So lucky are we Californians to proclaim that we possess the highest mountain within the contiguous 48 states!
Mount Whitney is located in the Southern Sierras and easily accessible for commuters from Southern California. Sorry Bay Area folks, but we win easy access to this beast.
With 2 days off of work, I decided to drive up the 395 for a sneak peak of Mount Whitney. Obviously 2 days is not enough to acclimate and summit Whitney, however it provides a helpful insight on what to expect, which was my purpose of this quick trip.
Below is my 2 day itinerary, which is perfect for getting a taste of the quirky sites along the 395 between Lone Pine and Los Angeles...
Day #1
- Left Orange County around 6 am
- Arrived at the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center for campground and hiking trails information and Mt. Whitney Zone Permit.
- Set up camp at Lone Pine Campground.
- Drove to parking lot for Mt. Whitney Trailhead.
- Hiked to Lone Pine Lake
- Retreat back to Lone Pine Campground for the rest of the evening.
Day #2
- Drove to Alabama Hills and walked the Mobius Arch Loop
- Visited the Southern Inyo Museum
- Lunch at the Totem Cafe
- Window shopping along Main Street's outfitter store
- Olancha Sculpture Garden
- Browsing at Kramer Junction Antique
Costs:
Campsite at Lone Pine x 1 night: $20
Gas: $20
Food: $15
Topo maps and souvenirs: $44.40
Total: $99.40
Mount Whitney is located in the Southern Sierras and easily accessible for commuters from Southern California. Sorry Bay Area folks, but we win easy access to this beast.
With 2 days off of work, I decided to drive up the 395 for a sneak peak of Mount Whitney. Obviously 2 days is not enough to acclimate and summit Whitney, however it provides a helpful insight on what to expect, which was my purpose of this quick trip.
Below is my 2 day itinerary, which is perfect for getting a taste of the quirky sites along the 395 between Lone Pine and Los Angeles...
Day #1
- Left Orange County around 6 am
- Arrived at the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center for campground and hiking trails information and Mt. Whitney Zone Permit.
- Set up camp at Lone Pine Campground.
- Drove to parking lot for Mt. Whitney Trailhead.
- Hiked to Lone Pine Lake
- Retreat back to Lone Pine Campground for the rest of the evening.
Day #2
- Drove to Alabama Hills and walked the Mobius Arch Loop
- Visited the Southern Inyo Museum
- Lunch at the Totem Cafe
- Window shopping along Main Street's outfitter store
- Olancha Sculpture Garden
- Browsing at Kramer Junction Antique
Costs:
Campsite at Lone Pine x 1 night: $20
Gas: $20
Food: $15
Topo maps and souvenirs: $44.40
Total: $99.40
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| Campsite #19 at Lone Pine Campground |
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| View of Lone Pine Campground from Whitney Portal Trail |
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| View of Mt. Whitney from Whitney Portal Trail |
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| Early part of the Mt Whitney Trail before Lone Pine Lake |
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| Lone Pine Lake |
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| Be prepared with crampons in mid May! |
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| Mural in Lone Pine |
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| Quirky motel in Cartago |
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| Sculpture garden, Olancha |
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| Sculpture garden, Olancha |
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| Olancha |
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| Kramer Junction Antiques |
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| Museum at Kramer Junction |
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