Mount Whitney Trail

The path to the highest point in the Lower 48, the Mount Whitney Trail climbs to 14,505 feet from Whitney Portal in the eastern Sierra, a strenuous approach that thousands attempt each year.

The standard route covers about 22 miles round trip with roughly 6,100 feet of gain, including the famous 99 switchbacks and a cable-guarded section that can hold snow into summer. Many hike it in one enormous day; others camp at Trail Camp to acclimatize and split the effort.

Practical detail: a permit is required and issued through a competitive February lottery, one of the most sought-after in the country, covering both day and overnight use. Altitude sickness is the main hazard above 12,000 feet, and afternoon storms build quickly over the crest.

July through September is the standard snow-free season; earlier trips demand ice axe and crampons on the switchbacks. The summit hut, built in 1909, marks the top, which also serves as the southern terminus of the John Muir Trail and a fitting climax to the High Sierra.