Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Water on the Mt Whitney Trail

First timer with permit to climb on 8/16 and 8/17. Other websites indicate ample water pretty much along the trail. Is this accurate, and where is last dependable water? I have a filter/pump and would prefer to replenish as I go. Thanks. Informative and enjoyable postings here.

Click on the topic "Orientation Notes For Whitney First Timers" then the right hand column there is a section on water and some very detailed info in there.

Thanks. I had seen those earlier. Very helpful. I was simply looking for a "real time" update on current water availability on the trail.

I was on the trail on August 3rd. Water is plentiful at Outpost Camp, Trailside Meadows, and the spring that runs along the trail from switchbacks 10-23 above Trail Camp. Of course, Trail Camp and Mirror Lake are also available as spots to filter. My usual spot is Trail Camp both on the way up to the summit, and also on the way back down.

Michael T.

Thanks Michael. Exactly what I was looking for.

John T

I was up at Whitney around July 10th and found water at several places between trail camp and trail crest and even found a small trickling source just below the summit. Below trail camp water is plentiful.

Thanks all. Another quick query. Mindful our metabolisms are all different, how many liters of water did you consume between Trail Camp and summit?

This question could have been answered by reading your maps. The maps are very accurate and show where the trail crosses water or abuts it.

I always refer to my maps when going into an area I am unfamiliar with so that there will be few surprises when it comes to where the water supplies will be.

You should never need to carry more than 3 liters of water for any stretch of trail on Whitney.