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Mount Whitney — Main Trail

Whitney Portal, CA · 36.579, -118.292

Highest peak in the contiguous US. 22 miles round trip with 6,100 ft gain. 97 switchbacks. Altitude sickness common above 12,000 ft. Permit required.

StrenuousWest14,505 ftSummitAlpineSummit views

Mount Whitney — Main Trail

☀️ Clear sky

Reconsider
26°
Feels 12°FSummit · 14,505 ft
5:35 AM8:07 PM
EXTREME COLDUV HIGH

Wind

19mph

Precip

0%

Humid

22%

Elev Δ

+6100ft

12-Hour Temp Trend

27°36°

Hourly Forecast

3 PM

☀️

36°

2mph

4 PM

☀️

36°

5mph

5 PM

☀️

35°

7mph

6 PM

☀️

33°

5mph

7 PM

☀️

32°

5mph

8 PM

☀️

33°

2mph

9 PM

☀️

31°

4mph

10 PM

☀️

30°

5mph

11 PM

☀️

29°

6mph

12 AM

☀️

29°

7mph

1 AM

☀️

28°

7mph

2 AM

☀️

27°

7mph

Summit Conditions

59°F33°26°F

Dry lapse rate: 5.4°F/1,000ft · 6,145 ft gain

L1
Heavyweight merino wool base

250g+ merino top and bottom — your foundation against the cold

L2
Insulated grid fleece

Heavy fleece or light synthetic puffy for active insulation

L3
Down or synthetic puffy jacketPACK

Pack this — put it on at summit stops and exposed ridgelines

L4
Waterproof hardshell jacketPACK

3L waterproof/windproof for summit protection against wind and snow

Summit Pack List

Insulated puffyHardshell jacketInsulated glovesWarm beanieNeck gaiter / balaclavaHand warmers

Start Cold Tip

Start in your base + fleece. You'll warm up on the switchbacks. Pack your puffy for the summit — standing still in wind at 20°F drops your core temp fast.

Trail Guide

Updated 2:19:53 PM · America/Los_Angeles

Updated Jun 4, 2:19 PM UTC

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