Highest Man in the Lowest 48

In the Sierras, jagged granite peaks piercing the horizon seem to be ubiquitous. However, in paper and in person, one specific ridge-line rises above the rest. At 14,497 ft, Mt. Whitney, on the western border of Sequoia NP and Inyo National Forest, is the highest point in the lower 48 states (and Hawaii, 16 mountains in Alaska are higher than Mt. Whitney). The mountain was tempting me all summer to attempt the hike, so when I was able to snag a scarce permit, my roommate and I took off on our quest.

Although just due east of Hanford, CA, access to the Mt. Whitney Portal involves a trek around the southern loop of the Sierras and back up the eastern Sierras. From Lone Pine, CA, The peak sits centered between two ridges with a lush valley filling the canyon. The entire landscape had a majestic feel, with the smaller jagged peaks on either side giving Mt. Whitney the appearance of a crown.


After a night spent at the portal, we picked up our permits and were off to hike the 6 miles from the Whitney Portal to Trail Camp. This took us from 8,500 ft to 12,300 ft and passed through several forests, valleys and lakes. This picture is one of the valleys midway to the Trail Camp.


Reaching Trail Camp, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing, acclimatizing to the high altitudes and drinking water from the rather algae-ridden pool.


At base camp, with Mt. Whitney looming in the background. Only four and a half miles and 2,200 ft elevation to go.


Summit day: 4:10 a.m. "alpine" start, temperatures in the low to mid 30's. Our goal was to summit early to have the peak to ourselves and then leave well-before the unpredictable afternoon weather rolls in.

When you are at this altitude, the night-sky is blurred with countless stars and cosmic smears, the day-sky is a deeper shade of blue, and the sunrise is spectacular.



The first portion of the way up from Trail Camp is the infamous "96 switchbacks" that take you up to the Trail Crest at 13,600 ft. Pictured below is a view of several of the switchbacks and Trail Camp (next to the green-algae pool). I realized how nice knocking these out in the cool of the night and morning was after watching others trudge along with the sun beating down on them.


After finishing the switchbacks, we breakfasted at Trail Crest and began our traverse northward to Mt. Whitney. The western view over the ridge into Sequoia National Park


Rounding a bend, the end was in sight. Notice the old meteorological shelter at the very peak.


Tallest man in the lower 48:


We had a beautiful day to summit with the wind coming in short mild bursts and a clear sky. Another summit view, looking south-west



Another summit view, looking north-east:


Eastern view over the edge towards the valley below:



View to the north:


View to the south:


View to the east:

View to the west:


Overall, completing this hike gave me a wonderful sense of accomplishment. There is nothing like overcoming the demands of high-altitude hiking and reaching the top... plus the views are incredible and the terrain like nothing else on Earth. It is going to be hard to top this experience this summer, although I have a few more weeks to try.