Hiking Mt. Whitney 2024

Sep 11, 2024 Onion Valley Camp Ground (9600 ft) - Day 01

Today marks the beginning of our adventure. Onion Valley, situated approximately 15 miles west of downtown Independence, stands at an impressive elevation of about 9,600 feet. The access road to this scenic location is typically open from May to November, contingent on snow conditions.

We arrived at the Onion Valley campground in the afternoon, following a six-hour drive northeast from San Diego. The journey was long but filled with anticipation. This campground lies to the west of Death Valley National Park, which, at 282 feet below sea level, holds the record for the lowest point in North America.

The final stretch of our drive was particularly memorable. The road wound its way through the hills, offering breathtaking views as it ascended from Pine Valley. The curves were sharp and the climb steep, adding a sense of adventure to our arrival.

Deer's welcoming us in camp ground

Upon arriving at the campground, we were thrilled to reunite with friends from New Jersey and Texas who had already set up camp. One of the most emotional moments was meeting a high school friend after 28 years, a reunion filled with excitement and nostalgia.

To our surprise, the campground featured well-maintained restrooms nestled in the woods, a pleasant convenience in such a remote location. The area was bustling with enthusiastic hikers, all eager to embark on their adventures. Securing a permit for this trip had been quite challenging, making our arrival even more rewarding.

The first day greeted us with strong winds, causing some concern that our tent might not withstand the night. For dinner, we prepared pasta, a simple yet satisfying meal to keep us going. Despite a restless night with little sleep, I woke up the next day feeling surprisingly energized and ready for the adventures ahead.

Sep 12, 2024 Onion Valley Camp Ground - Day 02

Despite not sleeping well, I woke up early and had breakfast. The bread and scrambled eggs were ready, but I didn’t eat the bread. We then began our hike towards Kearsarge Pass.

Hikers Enjoying The Beauty of Nature

We began our hike early in the morning at 7:44 AM PST, starting at an elevation of 9,191 feet. The cool morning air and the promise of adventure invigorated us as we set off on the trail. The initial part of the hike was a steady climb, allowing us to gradually acclimate to the increasing altitude.

Along the way, we encountered many pristine lakes, each more beautiful than the last. However, I did get a bit frustrated with the Sawyer Mini Water Filter. Its small size made it quite challenging to use, requiring a significant amount of energy to squeeze water through it.

The trail was lined with pine trees, which got me thinking about how these resilient trees dominate landscapes across the globe. From the foothill of majestic Himalayas, along the way to Everest Base Camp in Nepal to the vast forests of the United States and other continents, pines seem to thrive everywhere.

Happy Day - Blue Sky and Mountains in the trail in Onion Valley

Hiking Path and Terrain

After a long and rewarding hike, we finally made it back to the campground. We bought some firewood and I treated myself to a much-needed hot shower. Now, it’s time to relax by the fire and enjoy some delicious food!

Hike Summary

Start of Kearsarge Pass Hiking

Thursday, September 12, 2024, 7:44 AM PDT

Elevation: 9191 feet

End of Kearsarge Pass Hiking

Thursday, September 12, 2024, 2:18 PM PDT

Elevation: 9191 feet

Statistics 

Thursday, September 12, 2024, 7:44 AM PDT
Distance: 10.0 miles

Duration: 6 hours, 33 minutes, and 57 seconds
Average Speed: 1.5 mph
Minimum Elevation: 9189 feet
Maximum Elevation: 11849 feet
Total climb: 2695 feet
Total descent: 2693 feet

Sep 13, 2024 Friday Mt Whitney Portal - Day 03

The next day, we headed to the Lone Pine Campground, where we would begin our hike up Mt. Whitney. On our way, we stopped at a local restaurant on the main street of Lone Pine. I had a tuna sandwich and clam chowder, and both were really good.

It took us about 30 minutes to reach the Mt. Whitney Portal, which sits at an elevation of approximately 8,300 feet above sea level and serves as the trailhead for the Mount Whitney trail.

Upon arrival, we realized we had forgotten to print our permit. Although no one checked permits along the way, we decided to head back to the Chamber of Commerce in Lone Pine to print it. While there, I picked up a t-shirt, a cup, and a 3D map as souvenirs.

Later, as we were setting up our tent and preparing for the campfire, we met a guy named Troy. He shared that he had climbed Mt. Whitney 17 times and offered some valuable tips for first-timers like us. Interestingly, he used to live in Mira Mesa, San Diego. His stories were truly inspirational, and the weather was exceptional on that beautiful September day.

September 14-15 - 1:00 AM Mt. Whitney Portal - Day 04

We began our hike with a mix of excitement and a bit of uncertainty, our headlamps lighting the way. Bear signs were everywhere, and bear canisters were provided at both campsites to store our food safely. I packed about 3 liters of water in my backpack, and the first few hours of hiking in the dark were amazing as we started our ascent.

The weather was perfect, not too cold, which added to our enthusiasm. Although I didn’t sleep well the night before, waking up at 1:00 AM due to my overactive mind, I felt somewhat rested thanks to a good night’s sleep after our long hike at Onion Valley the previous day.

As we made our way up the trail, we encountered many fellow hikers. It was clear that many people were ahead of us, their headlamps dotting the mountainside like stars. The sight of all those lights moving up the mountain was both inspiring and reassuring.

As we climbed higher, the sun began to rise, casting a beautiful glow over the landscape. The mountains looked pristine and majestic in the early morning light, making all the effort worthwhile. It was a day filled with excitement and awe as we continued our journey up Mt. Whitney.

Sun Rising - Beautiful morning as we continue to climb...

On the hiking trails, we could sense the excitement and joy of people from all over the states and countries. As we climbed higher, the terrain changed dramatically. The lush pine forests gave way to vast expanses of rocky terrain, dotted with beautiful blue lakes. Some of these lakes were icy, while others were clear and inviting.

We also passed through Sequoia National Park, adding another layer of natural beauty to our journey. The diversity of the landscape was truly breathtaking, making each step of the hike an adventure in itself.

Heading nearer to the Mt. Whitney Peak

Finally, we reached the summit of Mt. Whitney! Some hikers were behind us, and a few were ahead, but standing at the top was a beautiful moment of excitement and joy. We did it!

The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming, and the views from the highest peak in the contiguous United States were absolutely breathtaking. It was a moment to savor and remember forever.

Top of Mt. Whitney 14526 feet

US coast and Geodetic Survey Benchmark 1925 - Mt. Whitney

Hike of Mt. Whitney Summary

Start of Mt. Whitney Hiking

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 1:37 AM PDT

Elevation: 8371 feet

End of Mt. Whitney Hiking

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 6:51 PM PDT

Elevation: 8351 feet

Statistics

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 1:37 AM PDT

Distance: 22.4 miles

Duration: 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 25 seconds

Average Speed: 1.3 mph

Minimum Elevation: 8356 feet

Maximum Elevation: 14526 feet

Total climb: 6709 feet

After 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 25 seconds, we finally made it back. That night, we had a well-deserved rest, camping at the campground. The next day, we headed back to San Diego, CA, feeling accomplished after conquering the highest peak in the continental US.

What’s next? Hiking the highest peak in Africa, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, soon!