Mount Whitney Height report
Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the continental United States and belongs to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in eastern California. The peaks of Mount Whitney are flat and snow-covered year-round, with avalanche channels and granite blocks on the slopes.
An American geologist discovered Mount Whitney in 1864, so it was named after it and was first climbed to the top in 1873. Many scenic national parks near the Whitney Mountains, such as Sequoia National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Yosemite National Park, which was also Jobs' favorite national park during his lifetime.
Speaking of the Alabama Wolf Mound at the foot of Mount Whitney, many people think it is very strange, but as long as they see this place where there are many boulders, many people will remember that it has appeared in many American cities films. According to statistics, more than 300 Hollywood movies have been filmed in Wolf Hill, Alabama, such as "Iron Man," "Transformers 2: Comeback," etc. This post will introduce more facts about Mount Whitney.
Mount Whitney Introduction
Mount Whitney is at the eastern border of Sequoia National Park, immediately west of the city of Lone Pine. It was named for the geologist Josiah Dwight Whitney, and it was first climbed in 1873 by Albert Johnson, Charles Begole, and John Lucas. Whether you are seeking a one-day hiking challenge, an overnight ascent, or beginning the trek of your dreams, climbing Mt. Whitney is a memorable experience. Most day hikers choose the classic Mt. Whitney Trail. The 22-mile round-trip hike will be a challenge even for very fit hikers.
Located on the east side of California's beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Mt Whitney Trail starts in Inyo National Forest at Whitney Portal, 8,300 feet above sea level. The summit of Mt. Whitney is the southern end of the John Muir Trail. The trail gained over 6,200 feet before reaching the summit in Sequoia National Park. Named for the naturalist, author, and early wilderness preservation advocate, the John Muir Trail extends from the summit of Mt Whitney more than 200 miles north to reach Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley.
Height and Prominence
At an elevation of 14,501 feet, Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in California and the tallest peak in the Lower 48 states. The only American mountains higher than Whitney are in Alaska, with seven higher peaks, including Denali, the highest peak in North America. Mount Whitney is the second-highest ultra-prominent peak in the Lower 48 U.S. states with 10,071 feet of prominence and is the 81st most prominent peak globally.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36.578581 N / -118.291995 W |
| Location | Sierra Nevada, California |
| Elevation | 14,505 feet (4,421 meters) |
| Prominence | 10,071 feet (3,070 meters) |
| First Ascent | First ascent by Charles Begole, A. H. Johnson, and John Luca on August 18, 1873. |
The more interesting fact is that Mount Whitney ironically lies only 76 miles from Badwater, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level in Death Valley National Park.
Climbing Mount Whitney
In addition to the above-mentioned classic Mt Whitney Trail, there are two other hiking trails.
- Mountaineer's Route:
Over 6 miles each way. The difficulty level is level 3, and the technical difficulty is relatively high. Since this trail is not maintained manually, there are many rock piles and steep slopes. "The Chute," with a vertical height of 600 meters and a slope of 35 to 45 degrees before the summit, is a big challenge. Most climbers choose to camp at Iceberg Lake trough on the first day and get up early the next day to reach the summit.
- John Muir Trail
It is a famous long-distance route, the whole route starts from Yosemite Valley at the northern starting point, stretches 210.4 miles in the Sierra Nevada, reaches the southern end of Whitney Peak, and the last short distance coincides. With Whitney Peak Trail, the first two routes start from Whitney Portal at the foot of the east side of Mount Whitney, and the John Muir Trail reaches the summit from the west slope.
Final Words
The best place to see Mt. Whitney is the Interagency Visitor Center on Highway 395, south of the town of Lone Pine on the east side of the Sierra. The popularity of Mount Whitney is very high, and tens of thousands of tourists come here every year to try climbing. Due to a large number of climbers, to protect the natural environment and ensure the safety of climbers, all tourists entering the Whitney Peak area, whether or not to camp overnight on the mountain, need to obtain a special permit.
