Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Whitney trail in sneakers?

I've read that during the summer months (assuming the snow has melted), you can climb the main Whitney trail with just sneakers? Is that true? Is the trail that flat? I ask because 22 miles in boots can do a lot of damage vs running/walking shoes. But if there's a decent amount of scrambling to be done, it's probably not too smart.

Many do it in sneakers but the trail does have rocky sections where one can turn an ankle. Boots will not completely protect against turning an ankle but do provide more support than sneakers.

There are also places that are very slick due to scree covered flat rocks that are just as slippery as ice in sneakers.

I recently bought a pair of Merrill cross trainers from REI for about $100 and they work and feel great.Great comfort and traction,great on all terrains.

Glenn,
I find a good pair of running shoes to be perfect for the trail if your feet are strong and used to some rocks. I've done both the main trail and the MR in Nike Pagasus or equivalent on day trips. Probably best to test this plan out somewhere similar before you go.

I would add a pair of stretch gaiters to your runner shoes. They'll keep your socks clean and sand out of your shoes. Argear.com has a pair of Montbell stretch gaiers for 29.95. They're definitely worth the $30.00.

The weight of your pack is an issue. I like to go fast and light, and running shoes work fine for me.

I've had great luck with 5-10 approach shoes like the Guide Teenine or Mountain Master. The gaiters are a must too. These will help you do Muir as you pass it on your way to Whitney (two fourteener's in one day!).

Glenn, you may do just fine with running/walking shoes. The "rockiest" portion of the trail is on the backside, from Trail Crest to the summit, where lot's of broken rock was used to build up the trail. As far as boots are concerned, over the years I've walked thousands of miles--in bad ones and good ones. Bad-fitting boots can do considerable damage in a few miles. Good-fitting boots, however, are a wonderful blessing for your feet and should never give you so much as a blister. It's your feet...and your ankles. For cross-country travel, I sometimes carry both sneakers and boots--boots for walking and sneakers for stream crossings and R&R. All this being said, I have observed some people doing the main Whitney Trail in sneakers with heavy packs, and they seemed to do okay. Whatever you choose, we hope to see you up there...with happy feet!

I prefer to use trail running shoes. All the traction of hiking boots, but the weight and cushioning of running shoes.

I have a pair of New Balance trail running shoes that retail for $69.99 but were on clearance at Big 5 for $29.00. They've been up half dome twice, stained red from hiking in mud on the island of Kuaui, taken me up Buckskin pass in Aspen, and scrambled across slick rock in Utah, including two trips up to Angel's Landing and hike in the water through the narrows in Zion NP and also some hiking in Bryce Canyon. I've also used them with a pack for an overnight trip to Mt. San Jancinto.

They shrunk a little because of the snow on San Jancinto, so they probably won't be going with me to Whitney in June. But other than that, I've never had a problem with them and never had a blister. My advice to anyone on shoes is don't ever pay retail (last year's model is always cheaper) and break them in. That last bit bears repeating... break them in before your trip.

oh yeah, you can go up the trail in sneaks. personally, i wouldn't want to hump a heavy pack in them, but on a day hike it's personal preference.

i summitted last year and on the way down, near the top of the switchbacks, i ran into a young girl, about 15 or so, walking up by herself in a tank top, denim mini-skirt, and keds (with no socks). and hand-carrying a water bottle. so much for convention.

Love that story. I think I will try going up in flip-flops as soon as the snow melts.

We need to get Bob R to tell the story about the person who tried to climb Whitney barefoot.

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On one of my one day climbs up the Mountaineers Route in June a few years back, a member of our group wore some high top tennis shoes. They seemed to work well for him, even crossing left over snow fields up high on the mountain.

At the time I thought it was odd...him not wearing real hiking shoes. But I bet they were a lot lighter then the shoes I had on. Only down side...he probably felt the rocks more through such light shoes.

I have been climbing in trail running shoes for years and have never had a problem. I am even able to strap on crampons for an occasional icy patch when the going gets steep. As someone has mentioned in a previous post, light gaters do a great job of keeping the scree out of your shoes. North face and merrill offer trail shoes with gaters. New balance seems to work the best for me. Good luck!

It all depends on what you feel comfortable in. Personally, I would use boots.

The trail above Mirror Lake is a killer. You there are very few spots where you can put your feet flat on the ground. In trail runners you will feel a lot more of the trail than me in my mid-weight backpacking boots.

Gather all the information you can on the subject then make your decision.

In the 70's I wore heavy mountaineering boots on Whitney dayhikes because I could come down the trail without worrying about foot placement because the thick soles and ankle support would protect me.

By the 80's I went to very light boots and could not get enough foot protection.

For the last ten years I've used the same pair of medium weight hiking boots. There is no issue now about the boots being broken in, but in the years when I have been in poor shape my feet have been sore afterwards. In years when I haved exercised more the boots have been fine protection.

The moral is: your footwear must fit your style, your feet, and your condition for the trail you will use them on.

On the question of snow and sandals, in about 1990 a friend and I were ascending the snow directly below trail crest (the switchbacks were still conpletely snow covered), when we were passed by a fellow in Tevas (and thick wool socks), so it is not necessary to wait until the snow is gone to go open toe. I can recall an evening at a condo at Mammoth when I wore Tevas in 24" deep powder snow to get to the jacusi. The terrain was, however, relatively flat.

Glenn, last time I was up that route, I was taking my 14 year-old sis up on a dayhike. I had bought her some New Balance trail-running shoes, and I wore some Nike ACG sandals the whole way (yes, real sandals, not the new hybrids).

For my part, some care was necessary to keep from smashing anything on a few sections, but having light-weight footgear was totally worth it. The only time things got dicey for me was on a south-ridgeline 4th-class variation up Muir.

I would highly recommend some running-shoe-style kicks for the average Whitney dayhiker, as the trail during late summer is a full-fledged freeway.

A couple of years ago I was heading back to the Portal Store, about a mile out of Trail Camp, when I passed a guy dressed like a monk, hiking to Trail Camp. He was bare foot and appeared to be carrying a 1 gallon jug of orange juice. I kid you not.

Although one can easily do a summer summit in tennis shoes, I prefer boots with a thick sole or metal shank. The trail of often over broken rock and I find I need the ankle support and the shank or sole to protect the bottom of my feet from bruising.

I've done the Main Trail several times in Adidas trail runners, making the decision based trail conditions (i.e., no snow) and knowing I had a well broken in pair of shoes. I didn't have any issues with the rocks and scree on the trail. Nothing is worse than suffering with a new or infrequently worn pair of shoes or boots, particularly on a day hike where you'll be spending 12-16 hours on your feet.

I hiked Whitney last July in New Balance running sneakers. Had to jump over water a few times but didn't have any problems and ran down about half the way.