Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the continental U.S. and a prime destination for both hikers and climbers. Mt. Whitney is located in California, against the border of the Sequoia National Park and about four hours north of Los Angeles. The most common trail, the day trail, is a 22-mile round trip, so hikers should come prepared to start very early in the morning in order to make the trip on a single day.
Step 1
Choose a trail. Mt. Whitney has a number of trail options, varying in length, difficulty and available views. If you only have one day and can push yourself hard, you can try the Mount Whitney Trail, which can be completed in a single day. All other routes will require at least one overnight stay.
Step 2
Get a permit in advance. Hikers are not admitted into the area without a permit. If you plan on hiking Mt. Whitney between May 1st and November 1st, there's also a quota. If you want to secure a permit for those dates, you'll need to apply anytime after February. Weekend quotas are filled quickly, according to Summit Post, so get a reservation in place in early February if you want to do a weekend hike. Otherwise, get a mid-week permit, which is easier to obtain.
Step 3
Plan your hike between late May and October if you're a beginner or mid-level hiker. At other times, you might need snowshoes, climbing gear and winter-quality sleeping gear in order to hike the trails safely.
Step 4
Bring bear-resistant containers to store your food, especially if you plan on camping overnight. Bears are common between May and October. You might also encounter marmots and other wildlife. Before you take on the trails, have a word with the park ranger to find out where bears have been sighted in the previous few days and where. That will help you be more aware of your surroundings.
Step 5
Improve your cardiovascular fitness if you're planning on reaching the summit. According to the Tahoe Backcountry website, altitude sickness, dehydration and running out of energy are common reasons people cannot complete the hike or must do it over several days. Practice hiking in uneven terrain, run indoors on a treadmill and do resistance training on your lower body, so your leg muscles get stronger.
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