Hiking Mt Whitney - June 2026

samplanme
Jul 3
2 min read

Updated: Jul 17

What: hiking Mt Whitney (highest point in the contiguous US at 14,505') is a 21.4 mile roundtrip hike gaining over 6,100 feet in elevation! This trail is labled as dificult, training and prep is highly recommended! Like reading this blog!

Where: google maps to trailhead

After reaching Trail Camp (where we had a permit to stay a night) we took the 99 switchbacks on the way to the summit.

When: Preferrably after snow has melted (July- early August) before afternoon storms (typical in the afternoon) have the potential to stall or ruin your summit bid!

we were able to hike late June (18-19) without crampons (but with hiking poles) - this is technically shoulder season, but we got lucky with a few hot weeks to help melt the snow). It is still possible to hike Mt Whitney with snow cover, but via the Mountineering route (helmets, ice axe, crampons).

How: Permit required!

^plan ahead because permits are competitive and are a lottery system Feb1-March1 (or as they become available due to cancellations)

RECAP: Day 1 VIDEO

4:00am drive from Dana Point to Lone Pine

8:30am arrive in Lone Pine

10:00am start hike

10:30am start taking 30 min snack and hydration breaks (taking the trail slow, eating and drinking is key to avoiding altitude sickness/issues...plus starting at 8k elevation is no joke!!)

12:00pm stopped at Lone Pine lake for lunch (worth the small detour)

2:00pm reached 10k in elevation

5:00pm arrived at Trail Camp at 12k elevation (where we had our permits to stay the night)

6:00pm set up camp and make dinner

8:00pm sun was down, time to try to sleep!!

RECAP: Day 2

3:30am wake up call!

4:00am breakfast and pack up day packs (food and whatever else we will need for summit, keeping our tent and sleeping bags/pads at camp)

4:30am start the trek to 99 switchbacks

8:00am finish 99 switchbacks and get to the real hardest part..the final 2 miles to the peak! Truly this last 2 miles felt like a marathon!

10:00am reach the summit, hooray!! I was experiencing the worst headache ever and some tummy issues but as we descended I started to feel better by the minute (slay)

11:00am back down we go!

3:00pm arrived back to Trail Camp...how did it take us so long to go down?! beats me lol

4:30pm packed up and ready as hell to get down to the trailhead and get a burger in my hands

7:30pm back at the car hallelujah

8:30pm eating McDonalds hallelujah