Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney

How long does it take to hike from Onion valley to Mt. Whitney. One group says 4 days.....one says 8 days etc. What would be a reasonable time if you don't stop to peak bag on the way.

Also, would it be normal to finish through the artic lakes to the Whitney - Russel pass (and Iceberg lake) instead of going through Guitar lake and up the trail? That way I could climb Mt. Russell/ Mt Whitney from Iceberg lake and go down the MR>

My 4-day trip started with a night in the Onion Valley parking lot. Hiked all day, about 15 miles, overnight at Center Basin junction, just north of Forrester Pass. (Also had my great <a href= "http://www.mt-whitney.info/viewtopic.php?t=92" target=_new> Wild Bear Encounter </a> there.) Second night at Wallace Creek (another long 15-mile day) Third day got to Guitar Lake and had a mid-day dinner and rest for about 2 hours, then climbed to the peak, spent the night on top. Fourth day, Portal by 2:30, back home to Fresno by 9 pm. The first two days were very long and tiring.

Yes, it is reasonable to go from Guitar Lake over Whitney/Russell pass to Iceberg. I did that with a full pack (in reverse) years ago.

For conditioning reference, I'm over 50, but run 10 miles per week (around 7:30), and ride a bicycle to work and back several times per week.

I would say if you just wanted to do some long hiking days you could crank it in three. I think 4-5-6 days would be more sane and enjoyable. As for Arctic Pass, I'm not sure what you mean by is it "normal" to go that way. If you're backpacking, unless you want to add another big adventure to your itinerary, I'd go up Whitney via Trail Crest. That's what the vast majority of people do, which I guess makes it normal?

Buck,

I think you've confused Arc Pass with Arctic Lake (that would be a crazy way to exit). If Tom's interest is in doing the MR to the summmit, crossing Whitney/Russell Col would be the way to go. The couple of times that I've done it, it wasn't any big deal (but it is cross-country, rather than a trail).