Mount Whitney Backpacking Trips

Backpacking - Mt Whitney (14,495') Backpack - Itinerary

  • ABOUT THE TRIP:
    This 7-day trip begins at the remote access of Horseshoe Meadows trailhead along the famous Pacific Crest Trail.  This is a backpack trip into the far less frequently traveled back side of Mt. Whitney, which sits in Sequoia National Park. This trip is for people who want to climb Mt Whitney and are capable of hiking 10-11 miles on some days (note: light packs on summit day).

    ACCOMMODATIONS:
    1 night double occupancy in Lone Pine, Ca
    5 nights are spent in tents.  Tents space is budgeted at two people per tent.

    GROUP SIZE:
    3-13 participants with 1 mountain guide for each 6 people.

    GRADE:
    Difficult: On-trail backpacking on uneven terrain with steep grades. These trips are physically and mentally challenging and up to one week in duration. Because these types of trips have a required mileage to complete each day, the level of commitment is high. Trips in this category may spend significant time at higher elevations.

    EQUIPMENT:
    SYMG supplies all group gear (stoves, cookware, H2O filters, first aid, tents, etc.)  You’ll be responsible for your own sleeping bags, pads (we also have these to use at no extra charge if need be), and day backpacks.

    MEALS:
    Meals begin with breakfast on day 2 and are provided through lunch and trail snacks the last day. Expect simple but hearty backpacking meals.

    COST OF THE TRIP:
    4-13 people- $1195.00 per person
    3 people- $1395.00 per person

    YOUR COST INCLUDES:
    Meals provided, group gear, wilderness permit, guides.

    NOT INCLUDED:
    Personal gear, tips for guides (10-20% of trip fee), transportation, optional trip cancellation insurance.

    PREPARATION:
    We recommend increasing your exercise routine in the two months prior to the trip to increase your cardiovascular/aerobic ability.  Hiking, preferably with hills, on rough trails is excellent practice. Try training with at least a 10lb. backpack.

    Day 1:
    Today we’ll meet for a stay at the pleasant Best Western Inn Lone Pine, Ca, with views West of Mt Whitney. Meet your guide for an orientation at 6pm. Dinner on your own in town.

    Day 2:  
    Meet your guide for an included breakfast at 7am in the lobby. Here you can go over any last minute questions. Follow your guide to the trailhead a roughly 45 minute drive away. We start our hike up and over Cottonwood Pass to our first night’s camp at Chicken Spring Lake (11,242). 4.5 miles

    Day 3:
    Today we’ll hike along the famous Pacific Crest Trail through stately Foxtail pine forests to Rock Creek (9 miles).

    Day 4:
    Continuing on the Pacific Crest Trail, we’ll pass Guyot flat and lower Crabtree meadows before making our way up to Guitar Lake. At 11,500 ft., Guitar lake will serve as the basecamp for our attempt at Mt Whitney.

    Day 5:
    We will get an early start for an attempt of the summit of Mt. Whitney without packs. After lunch and a siesta at Guitar Lake, we shoulder our packs and hike to Crabtree Meadows in the afternoon (14.5 miles total).

    Day 6:
    Today we begin heading home, camping beneath “The Major General” at Rock Creek Lake (11 miles).

    Day 7:

    We’ll exit Sequoia NP back via Cottonwood Pass, which will get us back to the trailhead after by 2pm (10.5 miles).
  • Please call the SYMG office with any questions: (800) 231-4575

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