Mount Whitney Hike

At 14,505 feet, Mount Whitney is the highest point in California. The mapped route covers 22.0 miles round trip (out-and-back) with about 6,145 feet of elevation gain — gentle grades, but the mileage is what makes it a Strenuous outing.

The Route

Most of the climbing comes early — the first half of the route does the bulk of the work before the grade eases. The steepest stretch arrives around mile 0, gaining roughly 3,000 feet per mile — expect a slow, deliberate pace through here. From the trailhead at about 8,300 feet, the route tops out near 14,700 feet. You'll cross above treeline on the way up, so the upper route is exposed to weather — check the forecast and turn around if conditions build. Along the way the route passes a rest area (Whitney Portal Picnic Area) near mile 0.15 — useful checkpoints for judging your pace.

Getting There

The trailhead is at 36.58688, -118.24014 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 175 miles west of Las Vegas, Nevada. Parking: Whitney Portal. Fee: $15 day use, included with overnight permit. Cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.

When to Go

The reliable snow-free window is roughly July through September. At this elevation, afternoon thunderstorms are a serious summer hazard — start early and plan to be off the upper mountain by midday. Outside that window expect snow travel and bring traction and navigation skills to match.

Know Before You Go

The Strenuous rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 14 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — a saved route works offline in any GPS app, and cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from Inyo National Forest / US Forest Service.