I’m planning on making a side trip off the PCT to climb Mt. Whitney. Do I really need to pay $15 for a permit for this or is the permit only for people who are camping overnight?
Oscar
Mt. Whitney - Pacific Crest Trail
system
#2
No, you should get a permit. It’s for anyone climbing the peak, not just those who camp. Get it when you get your PCTA thruhiking permit.
Ginny
system
#3
You need a permit to climb Whitney. I saw a couple of NPS Rangers on my way to the summit. It’s only $15. I suggest you bite the bullet and order the permit.
Have a great hike!
Jeffrey Hunter
system
#4
I hiked Whitney from the PCT this last year (2006). I and others asked the Rangers if we needed permits and all got the same response, if you are climbing from the PCT on the West side of Whitney, you DO NOT need a permit. The permit is needed only if climbing from the Owens Valley floor on the East side of the mountain. For the best info call the NPS.
Alon
system
#5
YES, you DO need a permit.
just because you got away with it Alon doesn’t mean it’s not required. The number of climbers is restricted on a daily basis. Even if you have a PCT permit you still have to fill out the the Whitney summit permit portion of the PCT application and pay the extra summit fee.
Although, most PCT hikers will not be questioned, I was asked for mine after summiting on the west side and descending the portal. I was asked to provide it while ascending the portal the next day from the east side, also.
hellkat
system
#6
from my understanding: you only need a permit to climb mt. whitney if you will be on the mt. whitney trail. so if you were climbing mt. whitney from the east side, from the pct, and followed the JMT to where it meets the mt. whitney trail coming from the portal you would need a permit.
but from what i understand, those that climb mt. whitney via other ways, such as the mountaineerers route, they do not need a permit, unless they plan on camping overnight.
jerm
system
#7
Jerm,
Actually the Mountaineer’s Route via Lower and Upper Boyscout lakes and Iceberg lake is also permit controlled. In fact it is more strictly controlled than the main Whitney trail. I believe that only 10 permits per day are allocated for the Mountaineers Route. I can not speak to the original question though as I did not take the side trip up Whitney this past year as I had done the Mountaineer’s Route up the east side several years previously. I would suggest though to contact the NPS for the answer.
Elevator
system
#8
According to the SEKI web-site, permits are required for all hikers, day or not, that enter the Mt. Whitney zone. The zone starts above Lone Pine Lake on the east and at Timberline Lake on the west. It is done to control the amount of hikers each day to limit the impact to the zone. You can check out the information on the SEKI site here http://www.nps.gov/archive/seki/whitney.htm
Also check out the Whitney Portal Store board for the best information on Whitney. http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/
Good luck and have fun!
Old Grey