Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Camp at Lone Pine Lake before Day Hike

Question for the gang here:

Lone Pine Lake is just below the Whitney Zone sign and to my understanding the point of no return on needing a permit.

I do have a permit for this summer for a day hike around the August full moon. Rather than doing an early morning start from the portal, can you actually leave the day before and relax/sleep/camp at Lone Pine Lake under the stars until early in the morning. Then enter the Zone after Midnight.

I wouldn't be at all worried about leaving some gear at Lone Pine Lake (except food). Can I do that with a day hike permit? Has anybody on this board done something like that before?

There is no camping anywhere along the trail, including Lone Pine Lake, without an overnight permit. You would need to secure an overnight permit the night before your day hiking permit.

If by relax and sleep at Lone Pine Lake, you mean start at midnight and snooze at the lake between 2:00 am and when gets light - without a sleeping bag, sure go ahead.

Tiffany is correct ... you must have an overnight permit to camp at Lone Pine Lake. But picking up an overnight permit on the same day you leave is easy.

Just show up at the visitors center sometime after 8AM and any overnight permits that weren't picked up in the overnight box will be available. So don't be hypnotized by the date on the permit you are holding. You'll easily get a permit for the same day at 8AM or wait until 11AM and get one for the next day.

It's only about a 30-40 minute drive from the visitors center to the Portal, so you won't be rushed. Plenty of time to meander around before heading to LP Lake (less than 3 miles). Just be sure to bring/rent a bear cannister. Unless you are going on a holiday weekend the probability of success is near 100%.

Have fun.

LonePalm

the bugs or out. got bit up go prepaired carry bug spray good luck.