Mount Whitney Trail
~2 days · 11.4 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Mount Whitney Trail is known for
Out-and-back on the Mount Whitney Trail from Whitney Portal to the 14,505-ft summit of the highest peak in the contiguous US — 10.7 miles one-way (this file stores the one-way line; the switchbacked tread is longer than the mapped geometry suggests). Overnighters typically camp at Trail Camp before the summit push. Permits are issued by lottery.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 27,339 ft to 46,867 ft over 11.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 10.0 mi · 90%
- Downhill 1.1 mi · 10%
- Flat 0.0 mi · 0%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Mount Whitney Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Mount Whitney Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 11.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How high does the Mount Whitney Trail go?
The Mount Whitney Trail tops out near 14,478 ft over its 11.4 miles.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.