How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Whitney?

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Last Updated on December 6, 2025 by Paul Clayton

How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Whitney?

Key Takeaways

• • Climbing Time Varies Widely: The time required to climb Mount Whitney (14,505 feet) depends significantly on the chosen route, a climber’s fitness level, and experience.
  • Mount Whitney Trail (MWT): This is the most popular and shortest route to the summit, approximately 22 miles round-trip with 6,100 feet of elevation gain.
    • A typical round-trip via the MWT takes 10-20 hours, with official estimates suggesting 12–14 hours for the full hike.
    • A fast pace can reach the summit in about 5 hours, while a slow pace may take 10 or more.
  • John Muir Trail (JMT): This is a much longer, more strenuous option that covers 211 miles through multiple national parks.
    • A full JMT hike typically takes three weeks to a month to complete.
  • Permits are Mandatory: Both the MWT and JMT require a wilderness permit (Day Use or Overnight), which is obtained via a competitive lottery system.
  • Optimal Season: The trail is generally snow-free, and therefore less difficult, from July to late September.
  • Safety Tips: Hikers are advised to start very early, especially for the MWT, and to consider starting lower (for the JMT) to allow for altitude acclimatization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the most common duration for a round-trip hike up Mount Whitney using the standard route?

A. The most popular route, the Mount Whitney Trail (22 miles round-trip), typically takes 10 to 20 hours for a round trip, with official estimates often citing 12–14 hours for the entire journey.

Q. What is the major difference in time commitment between the Mount Whitney Trail and the John Muir Trail (JMT)?

A. The Mount Whitney Trail is a long day hike (10-20 hours), while the John Muir Trail, which passes through several national parks on its way to the summit, is a multi-week endeavor, usually taking three weeks to a month to complete.

Q. When is the best time of year to attempt the climb to avoid snow?

A. The trail is usually snow-free from July to late September, which is the recommended window for climbing due to easier conditions.

Do I need a permit to climb Mount Whitney, and how do I get one?

A. Yes, a wilderness permit is required for hiking or backpacking on the trails leading to the summit. Permits are limited and obtained through a lottery system, making advance planning crucial.

Q. If I choose the Mount Whitney Trail, how many miles is it, and what is the starting elevation?

A. The Mount Whitney Trail is approximately 22 miles long (round-trip), and it starts at the Whitney Portal campground at an elevation of about 8,300 feet.

How Long Does It Take to Climb Mount Whitney?

Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, presents a formidable but achievable challenge to outdoor enthusiasts. The time to climb Mt Whitney can vary significantly depending on a climber’s experience, fitness level, and chosen route.

On average, a round-trip hike of Mount Whitney takes between 10 to 20 hours. This estimate includes the most popular Mount Whitney Trail, which is approximately 22 miles long with an elevation gain of over 6,100 feet. Considering factors such as rest breaks, pace adjustments for altitude sickness, and varying weather conditions, climbers should plan for a long, demanding day when they decide to climb Mount Whitney.

Mount Whitney is a desired landmark for many hikers. Its peak, situated at an altitude of 14,505 feet, is quite a challenge to reach, and this, paired with the unparalleled views presented to you on the way up, is part of the reason for the charm of this mountain.

If you want to visit Mount Whitney someday, you will need to plan ahead and set aside some time for the journey.

Speaking of time, how long does it take to climb Mount Whitney? This question is important because it will help you know in advance how much time to dedicate to your trip.

How Long is the Longest Trail?

If you didn’t know, there are a few routes up towards the peak of Mount Whitney.

If you choose the 22-mile-long Mount Whitney Trail that starts at the Whitney Portal campground at an altitude of 8,300 feet, it would take you up to around half a day to reach the top of the mountain. At a fast pace, it should take you about 5 hours, 7-8 hours at a more moderate pace, or around 10 hours or more if you take it slow.

If you choose the 211-mile John Muir Trail, however, it could take about a month for you to reach the peak of Mount Whitney!

So yeah, depending on your fitness level and the trail you choose, the hike to the mountain’s summit may take from a few hours to a month.

With that said, let’s have a more in-depth look at your hiking options and the duration of each.

The Different Paths to Mount Whitney’s Summit

There are plenty of ways to reach the summit of Mount Whitney, but we want to talk about the two options we mentioned above—the short Mount Whitney Trail and the challenging John Muir Trail. 

While we’ll be talking just about two options, the latter actually implies many more opportunities than you may imagine, since you can actually combine this hike with others! 

Mount Whitney Trail

We’ve briefly talked about this round-trip trail above. This is the easiest trail to the peak of Mount Whitney, and it’s also the most popular. It’s just 22 miles long, and it starts at an altitude of 8,300 feet at Whitney Portal. Whitney Portal is located 13 miles west of the town of Lone Pine.

The elevation gain of this hike is just 6,100 feet – since the hike starts quite high up already, there’s not much ground left for you to cover. As mentioned above, it takes from about 5 to 10 hours to get to the peak of Mount Whitney, depending on your pace. The descent takes 2-3 hours shorter.

According to recreation.gov, however, you should expect to spend 12-14 hours to get to the peak and come back with this hike. If you have the time, you may also stay on the trail for one or two nights, camping at Lone Pike Lake (10,000 feet), Outpost Camp (10,500 feet), Consultation Lake (11,000 feet), or Trail Camp (12,000 feet) along the way.

To visit Mount Whitney, you need a wilderness permit for hiking or backpacking. You may choose between a Day Use or an Overnight permit, depending on how much time you expect to spend on Mount Whitney. Keep in mind that the Day Use permit doesn’t allow you to stay on the mountain overnight.

Despite its short length, this hike is quite strenuous, especially when covered with snow. When snow is present, mountaineering equipment and skills are required, and the trip may take longer. Since conditions on Mount Whitney can vary, you should research what it’s like up there well before your trip. According to recreation.gov, the trail is usually snow-free from July to late September.

John Muir Trail

The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a 211-mile trail that passes through Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks and continues up toward the summit of Mount Whitney. The JMT is a good option if you have plenty of time and don’t like the idea of the shortcut the Whitney Portal offers.

Aside from that, the JMT allows you to see much more than just Mount Whitney. 

With that said, if you just want to reach the summit of Mount Whitney, then this trail is going to be overkill. The Mount Whitney Trail is a much better option for this.

The lowest point of this trail is at 4,040 feet at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley, and the highest point obviously is Mount Whitney’s peak at 14,505 feet. The total elevation change of the trail is around 46,000 feet, and the total descent is estimated at 36-38,000 feet. Paired with the length of this trail, the insane terrain throughout it makes this hike unparalleled in challenge.

People hike here mostly from July to September when, as mentioned above, Mount Whitney is generally free from snow – previous-year snow has already melted, while the new snow is yet to come. Well, if you were to take the hike in snowy conditions, you would make your life much more difficult and the hike more time-consuming.

With that said, you can hike earlier in the season if you are up to the challenge and have sufficient gear and experience. But unless you are absolutely sure about your capabilities, we suggest that you go hiking on this trail between July and September.

According to Outside, a typical run through the JMT takes about three weeks or, as we mentioned above, around a month. In snowy seasons, you are probably going to spend much more time on the trail. 

Remarkably, the fastest hike through the JMT took only two days, 19 hours, and 26 minutes. This number is completely unrealistic for people who aren’t there specifically to set records, but it’s amazing that such a long and diverse trip could be completed in such a short timeframe.

Like the Mount Whitney Hike, you need a permit to enter the JMT. A permit may be obtained from the national park or forest where you are planning to begin the hike. You may, for example, get started in the Inyo National Forest. For trips ending at Mount Whitney, the permit needs to specify the exit date and exit point.

With that said, you may actually access the JMT from any of the campgrounds or national parks that are adjacent to the trail. For example, you may start your journey from the Onion Valley, just 36 miles to the north of the mountain. A hike from the Onion Valley is still a challenge, but it’s much less time-consuming and difficult than the full JMT.

If you have a little more time, you may take the High Sierra Trail. 49 miles from the starting point, you may enter the JTM from this trail. And then, the summit of Mount Whitney is just 13 more miles away.

Tips on Making Your Ascent More Pleasant and Safe

It doesn’t really matter how long it takes to complete a trail – completing it comfortably and safely is much more important. With that said, let us give you a few tips to consider when planning your next trip to Mount Whitney’s summit.

Start early

The weather in the mornings tends to be calmer, particularly the winds. Well, make sure to take advantage of this! While altitude changes can certainly throw you off balance, bad weather is a major reason hikers fail to reach the top.

Aside from that, if you plan to take the Mount Whitney Trail, you need to start very early so you can get back down before 8 PM. As mentioned above, this trail generally takes 12-14 hours to cover.

Start lower

This tip applies more to the JMT than to other trails. If you have a choice of entry points, then we suggest that you start lower.

While starting lower and farther from the summit of Mount Whitney will make the journey longer, it will also allow you to acclimatize to the altitude changes. Starting lower lets you begin your journey in more familiar conditions and get used to the changes in altitude as you make your way towards the peak.

Leave the trail early if necessary

No one is going to think badly of you if you leave the 212-mile JMT trail 50 or 100 miles in. It’s a very challenging trail, and you need to be quite fit already to make it up to the Mount Whitney summit. Do not push yourself if you feel bad – things could end much worse if you don’t listen to your body.

Keep in mind the lottery

Finally, be aware of the lottery that applies when applying for a permit. Not everybody gets permits for the trails leading to the summit of Mount Whitney. This is done to limit the number of people on Mount Whitney. Due to the lottery, it’s also pretty difficult to plan ahead since you don’t know if you’ll be granted a permit a not.

Final Thoughts

Reaching the summit of Mount Whitney is a formidable and desirable feat that requires extensive preparation and commitment. The choice between the 22-mile Mount Whitney Trail and the 211-mile John Muir Trail must align with a climber’s available time and overall hiking goals (a quick summit versus a multi-week wilderness journey).

Given the trail’s difficulty, high altitude, and the challenges of securing a permit through the lottery, proper planning is essential for a successful trip.

Safety must be the priority over speed; hikers should start early to take advantage of calmer morning weather and be prepared to turn back if they experience physical difficulty.

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