PCT Day 46: Mt Whitney

ByPurple Haze Posted on

Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 766.3

The Mt Whitney hike mileage (17 miles) is not part of the PCT so I can’t count it as official mileage. Having said that, it was just too good to pass up even though an over 4,000 ft elevation gain to the summit at 14,505 ft. Figured I may never be in this kind of shape again so better go for it!

5-Star and I were on the trail by 5:15am. We passed Timberline and Guitar Lakes and then started climbing in earnest to the junction with the Whitney Portal Trail coming up from the east side. We passed a few thru-hikers coming down who got to the top for sunrise.

5-Star near the top

We followed the ridge up for two more miles to the summit. The 360-degree views were spectacular in all directions. Had lunch, took lots of pictures and sent a SPOT message to family so they knew where I was.

Me on the highest point in the contiguous United States!

This was 5-Star’s 5th Whitney summit and he had the energy to bag Muir Peak on the way down.

Down from the summit

We both thought we may try to get a little further on the PCT after returning to base camp at Crabtree Meadows but rest and dinner took a priority.

Tomorrow the challenge is Forester Pass, the highest in the Sierras.