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Mount Whitney, Sierra Nevada, 7 Day Guided Climb with Horsepack Support

Mount Whitney, Sierra Nevada, 7 Day Guided Climb with Horsepack Support | undefined

Come and spend 7 days hiking to the summit of the beautiful Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevada mountain range with our SYMG certified guides.

Sierra Nevada (California)

7 Days

Aug

High

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Summit Mt Whitney (14,495'), the highest peak in the contiguous US
  • Enjoy the solitude and stillness of Sequoia-Kings National Park
  • Experience the stunning landscapes of the High Sierra along the Pacific Crest Trail

Description

Hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States (14,500 ft!), and explore the untouched wilderness of Sequoia National Park's backcountry.

Let packstock animals carry your gear as you journey between campsites along breathtaking sections of the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Traverse flower-filled meadows, skirt crystal-clear alpine lakes, and wander through towering foxtail pines. Reaching the summit of Mt. Whitney is an unforgettable experience, offering panoramic vistas unlike any other.

Price includes

  • Accommodation included
  • Guiding fee
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Transport during the trip
  • Transportation start and back
  • Permit and entrance fees
  • Porters
  • Luggage transfer
  • Mules and horses
  • Tents
  • Sleeping pad
  • Cooking utensils
  • Sleeping bag
  • Snacks

Price details

  • Price Includes:
  • Accommodations:
  • • 1st night's stay at the Dow Villa Hotel in Lone Pine, CA
  • • 5 nights of wilderness tent camping (permits included)
  • Food:
  • • Starting with lunch on Day 2 and ending with lunch on Day 7
  • • Backcountry gourmet meals including trail snacks
  • • Hot tea or coffee served each morning
  • Gear
  • • All group gear including stoves, cookware, water filters, group first aid kit, etc.
  • • Personal camping gear provided by request: Backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and trekking poles.
  • Not Included:
  • X Trip Insurance (strongly recommended, TravelGuard insurance)
  • X Recommended 1020% gratuity for guide(s) and 3% for packers
  • X Transportation to and from trailhead
  • X Personal clothing & footwear
  • X Dinner on the first night in Lone Pine
  • X Airfare
  • X Evacuations

Itinerary

Day 1: MEET YOUR GUIDES IN LONE PINE, CA

We'll start with a comfortable night at the historic Dow Villa Hotel in Lone Pine, California. This charming spot boasts stunning views of Mt. Whitney rising majestically on the western horizon. At 6 pm, meet your guide and fellow adventurers for a trip orientation. Dinner is free to explore on your own, though we usually gather at a local restaurant – a great chance to bond with your group!

Day 2: CAMP AT CHICKEN SPRINGS LAKE

Breakfast, with options at the charming hotel restaurant or nearby cafes in Lone Pine. At 8 am, we'll carpool 45 minutes to the pack station and transfer our gear to the mule train. With boots laced and spirits high, we'll embark on our hike! Our first night's camp awaits at Chicken Springs Lake.

4 miles, Elevation: +1516' / -217'

Day 3: HIKE ALONG THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL

Today's adventure follows the iconic Pacific Crest Trail through towering Foxtail Pine forests. Descend to the picturesque lower reaches of Rock Creek, our campsite for the night. As the sun dips below the horizon, witness a breathtaking display of alpenglow at the surrounding peaks.

9 miles +632'/ -2,128'

Day 4: HIKE TO CRABTREE MEADOWS

We'll depart camp and conquer the gentle Guyot Pass, leading us to Crabtree Meadows. Here, we'll set up camp early to rest and prepare for our pre-dawn push to the summit of Mt. Whitney!

11 miles, Elevation: +1,948'/ -1,826'

Day 5: SUMMIT MT. WHITNEY

Early alpine start, before sunrise for our long-awaited summit push of Mt. Whitney. Witness breathtaking panoramic views from the highest point in the contiguous United States (excluding Alaska)! After conquering the peak, we'll descend back to camp for a well-deserved siesta. As the day winds down, celebrate your accomplishment with a celebratory supper, followed by a spectacular sunset painting the peaks of Mt. Russell and the Kaweah Crest.

15 miles, Elevation: +4,118'/ -4,475'

Day 6: HIKE TO ROCK CREEK

Feeling accomplished after summit day, we'll embark on our return hike southward through Sequoia National Park. Taking a different route than our ascent, we'll traverse towards the headwaters of Rock Creek near Soldier Meadow.

10.5 miles, Elevation: +1,926'/ -1947'

Day 7: EXIT VIA COTTONWOOD TRAILHEAD

After one final camp breakdown, we'll retrace our steps through Cottonwood Pass, marking our descent from the High Sierra. Expect to reach our vehicles at the trailhead by early afternoon, ready to reminisce about your incredible adventure.

10 miles, Elevation: +1,602'/ -1,192'

 

Details

Accommodation

• 1st night's stay at the Dow Villa Hotel in Lone Pine, CA • 5 nights of wilderness tent camping (permits included)

Meeting point

Sequoia national park.

FAQs

How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?

Your trip begins at the Dow Villa Hotel in Lone Pine, CA. Plan to arrive at the hotel before 6 pm so you can meet your guides and group for your trip orientation. If you’re flying to the area, the closest airport options are LAX (Los Angeles) and LAS (Las Vegas). We recommend renting a car to travel to Lone Pine and the trailhead, as there are not public transportation options. On Day 2, you will follow your guide in your own vehicle to the starting trailhead, where it can stay parked for the duration of your trip. We will exit the trailhead by early afternoon on the final day.

What's the nearest airport to fly in?

If you’re flying to the area, the closest airport options are LAX (Los Angeles) and LAS (Las Vegas). We recommend renting a car to travel to Lone Pine and the trailhead, as there are not public transportation options.

What equipment will the mules carry, and what should I carry myself?

Mules will be carrying all of our equipment and your personal gear each day. Each person is allowed to bring a maximum of 15 lbs of personal items to be carried by the mules. We won’t be hiking with the mules and perhaps not even camping with them depending on the day. You will need to pack your personal belongings (not including tent, sleeping bag & pad) efficiently into one mid-sized compression sack or duffel, weighing no more than 15 pounds. You are welcome to pack anything extra in your daypack.

What should I pack in my hiking backpack vs. my personal bag that the mules carry?

In your daypack, you’ll want to have water for the day (about 2-3 liters), raingear (a must in the Sierra), sunscreen, a warm insulating layer, sunglasses/hat, blister/first aid care. You can pack anything extra in your hiking backpack as well, such as a camera, binoculars, field guide, etc. Keep in mind that you won’t have access to the rest of your belongings that the mules carry until you arrive at camp each evening, so make sure you have what you need for the day. Everything else can be packed with the mules! Each person is allowed to bring a maximum of 15 lbs of personal items to be carried by the mules.

Will I need to share a tent with someone I don’t know?

If you’re a solo traveler and have requested to borrow a tent from SYMG, you will receive your own single tent for the backcountry portion of the trip (hotel accommodations are shared unless you request to pay extra for a single supplement). For those that are traveling with friends or family members, we’d ask that you consider sharing a tent with someone you’re traveling with to save space and minimize our impact on the campsites that we use.

How do we handle gratuities for our guides & packers?

Your guides work very hard to provide an exemplary trip experience for you, and it is customary to give them a gratuity for a job well done. Tips are shared between your guides. 10-20% of your trip cost is recommended and cash or check is preferred (there is an ATM at the Wyndham if needed).

It is also customary to tip the packer. A tip of 3% of your trip cost is recommended, tips can be given directly to the packer on the last day at the trailhead (cash is preferred).

What group gear is supplied?

SYMG supplies the following group gear:

• Cooking gear, pots, and pans

• Utensils, plate ware, and drinking mugs for each person

• Stoves & fuel

• Water filters (hand pump)

• Maps & compass

• Emergency/first aid gear

• Bearproof panniers for food and scented item storage

• Bathroom kit (shovel, toilet paper, etc)

What weather conditions can we expect to have?

During the summer months of June through September, average temperatures in the backcountry (7,000-10,000’) range between 65-75°F during the day and 30-40°F at night. Generally, July and August are the warmest months, while June and September have cooler temperatures. Multi-day storm systems are rare, however, rain or snow showers can happen any afternoon in the summer, so it’s important to bring proper rain gear.

What training and preparation do I need to have to go on this Mount Whitney summit trip?

This trip is designed as a challenging backcountry experience, so we recommend having hiking and camping experience before embarking on the Mt Whitney With Horsepack Support. The most successful people on this trip are comfortable hiking 8-10 miles multiple days in a row on varied terrain with a light daypack on (~10-15 lbs).

If you don’t have this experience, we recommend committing to a detailed training plan. Ultimately, the more you train, the more fun you’ll have and the more successful you’ll be!

About the guide

Guide profile image

SYMG

5.0

(2)

Guiding agency

Languages

English

Certificates

AMGA | PCGI

Request more information

What people are saying about this trip

5

We had an absolutely spectacular trip with Nick. It was everything we were hoping for in experiencing the JMT. Nick was outstanding – he had us well organized, picked the best sites for camping, and kept us well fed!! Our thanks to you and to Nick for a great experience.

5

I went on the northbound John Muir Trail trip in 2023, and all I can say is that my first trip with SYMG greatly exceeded my expectations. Our guide Riley did an amazing job on the trip, and the logistics were taken care of so smoothly and seamlessly that it made it very easy to relax and really enjoy the amazing scenery around us.


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