Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Summit Options

Hey guys
My friends and I are putting on Monday for a multi day trip to summit Whitney.

We heard (we are from Idaho and Texas and very new to Whitney) that there are some options to get to the summit that involve the John Muir Trail....i.e. longer approaches from the west side of the mountain. I am trying to find more info on some of the other trails in the park that connect with John Muir trail and can get you to the summit.
We also heard that if you approach from this side, that you do not need a Whitney permit, just a Park permit.

Do you guys have any leads on these topics??
Any info would be very helpful!!!
Thanks!!

Well, I just came across a few options:

Onion Valley to Whitney (35.7 miles (plus 11 more down to Poratl Store)= 47.5 miles)

Horseshoe Meadow to Mt Whitney (30.7 miles (plus 11 more down to Portal Store)= 40.7)

For an average hiker (not too slow, not too fast), how long (days) would you guys set aside for these different trips??

There are lots of options and variations on this topic. In a nutshell you can divide it into 3 general directions. Come from either the south, west, or north.

From the south you can enter through Horseshoe Meadows, go over New or Old Army Pass, and descend down to the John Muir Trail. Head north and make your way to Guitar Lake and follow the trail up to the summit of Whitney.

From the north you can enter via Onion Valley like you suggest or one of another points along the Sierra. You'll hit the JMT and head south. Turn up towards Guitar Lake and follow the trail to the summit.

From the west you can do the High Sierra Trail.

People normally plan 5-7 days for these routes. People can it in less if they're interested in covering lots of ground. Others take longer so they have more time to enjoy the scenery.

Hi Both trips are great, will get you to the summit and out in 4-5 easy days. The Horseshoe Meadow trip can add fishing another 14,000' peak and the trip starts at 10,000' , first pass is very easy and then downhill , flat for the next part of the trip 3-4 day climb the west side , summit and the down to the Portal .


Both trails have transporation problems , two cars or hire a service to return you to the starting location.Many just hitch hike back, this seems to work July -August . People are doing the same trip and are dropping cars at the Portal and starting the hikes.

Permit questions? you should contact the National Park Service .Each of the trails start in the Inyo National Forest and exit the Whitney zone. Idaho and Texas be ready for some rules! Thanks Doug

I would also like to explore alternate routes. This year will be my second trip. Last year we spent some time, a couple days before, at Cottonwood lakes fishing before returning to our camp at the Portal and doing the summit via the main Whitney trail.

This year I want to begin at Horseshoe Meadows (I think that was where we parked?) and hike and fish our way to the summit. How many days do you suppose we should budget for that trip?

On a side note, I was surprised to see so many Trout in the creeks on the way down from the summit, and this year I plan to be equipped to roust them from their slumber while on the descent.