Planning your trip to Mt. Whitney
THE BEST WAY
Mt. Whitney is about 200 miles north of Los Angeles and 13 miles west of Lone Pine in California’s Eastern Sierra. From L.A., take Interstate 5 to California Highway 14 and drive north about 120 miles to U.S. 395 north. Continue north about 65 miles to Lone Pine. Turn left at Whitney Portal Road, and drive 13 miles west to the Whitney Portal trail head.
WHITNEY ZONE PERMITS
Wilderness permits are required year-round for entry into the Mt. Whitney Zone. Visitors applying for a day-use or overnight permit during the quota period, between May 1 and Nov. 1, must enter the Mt. Whitney Lottery. Lottery application forms must be postmarked by February and can be downloaded from the Inyo National Forest website or requested from the Wilderness Permit Reservation Office. Pick up permits at the Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center, one mile south of Lone Pine at the junction of U.S. 395 and California Highway 136.
TO LEARN MORE
Inyo National Forest, Mt. Whitney Ranger Station; (760) 876-6200, www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo
Wilderness Permit Reservation Office, (760) 873-2483.
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