Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Sleeping in car @ Cottonwood Trailhead

Is it legal / possible to sleep in suv at Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead car park?
I will be arriving around Midnight - then have to drive back down to LP next morning to get 3 day permit.
Just thought the night at altitude may be useful.

Not sure if it's strictly legal, but I doubt you'd be harrassed.

In case you don't know, there is a walk-in campground right there. You'd have to walk about 100 feet, find space in one of the bearboxes for your food, and throw down a tarp, pad, and bag. It costs $6.

Thanks for the prompt reply.
I am trying to avoid the hassle of putting up tent and disturbing people.

I'd also just throw down a tarp and bag, no tent.

You could probably sleep in the car but you'd want to put all your food/scented items in a bear box anyway.

Also, call the Inter-Agency Visitors Center in LP and get them to put your permit in the night drop box. That way you can pick it up the night you get up there.

The Cottonwood Pass Trailhead area is a little quieter and less traveled. You may want to park over there and sleep. I haven't been there at night, but I really don't think anyone would bother you there. There are also walk in camp sites over there if you were to decide to do the tarp and sleeping bag deal.

I was actually wondering about the same thing. Due to circumstances I am going up by myself on Monday with the rest of my group arriving on Tuesday. I had wanted to give myself the extra day at altitude to acclimatize for Whitney. As being an unaccompanied female, I was unsure how safe it was to sleep in a tent alone at either the Cottonwood Trailhead or the Horseshoe Meadows Trailhead and was thinking of sleeping in my car. Or am I just being paranoid? I would appreciate anyone's suggestions.

Heres the hot ticket and the people who visit here more than likley will not ruin it.
Instead of staying at the walk in area with the non stop late arrivals and the slamming of car doors and bear boxs all night.
Go just up the road to the equestrian camp area.
It is always nearly empty, and every time I camp there i have yet to have anyone arrive late with the horse.
Unless you have a visible cooler with thawed steaks inside you and your food will be fine.
I hiked for 5 hours in the surrounding area in July and saw not a single track

In that case I'd say go for it. Odds of a ranger waking you up after midnight are pretty slim. It's not as if you're really doing any harm camping that way anyhow. And if it were me I'd just keep the food in the car. As long you're there no bear is going to break in.

Picking up the permit in the night drop box before you head up the hill is a good idea too.