Mount Whitney Loop

This classic Mount Whitney loop takes you up the rugged Mountaineer’s Route and down the more traveled Mount Whitney Trail, offering the best of both worlds: a technical scramble to the summit followed by a well-graded descent. Starting from Whitney Portal, you’ll climb to the highest peak in the contiguous United States at 14,505 ft, experiencing a mix of creek crossings, alpine meadows, exposed granite slopes, and world-class Sierra views.

IMPORTANT: This route is best for experienced climbers and strong hikers who are comfortable with steep, off-trail navigation, Class 3-4 scrambling, and the challenges of high elevation.

Start by following the Mount Whitney Trail from Whitney Portal, but look for a trail sign where you will turn off onto the North Fork Lone Pine Creek Trail instead of continuing along the Whitney Trail itself. The path climbs steeply, crossing the creek multiple times before reaching the Ebersbacher Ledges, a series of granite ledges that require careful footwork and light scrambling.

Continue past Lower and Upper Boy Scout Lakes, where alpine scenery opens up to reveal jagged peaks. From Iceberg Lake you can look up at the chute you will soon be climbing. It always looks steeper and scarier from below. Once you are in the chute you can make careful choices, testing the rocks for stability and setting small, manageable goals as you ascend. 

The terrain steepens as you enter the chute leading toward the Notch (where the Mountaineer’s Route tops out just below the summit plateau). 

From the Notch, the standard route continues straight up the 400-foot gully that leads to Whitney’s summit plateau. This final section is continuous Class 3–4 scrambling up the gully to reach the summit plateau, where you emerge near the Smithsonian Hut.

• Early season (May–June): The gully often holds snow and ice, making it a technical snow climb that requires ice axe and crampons.

• Late season (July–September): The chute is generally dry but may be loose, with unstable rocks and gravel, and the scrambling remains challenging.

**Alternate Route From the Notch: Instead of climbing directly up the chute, traverse right (east) from the Notch across steep slopes. This line gains the summit plateau on easier, more gradual terrain. It avoids the steepest section of the chute, though you’ll still encounter some exposed Class 3 scrambling. Many climbers choose this option if the chute looks icy or unstable.**

For the descent, head south and pick up the main Mount Whitney Trail, which winds its way down switchbacks past Trail Crest, Trail Camp, Outpost Camp, and Lone Pine Lake before returning to Whitney Portal. This portion is longer but more gradual, providing a gentler exit from the summit compared to the steep climb up.

• Although the main trail is more defined and less dangerous than the mountaineers route, do not underestimate your exhaustion on the descent. Take it slow, listen to your body and take breaks you need to. 

Highlights

• Mountaineer’s Route: A challenging and less crowded way to climb Whitney with dramatic alpine scenery.

• Iceberg Lake: Stark, glacially carved cirque framed by Whitney’s granite walls.

• Summit of Mount Whitney: Panoramic views across the Sierra Nevada, Owens Valley, and even Death Valley on a clear day.

• Whitney Main Trail: Gentle descent through alpine lakes, meadows, and famous 99 switchbacks.

Flora & Fauna

At lower elevations, you’ll pass Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, and quaking aspen before transitioning to whitebark pine and alpine tundra near treeline. Wildlife includes marmots, pikas, mountain bluebirds, and bighorn sheep. In summer, alpine wildflowers like lupine, paintbrush, and sky pilot brighten the meadows.

Safety & Considerations

• Difficulty: Strenuous and technical. The Mountaineer’s Route requires Class 3 scrambling, route-finding, and comfort with exposure.

• Permits: Both routes require a Whitney Zone permit for day or overnight use, available through www.recreation.gov

• Water: Streams and lakes are available en route; filter all water.

• Altitude: The rapid elevation gain can bring on altitude sickness. Acclimatize beforehand.

• Timing: Ice and snow can linger well into summer; early-season climbs often require an ice axe and crampons.

• Navigation: The Mountaineer’s Route is not signed or maintained, map, GPS, and solid navigation skills are essential.

Who It’s For

This loop is ideal for experienced mountaineers, scramblers, and advanced backpackers who want to combine Whitney’s two most iconic routes. It offers solitude and challenge on the way up, followed by a steady, scenic descent. If you want a more adventurous alternative to the heavily trafficked Main Trail, this route is one of the most rewarding ways to summit Mount Whitney.