We only had two short days to spend in the Eastern Sierra, so on the second day after having hiked to Kearsarge Pass the day before, we decided upon something shorter since we’d be heading back to Los Angeles on this day. I knew the hike to Lone Pine Lake on the Mount Whitney Trail was only about 5.8 miles round trip, and although I am not always keen on hiking busy trails (this one probably being the most popular trail in all of California) I decided to suck it up and give it a go.
On Saturday the day we arrived, we actually drove up to the Whitney Portal just to check it out. I have to admit I was pretty starstruck knowing that every year about 30,000 people try for the summit of the tallest peak in the lower 48. Just for fun, we weighed our backpacks at the weigh station, and my day pack weighed in at 15 pounds.
On this Monday morning as we began the hike to Lone Pine Lake, the first section of the Mount Whitney Trail reminded me very much of a typical Southern California hiking trail. The grade was steady and not too strenuous as we ascended through pine trees, passed by wildflowers, a grazing doe and crossed over a few streams. We were surrounded by the towering walls of majestic granite cliffs that opened up to views down into the Owens Valley, Alabama Hills and White Mountains off in the distance. At about 2.8 miles we reached the junction for Lone Pine Lake and followed the trail to the shores of the lake’s stunningly beautiful cobalt blue waters. After spending some time exploring the lake, we hiked a little further on the Mount Whitney Trail to the posted sign for the permit only Mount Whitney Zone even though we knew we would not be going any further today. As we looked longingly up trail towards Outpost Camp, several groups of hikers passed us crossing over into the zone with their permits hanging from their backpacks like little battle flags. I could not help feeling a bit jealous wishing I were one of them, but also knowing I would not want to attempt hiking Mount Whitney in just one day. On this trail, my husband and I made a pact that we would start collecting the gear and learning how to backpack. It’s something we’ve been thinking about for a while now, but seeing this mountain in person for the first time seemed to inspire us to get the ball rolling. Perhaps someday we too would be one of the many hikers who journey to the top of this peak, but for today we would just take it all in before it was time to head back home leaving the Sierra until next time.
We arrive at the trailhead and begin our hike on the Mount Whitney Trail at approximately 6:30 am.
Surprisingly, there are few people here. The lot is full, but I imagine most day hikers began their summit attempt as early as midnight.
The beginning of this trail reminds me of a typical Southern California hike.
As we ascend the morning light turns from pink to a pumpkin orange hue.
The surrounding granite walls keep me snapping photos one after the other.
The trail climbs quickly, but moderately.
We pass through lush green ferns.
Here we make our first water crossing.
We reach the wilderness boundary at approximately .9 miles up.
One last tidbit of information for hikers bound for the summit.
Lone Pine Creek cascades down the mountainside.
Rabbitbrush abounds the trail.
The sheer granite walls still hold my attention.
We come upon a doe grazing just below the switchback we are on.
I stop and watch her before trying to take a photo, afraid I will scare her if I move.
I take out my camera and she does not seem to mind. She goes about her business as I snap a few photos before we all go separate ways.
A Steller's Jay hops along the trail in front of us. I move in front of my husband and follow the little blue bird and I click away at the shutter button until he flies up and onto a pine branch. I thank him for the photo and continue along the trail.
Passing through corn lily.
Another cascade.
Conveniently placed logs help us over another water crossing.
I can tell we are getting closer to the junction for the lake.
Reaching the shores of Lone Pine Lake.
The water shaded by the cliffs is a deep cobalt blue.
The chilly mountain air quickly makes me wish we were on the other side of the lake in the sun.
I reach down into the water to feel its temperature. I spend the next few minutes trying to warm my hand back up.
We decide to try and venture over to the sunny side of the lake.
We scramble up a few rocks.
I decided not to continue the scramble and we turn back. Although it isn't difficult, I don't feel like doing something dumb like spraining an ankle on a short hike the day we are to return home.
After we get our fill of the lake, we decided to trek a little further just to get a glimpse of the sign for the Whitney Zone. A few hikers pass us and head past the boundary, their pink permits dangling from their backpacks like little battle flags. I can't help but feel a bit jealous, and I wish I could continue further even though I know today would not be the day to try for the summit.
Before taking this wide shot, we meet a fellow hiker coming down. Her name is Nadine and she looks to be in her 70s. We chat with her for some time and she shares with us that the first time she hiked this trail, she went all the way to Mirror Lake in a pair of flip flops! We laugh and I ask her how many times she'd gone to the summit. She answers, "At least 10 times."
Sadly, it is time to start heading down the trail and begin to face the reality that we have to go to back to work... the daily grind... and leave this beautiful place.
We stop to admire another cascade.
My mind wanders as we descend. I think about coming back in the fall, maybe going up to Bishop to see the fall colors. I make a pact with my husband that by this time next year, we will have learned how to backpack so we can some day try for the summit. We bump fists and continue our descent.
I stop to admire the granite cliffs again along with this peculiar cloud.
We get some beautiful views down into Owens Valley, the Alabama Hills and the White Mountains.
My husband is way ahead of me now. I am procrastinating by taking more photos because I don't want to leave.
I look over and can see the trail wrapping around the mountain. I'm glad we have a little ways to go. I am still contemplating everything we will need to begin our backpacking adventures, and I am making lists in my head that I will write down later and begin my research.
Then I see a Mourning Cloak who perches quietly on a branch.
I take a millon photos before another hiker comes up the trail and the butterfly flies away.
We are getting closer to the portal now.
One more look back at these majestic mountains.
All too quickly our Sierra adventure ends... until next time.
