Mt Whitney Trail Crest is arguably the most spectacular vantage point of the entire Mt Whitney Trail. It is
the perfect place to take that well deserved break after having negotiating all those switchbacks that
lie between Trail Camp and Trail Crest. The only
obstacle between the above two points is the cables
section shown to the left during early season. Snow
and ice have a way of collecting in this area and
care needs to be taken so as not to slip. The cables
provide a good handrail of sorts but during the
spring months crampons and ice ax may be
needed. The trail now crosses the summit ridge and
enters into Sequoia National Park. Once you have
gained the crest you will have completed 8.2
miles from the trailhead and will be standing at
13,700 feet above sea level. Once there it will
seem like you are standing on top of the world.
The Great Western Divide, which is due west from
the crest, is just part of the scenery along the final
2.8 miles of the trail. The Sierra Nevada Mountains
above 13,000 become a land of rock and ice.
Fantastic columns of sheer granite make for incredible
sights as you continue toward the summit of Mt
Whitney. Some people worry about falling on the
backside of Whitney, but even though the views can
be very airy the trail is plenty wide and you would
have to wander off the beaten path in order to put
yourself in any danger. The below photo shows a
party of hikers who have wandered off the trail in
order to get a spectacular photo. If you or your
party should decide to do this, then care must
be taken in order to be safe. The hiker at the
end of the column is hanging his legs off the side of
a sheer granite wall that falls away a couple of
thousand feet into Sequoia National Park.
Below is a reflection of Hitchcock Mountain in
Hitchcock Lake.
Probably the most famous lake view from
Trail Crest is Guitar Lake. As you can
see to the right, the lake is well named. Guitar Lake
resides in Sequoia National Park at 11,600 feet
(2,100 feet below Trail Crest).
The Great Western Divide keeps the Trail Crest
visitor from viewing the portion of Sequoia National
Park that contains the Giant Trees that people from
all over the world come to see. I have been on the western
side of Sequoia many times, and now and then I have folks
ask me if Mt Whitney can be seen from there. Certainly one
of the most beautiful panoramic views anywhere, is of the
Great Western Divide near Tawny Point. But it is this divide
that blocks the visitor on the west side of the National Park
from seeing Mt. Whitney.
If you have the time and skills there are several interesting
side trips that you can do which are located near Trail Crest.
The Trail Guide section of this site on Mt Whitney describes
probably the most interesting side trip, and that is the climb up
Mt Muir. It is only a few hundred vertical feet off and above
the main trail, and the side trip is an excellent way of bagging
another California 14er if you are interested.
There is also some interesting bouldering in the area. The photo
to the right shows a couple of scramblers having some fun
on one of the rock outcroppings near the main trail. But as
mentioned above, if you do wander off the trail there is risk
involved. So if you have any doubt about the safety of any
extra curricular activity, it would be best to skip it.
The path will now continue north along the western slope of Mt Whitney and it won't be long before you will
be standing on the summit of Mt Whitney!
the perfect place to take that well deserved break after having negotiating all those switchbacks that
lie between Trail Camp and Trail Crest. The only
obstacle between the above two points is the cables
section shown to the left during early season. Snow
and ice have a way of collecting in this area and
care needs to be taken so as not to slip. The cables
provide a good handrail of sorts but during the
spring months crampons and ice ax may be
needed. The trail now crosses the summit ridge and
enters into Sequoia National Park. Once you have
gained the crest you will have completed 8.2
miles from the trailhead and will be standing at
13,700 feet above sea level. Once there it will
seem like you are standing on top of the world.
The Great Western Divide, which is due west from
the crest, is just part of the scenery along the final
2.8 miles of the trail. The Sierra Nevada Mountains
above 13,000 become a land of rock and ice.
Fantastic columns of sheer granite make for incredible
sights as you continue toward the summit of Mt
Whitney. Some people worry about falling on the
backside of Whitney, but even though the views can
be very airy the trail is plenty wide and you would
have to wander off the beaten path in order to put
yourself in any danger. The below photo shows a
party of hikers who have wandered off the trail in
order to get a spectacular photo. If you or your
party should decide to do this, then care must
be taken in order to be safe. The hiker at the
end of the column is hanging his legs off the side of
a sheer granite wall that falls away a couple of
thousand feet into Sequoia National Park.
Below is a reflection of Hitchcock Mountain in
Hitchcock Lake.
Probably the most famous lake view from
Trail Crest is Guitar Lake. As you can
see to the right, the lake is well named. Guitar Lake
resides in Sequoia National Park at 11,600 feet
(2,100 feet below Trail Crest).
The Great Western Divide keeps the Trail Crest
visitor from viewing the portion of Sequoia National
Park that contains the Giant Trees that people from
all over the world come to see. I have been on the western
side of Sequoia many times, and now and then I have folks
ask me if Mt Whitney can be seen from there. Certainly one
of the most beautiful panoramic views anywhere, is of the
Great Western Divide near Tawny Point. But it is this divide
that blocks the visitor on the west side of the National Park
from seeing Mt. Whitney.
If you have the time and skills there are several interesting
side trips that you can do which are located near Trail Crest.
The Trail Guide section of this site on Mt Whitney describes
probably the most interesting side trip, and that is the climb up
Mt Muir. It is only a few hundred vertical feet off and above
the main trail, and the side trip is an excellent way of bagging
another California 14er if you are interested.
There is also some interesting bouldering in the area. The photo
to the right shows a couple of scramblers having some fun
on one of the rock outcroppings near the main trail. But as
mentioned above, if you do wander off the trail there is risk
involved. So if you have any doubt about the safety of any
extra curricular activity, it would be best to skip it.
The path will now continue north along the western slope of Mt Whitney and it won't be long before you will
be standing on the summit of Mt Whitney!
Mt Whitney - Trail Crest timberlinetrails.net
Whitney Links
Base Camp
Getting Started
Trailhead
Trail Guide
High Camp
Trail Crest
East Face Route
Summit
Aerial View
Whitney Video
For Additional peaks and
information on the Sierra
Nevada. Click Here.
Or for a Photo Gallery
featuring the Sierra range.
Click Here.
Base Camp
Getting Started
Trailhead
Trail Guide
High Camp
Trail Crest
East Face Route
Summit
Aerial View
Whitney Video
For Additional peaks and
information on the Sierra
Nevada. Click Here.
Or for a Photo Gallery
featuring the Sierra range.
Click Here.
Click Here to Watch our Mt Whitney Video
For More Photos &Further Information On Mt Whitney Please Check Out The Below Links
Base Camp Getting Started Trailhead Trail Guide
High Camp East Face Route Summit Aerial View
For Additional peaks and information on the Sierra Nevada. Click HERE.
For a Photo Gallery featuring the Sierra range. Click HERE.
Or if you are looking for answers to the deeper things in life, try the Ultimate Journey
Base Camp Getting Started Trailhead Trail Guide
High Camp East Face Route Summit Aerial View
For Additional peaks and information on the Sierra Nevada. Click HERE.
For a Photo Gallery featuring the Sierra range. Click HERE.
Or if you are looking for answers to the deeper things in life, try the Ultimate Journey
