as. May 12, 2009 glissading down a foot snowfield is the reward for climbing mt.
As the trail continues through some brush, there are some secluded campsites off the trail in the upper part of outpost camp. Outpost camp outpost camp is nestled in the corner of the meadows on a stretch of dirt and rock and is a great place to spend the night. Outpost camp, at 10,360 feet, is another good option. Going down is about 23 hours quicker than going up. Gps data description file name and type size gps waypoints and tracks for the mt. The 24 campsites in the walkin campground have a one night stay limit. Prior to the mountain becoming civilized, we get a snapshot of an earlier era in a 1930s mt whitney pack trains brochure. That, combined with the fact that its still quite a ways away from the summit means that not too many people stay at outpost camp anymore, but we all thought it would make a lovely camp. Jan 24, 2014 outpost camp search and recovery posted on january 24, 2014 december 12, 2015 despite the evening callout, most members were relieved to find out that it was a rare daytime mission for the next morning.
If you are more sensitive to altitude or dont have time to acclimate before you start, camp here. If youre planning an extended trip or having difficulty acclimatizing to the high altitude, you may choose to stay at the outpost camp at 3. Although you are certain to be ready for the hike to end by the time you get to outpost camp, it is a great option for prudent hikers looking to avoid the entire whitney to portal descent and its tendency to punish knees and feet. Trail camp is the most popular and convenient camping option. Outpost camp map mount whitney, california mapcarta. Were camping at lone pine, then whitney portal, then doing outpost camp just to make sure we dont rush things and because we like any excuse to get out of l. There are some side trails to campsites, so take care to stay on the main trail, especially at night. We camped in the same spot for 3 nights at consultation lake, on a very flexible schedule. Whitney was the first mountain to kick my butt and now keeps me coming back almost every year. Those feeling the effects of the altitude will want to stay at outpost camp, however, most people making a multiday trip stay at trail camp. Jun 04, 2011 im going to make an unorthodox suggestion for a twoday hike. Questions about horseshoe meadows and outpost camp general. Once past lone pine lake, it is only one mile further to outpost camp.
We offer programs for ages 35 pre camp, grades k5 day camp and grades 69 senior outpost, with sessions lasting three weeks. Aug 16, 2018 where to camp on the mt whitney trail. Most overnighters use this camp as the stopping point before going on to the summit in the morning. Finishing the high sierra trail outpost camp to whitney. This walkin campground is buzzing with backpackers in the summer months hoping to make it to the top of the seriously majestic mt. There is a general store and restaurant at whitney portal, open from midmay to midseptember, groceries, camping gear, food and drinks are available, as well as hot showers for a fee. Mt whitney climbing, hiking, and backpacking timberline trails. There were many hikers on the trail, most of which were passing adam and i by. Outpost camp is nestled in the corner of the meadows on a stretch of dirt and rock and is a great place to spend the night. Whitney portal campground map mount whitney, california. Wed be staying overnight at outpost camp one or both nights, which is about 3. The sheer height of the bare granite summit, combined with its dramatic appearance rising more than 10,000 feet from the town of lone pine, calif. This is a nice place to camp if you are looking for something lower than 12,000.
At outpost camp the crest of mount whitney comes into view as well as the area of the 97 switchbacks off to the west. When you are finally ready double check to make sure you didnt leave any food or food smelly stuff in your car head over to the back pack weighing station at the beginning of the hike and see just how heavy that monkey on your. Mount whitney, eastern sierra, sierra nevada, california, united states, north america latitude. Camping on the main mt whitney trail usually takes place at either outpost camp 3, or trail camp 6. My name is steve and this channel is all about hiking, backpacking, and enjoying the outdoors in southern california and beyond. Having extra time on mt whitney will enable you to take time out to enjoy these camps. There used to be a solar composting toilet at this camp, but its been removed. As you proceed up the trail after your visit to outpost camp, you will be able to look back and get a great view of the meadows below as shown in the right hand photo. The gps track shows the portion of the trail i hiked on this occasion, with the orange dot showing the location of my car in the whitney portal parking area. Whitney, the pyramidal potentate of the sierra nevada, is the tallest mountain in the contiguous united states. Mt whitney, in california, is the highest peak in the lower 48 states at 14,505 feet. The trail averages 550 of elevation gain per mile and features two designated campsites along the way, the generally uncrowded outpost camp 10,360, which is situated in a nicely sheltered meadow beside some running streams, and the much more popular trail camp 12,039.
Id get my overnight permit the following day and id sleep at outpost camp. Whitney trailhead campground is located at whitney portal, miles west of the town of lone pine. Hiking the high sierra trail guitar lake to mt whitney and outpost. Sierra trail, hiking from guitar lake to the summit of mt whitneythe highest point in the contiguous 48 statesthen on to outpost camp. Always camp at least 100 feet from any water source. Hiking the high sierra trail guitar lake to mt whitney and. Sep 27, 2016 hiking the high sierra trail guitar lake to mt whitney and outpost camp september 27, 2016 by greg glass 2 comments day seven on the high sierra trail we decided to get up at 4. Questions about horseshoe meadows and outpost camp. Keep hiking and youll see a waterfall and probably some tents, this is outpost camp. There are various lakes and streams between whitney portal and outpost camp. Outpost camp is the first of the two main camps on the mount whitney trail. Im going to make an unorthodox suggestion for a twoday hike. Trailside backcountry camping is available outpost camp 3.
Whitney overnight the best main trail to trail camp. Consultation lake sits at around 11,700 feet and is near to trail camp. If you have a twoday permit for the hike, there are camping accommodations on mount whitney. This is a short stage but very steep as the trail works its way up a granite escarpment. You can also camp at consultation lake near trail camp, outpost camp 3.
Outpost camp with an interactive map and directions. Outpost camp has a stream that runs through it where you can fill up. Whitney trailhead campground is your basecamp before you venture deeper into the wilderness. Outpost camp via mount whitney trail california gaia gps. Sep 28, 2016 finishing the high sierra trail outpost camp to whitney portal september 28, 2016 by greg glass 23 comments we were in no hurry to get up and do this last 5 miles or so down to the portal but when youve got whitney hikers coming up all night long with headlamps blasting, you tend to not get the weeks best sleep. The camp is intended for those who are setting out into the wilderness the following day. The mount whitney trail contains two official campsites. T o start the hike, take the mt whitney portal road from lone pine all the way until it ends at the mt whitney portal. Im thinking, acclimatization wise, id do better sleeping at 10k and having a longer but not that long by my standards summit day versus sleeping at 12k and having an easier summit day with the risk of. I ended up going as far as outpost camp, around 4 miles from the trailhead and at nearly 10,400 feet elevation. There are usually abundant spaces, and with an early start on the following morning, you.
Some groups decide to tackle the summit the next day from this camp, and others use. Outpost summer camps will be closed for the summer of 2020 due to the covid19 pandemic. The wind chased us all the way to outpost camp, where we finally. Its much prettier and less crowded than trail camp. There are lakes along the whitney trail where you can get water. To book these, you just state on your permit where youll be camping. We like this place, it was at 10,000 feet so we could acclimate faster for mt whitney. The two popular campgrounds on this trail are outpost camp at 10,335 and trail camp at 12,000 at 3. With some careful planning, some conditioning, and the right mental attitude this can be a successful day and an unforgettable experience.
This is a difficult one way trail to outpost camp in john muir wilderness. Your two usual camp spots on the standard route are outpost camp 0ish, 34miles in and trail camp 12000, 7 miles in. Climbing mt whitney in may mt whitney, in california, is the highest peak in the lower 48 states at 14,505 feet. We take a leasurely five days to hike to the top of whitney via the spectacular cottonwood pass route, passing through the golden trout wilderness and entering deep into sequoia national park. The hike is 22 miles round trip gaining just over 6700 feet of elevation beginning of the mt whitney trail at whitney portal, 8,374 feet above sea level. It is sheltered by trees, near a waterfall and bighorn meadow. Whitney you have three campsite options on the mountain from whitney portal. If youre camping, this is the first place to camp on the trail. Whitney portal to outpost camp in daylight posted on june 17, 2018 by trailhiker when i hiked the mt whitney trail from whitney portal to the summit of mt whitney two summers ago, several factors were in my favor. The 4hour hike from the whitney portal trailhead to trail camp includes stream crossings, bridges, a variety of alpine flowers in the summer, a potential sidehike to lone pine lake, and a constant view of the extraordinary ridges and mountains that surround the.
Along the way the trail becomes a staircase with steps as high as a foot or more. Therefore, if you are a beginner andor not in top physical shape it is easy to spend up to 18 hours on this day hike. The trail was dry and dusty as we made the initial set of steep switchbacks rising from 8,367 feet to outpost camp at 10,365 feet, a trip of about 3. Many people make this a twoday hike camping at outpost camp or 12,000 ft trail camp. At least, try to camp at whitney portal 8600 on the front end of your trip.
Whitney is a fast pace of 5 hours, a moderate time of 78 hours, and a slow hike of 10 hours. Mt whitney trail camp or high camp shown above is one crowded location during peak season. Mount whitney hike via whitney portal outdoor project. Camping at consultation lake was considerably less crowded than trail camp, located a short ways before trail camp along the mt whitney trail. Finishing the high sierra trail outpost camp to whitney portal september 28, 2016 by greg glass 23 comments we were in no hurry to get up and do this last 5 miles or so down to the portal but when youve got whitney hikers coming up all night long with headlamps blasting, you tend to not get the weeks best sleep. Please click here to read about this summer camp at outpost is a san diego tradition and we look forward to you joining our camp family in 2021. And it is sweet, flying down the steep bowl directly below trail crest on the seat of your winter climbing pants, ice crystals exploding in your face, and with nothing but an ice ax to check your speed. Outpost camp is just slightly more than one mile from lone pine lake 3. When the trail is free of snow in the summer months to early fall, you can follow a well maintained trail up to the summit. Hiking the high sierra trail guitar lake to mt whitney. Outpost camp search and recovery posted on january 24, 2014 december 12, 2015 despite the evening callout, most members were relieved to find out that it was a rare daytime mission for the next morning. Mount whitney summit hike via mount whitney trail on june 2830, 20, my friends and i hiked to the summit of mount whitney via its most popular route, the mount whitney trail. The 4hour hike from the whitney portal trailhead to trail camp includes stream crossings, bridges, a variety of alpine flowers in the summer, a potential sidehike to lone pine lake, and a constant view of the extraordinary ridges and mountains that surround the trail.
Climb mount whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, via the more scenic and less crowded route. The trail winds through outpost camp and then back out the other side, marked by a sign for the mt whitney trail. Mt whitney trail hiking and backpacking timberline trails. Outpost camp is just about 1 mile inside the whitney zone. The mt whitney trail is a well maintained 11 mile foot path to the summit of mt whitney.