Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Alternate fourteener

Does anyone have any suggestions for an alternate hike (preferably up a fourteener in the Sierras) if I can't obtain an 8-5-06 permit for Whitney?

Langley.

Then there's White Mountain Peak east of Big Pine. It's a long drive to the trailhead, but the easiest of the 14ers.

Langley and White Mountain would be the best choices, except White Mountain (14,246 feet) is not in the Sierra's. It is north-east of Big Pine (about a 1 1/2 hour drive from Big Pine). You'll pass the Ancient Bristlecone Pines Forest to get to the traihead at 11,600 feet. This hike is 15 miles roundtrip, is completely above the timberline, and there is no water along the way so you will have to carry all your water for the day. I have done this one twice as a final warm-up for Whitney.

Michael T.

split mountain would be another good choice - the view is great - with an early start is doable as a day hike - the route is mild class 3 at spots so nothing scary

If you want a comparably easy hike as opposed to more off-trail climb type thing, then Langley is how to go. The trail in is easy and beautiful, the hike is technically easy and there are fine views. The Cottonwood Lakes basin is very scenic.

Adrian

Larry,

Just to add to what has already been said:

White Mountain - I was there last weekend and was very impressed with the scenery. This mountain is in the White Mountains, which are to the east of the Sierra. 7 miles each way (14 miles round trip). The trailhead start at over 12,000 feet, so the elevation gain is just over 2,000 feet. If you are up to it, you can bike to the top, then ride down.

I haven't done Langley, but am looking forward to it in a couple weeks. 21 miles round trip, with about 4,000 feet elevation gain (as opposed to Whitney's 6,000+). From what I've read, mostly Class 1 (all trail).

HOpe that helps,

Gusto

Why not just day hike the mountaineers route??? It's more interesting and the permits are not limited, right?

White and Langley are both beautiful. White has the Bristlecone Forest while Langley has three potential routes, New Army Pass, Old Army Pass and the chute behind the lake...

The Mountaineers Route is a whole other deal. I do it all the time but for a person without climbing experience it can be quite dangerous due to route finding issues above Iceberg and potential rockfall due to other climbers.

I've got an extra Mt. W trail permit for 8-7 if you can wait