Whitney Portal to Lone Pine Lake

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Fishing · Geological Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

The trail is easy to navigate and relatively low angle, making the trek back seem forever. But going up is smooth!

This trail is the same trail to summit Mt. Whitney but it ends at Lone Pine Lake. Because it ends there, you don't need a permit because you don't enter the wilderness part.

Start at the portal and go up the Whitney Trail. You enjoy the views of the canyon and the city in the distant. You'll get to a small creek crossing that is fun. After this, you're on the switchbacks.

The switchbacks are not hard. But there is a lot of them. So you'll see the same views and just gets tedious but don't worry, you are making progress. Slowly, you get out of the switchbacks.

As soon as you finish the switchbacks, you see an amazing cascading waterfall! These treat usually occurs in spring/summer/fall season. The trail becomes more flat but the views are great. You'll make quick strides until you get a log crossing that is well maintained that goes over a creek. This part is really fun. You'll eventually get close to the cliff side and you'll see a sign for Lone Pine Lake to your left.

Follow this short trail and you'll arrive at your destination. It's such a beautiful lake. Take a dip to cool off and run back. (During Winter, its possible that this lake is completely frozen!) The run back down isn't too hard. Those switchbacks will end soon enough.