Drove into the Whitney Portal (8,360ft.) parking lot about 11:30pm 7/15/2009. We came across a couple of guys who had just come off the trail and were waiting for a ride. Found a parking spot and threw down our bags in the hiker 1 night camp, set the alarm for 5:00am, and lights out for the night. Ended up with my alarm going off at 3:00am because my phone decided to switch time zones on its own to Indiana time for whatever reason. Saw a couple other guys getting ready to head out, reset my alarm and went back to sleep. Awoke at 5:00am 7/16/2009 walked back to the car, cooked up some oatmeal, packed our gear and hit the trail at 6:30am. Now at this point we had intended on being on the mountain until at least Friday the 17th and possibly even till Sunday the 19th so we had full packs with four days food complete with 2.6lbs. bear canister, a tent, sleeping bags, and camp kitchen. We weighed our packs at the trailhead scale and were both right at 25-26lbs. We started up the trail which was very well maintained on a series of long switchbacks quickly gaining elevation above Whitney Portal. As we watched the parking lot slowly disappear we couldn’t help but notice the amazing vistas out over the Lone Pine valley and the spectacular granite cliffs towering into the sky on all sides of us. We quickly traveled out of the switchbacks coming to Lone Pine Lake (10,120ft.) and passing up the steps into granite wonderland. Reaching Outpost Camp (10,360ft.) there were several sets of hikers outside their tents preparing for the day. We quickly passed through Outpost Camp and up the granite steps to Trail Camp all the while looking back taking great notice to the views and vistas that this trail awards. The meadow was spectacular with its granite backdrops and streams crisscrossing its floor. Passing beautiful Mirror Lake (10,673ft.) we headed up towards Trail Camp. Passing Consultation Lake (11,590ft.) on our way we reached Trail Camp (12,040ft.) and were immediately greeted with a warm welcome from the local marmots who gathered around us welcoming us into their home. Now at Trail Camp we removed our packs and began to prepare camp and for the day. We filled bladders and platypus’ from Trail Camp Pond; Brrrrrrrrrrrrr, my hands froze instantly as I submerged them in the water, pitched the tent, and cooked some lunch as we watched day hikers move into and through Trail Camp. As the other patrons of the mountain passed by we discussed and pondered this “late” start as they were just at the halfway up point and still had 16miles to complete their trek. At this point after being at Trail Camp for a good 45min. we decided to ask someone for the time and immediately laughed out loud we his response was 9:24am. We then knew that there was no way we were going to sit here and twiddle our thumbs for the next 12-13 hours waiting for bedtime. Throwing all of our unnecessary gear in the tent after wasting an hour at Trail Camp we headed out the West end with only our packs, water, and some snacks taking our first steps up the 99 granite switchbacks to the summit. Coming to the cable section of the switchbacks there was a small amount of snow on the inside of the trail that was easily passable on the outside edge. There were great photo ops of the valley, and small lakes and ponds below as we made our way up the switchbacks towards Trail Crest and the Summit. We got to Trail Crest (13,600ft.) where there were quite a few people stopped to take pictures with the sign and just look out on the vistas with awe, as at this point you were on a crest with magnificent 360 degree views. Leaving Trail Crest we headed North towards the summit. At this point can really start to feel the elevation and our pace certainly slowed. Approaching the backside of the summit we encountered a small snowfield about 50m long that was easily passable just walking through it. Coming out of the snowfield we soon turned East with the final stretch to the summit with the cabins roof quickly coming into view and then the cabin itself. We had made it. At approximately 1:20pm, there we were; the Mt. Whitney Summit sitting majestically at 14,497ft. above sea level; the highest point in the continental United States. Heading out to the East edge of the summit we gazed out over the valley, granite monoliths, lakes, ponds, streams, and snowfields. Standing atop to continental U.S. and looking down into Death Valley, the lowest point in continental U.S. I must say it was quite an experience. Wandering around for while taking it all in, we took photos, grabbed a snack, signed the guest log that is encased at the West side of the cabin, and just took a moment to relax. After about 45 minutes, as we stood atop the summit some dark clouds began to roll in above us, the wind kicked up a bit, and the temperature dropped slightly. It was at this time we decided it was probably time to be heading back down off the mountain. We made it back to Trail Camp where our tent was pitched and ready for the night at around 4:30. The dark clouds were still above us and Trail Camp was now bustling with activity as hikers were setting up for the night preparing for a Friday summit. We decided, seeing as it was only 4:30pm we would go ahead and pack up and head back to Whitney Portal. Tearing down the tent and repacking our packs we prepared to head out as we began to feel some raindrops. Ripping back into our packs and pulling out our rain jackets we headed down the trail saying goodbye to the summit and our hospitable marmot hosts. Rapidly descending down the trail passing by once again Consultation Lake, Mirror Lake, Outpost Camp, Lone Pine Lake, we reflected on our day and discussed what great trek and experience this had been. Returning to Whitney Portal at 6:40pm we headed to the car dropped our packs, I threw on some shorts and flip flops; and by 7:00pm we were sitting on the patio of the Whitney Portal Store dining on a cheeseburger and fries complimented by a Blackout Stout courtesy of the Indian Wells Brewing Co. This brought to an end the closure of a perfect day.
