.jpg%3F1629065495&w=3840&q=75)
Mount Whitney
No visit to California would be complete without summiting to the top of the highest mountain in the contiguous United States.
Guide Sections
Use Mount Whitney's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Mount Whitney Details
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
N/A
No visit to California would be complete without summiting to the top of the highest mountain in the contiguous United States. There are several ways to climb the peak, but the Mount Whitney Portal Trail is by far the most popular route. Although you will not have to climb the entire 14,494-foot mountain, the 11-mile trail does have an elevation gain of approximately 6,000-feet. If you are planning to do the entire trek in one day, you will need to start as early as possible as it takes roughly 12 to 14 hours to complete. It is a challenging hike, but one that is guaranteed to be an impressive accomplishment you will not soon forget.