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Joined: May 2003
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I've been wanting to hike from Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney.
How many days should I plan, averaging 10 mile per day or less?
Any suggestions on where to camp?
Thanks for your help!
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Joined: Jul 2003
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I did a search on Kearsarge Pass and Forester Pass to see how the new search engine works. Here are some snippits Alternate routes to Whitney summit
Here is a possible scenario for you, you and your son will need to be in good shape:
Obtain a permit to enter the Kearsarge Pass Trail from Onion Valley and exit at Whitney Portal before you go.
Day 1: fly into and check out Las Vegas.
Day 2: Get an early start and drive from Las Vegas to Ancient Bristlecones Pine Forest (oldest living things in the world), check out Schulman Grove. Very interesting, and you will be at altitude. Drive down to Bishop, try to get there before the ranger office closes, pick up your permit, drive to the Onion Valley trailhead and camp overnight at Onion Valley.
Day 3: Hike up and over Kearsarge Pass, camp at Vidette Meadow.
Day 4: Vidette Meadow over Forester Pass to Tyndall.
Day 5: Tyndall to Guitar Lake.
Day 6: Guitar Lake to Mt. Whitney summit, down to Trail Camp.
Day 7: Trail Camp to Whitney Portal, get a shuttle (look up Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce Web Page) to take you back to Onion Valley, then drive back to Las Vegas.
Whether you choose this or another itinerary, best of luck on your trip. Whitney via Kearsarge Pass Conditions
Here is a snapshot of our trip:
August 4 - camped at the Portal
August 5 - Had my brother drive us over to Onion Valley. We started our hike at 11:30 and camped at Flower Lake (about 3 miles in). We had 3 tents for each night of camping. I didn't want to do any more so that the teenagers could get acclimated. No bear boxes at this campsite. I carried 2 bear canisters and each teenager carried 1.
August 6 - Camped at Kearsarge Lakes. Bear boxes near first lake and other lakes. Lots of camp sites.
August 7 - Hike to Center Basin junction. Bear boxes and many campsites here (good to get to Center Basin early. Could fill up (bear box too).
August 8 - Over Forester to Tyndall Creek. 1 bear box just before stream crossing. Lots of camping sites on both sides of creek. If you don't need the use of a bear box, I would camp on the other side to get the stream crossing out of the way.
August 9 - Camped at Crabtree. Bear box at stream crossing. many campsites on both side of creek.
August 10 - Camped at tarns above Guitar. No bear boxes (none at Guitar either). many campsites at both locations.
August 11 - Up at 3am. On the trail at 4:20am. At the trail junction at 5:50am. Left packs off and was on top of Whitney at 7:15am. Reached the Portal store at 2:00pm.
Paul Whitney from the westside
For Kearsarge Pass route out of Onion Valley to Whitney and then out the portal you will need a Kearsarge pass permit and and trail crest exit permit. Both should still be available, I would call the permit office directly (760) 873-2483.
We did this hike last year in 4 1/2 days. It is 50 miles and you go over Forrester Pass 13,200 ft so by the time you get to Whitney you are well acclimated. For me this was an awesome experience, far better than the first time I went up the main trail. You just have to have a few extra days to do it.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Get a map(s)of the area figure out miles that your physical conditioning allow you to do a day. I can do this route in 3 or 4 days but my guess is most do in 6 or 7.
It is all about crossing passes, Kearsarge, Forester and Trail Crest.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Onion Valley-to-Whitney Portal was my very first backpack, oh so many years ago. I'm not even sure there was a trail yet. Took us three days, although that was pretty tough. You would be amused at some of the details of that trip. If we ever meet again, I hope we have more time to talk than on that brief encounter on Whitney’s summit a few years ago.
heart_of_a_tiger is right about the 50 miles. The Boy Scouts are into doing "Fifty Milers," and it is one of their most popular.
Actually, I have been hankering to do it again soon, and have resolved to try and make it happen this summer. Probably will shoot for four days.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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A few days of acclimatization first are very important, even more so for backpacking than for dayhiking.
Time needed depends on group and various dynamics.
In 1994, we took 5 night/6 days to do it, although first and last days were only half days. Am returning to do it again this year with 6 people accompanying me rather than 1, so we plan 6/7 just in case. If I was doing it with my lightweight style son, we would do it in 3/4. Harvey
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Bob R. - have you set a timeframe for that trip?
gregf
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Joined: May 2003
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1) Thanks, Versatile Fred; I did do a search, but I didn't get this info.
2) Thanks, wbtravis5152; I do have a map.
3) Thanks, Bob R.; we will meet again, our meeting was one of the highlights of our trip last year, my main trail permits are for mid July this year.
4) Thanks, hlankfore; I want to do some fishing, so 6 days sounds good. Hope you have a great trip, looking forward to your trip report.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Greg, I have not. I have a few other trips scheduled this summer that I will have to work around. It won't be the last week in June and the first in July, and it won't be the first two weeks in August. Likely I will just get itchy feet one of these days and head on up.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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One of my favorites,i have done twice with my kids,ran down Forrester pass to Tyndall creek to beat thunder storm at 10:00 am. After setting up tent it hailed so much there was 2-3 inches of hail on the ground.Looking back at Forrester Pass is awesome, you wonder how did they build that trail.Enjoy!
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Joined: Jun 2003
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