[pct-l] planning - Walker Pass to Mt Whitney (Lone Pine)

[Sarah Estrella]

Hi WV,
I hiked from highway 58 to Whitney and out Whitney Portal last September. The permit process is very confusing. I called Sequoia NF and Inyo NF three times each because each kept referring me to the other one. So they don't even seem to know for sure. The bottom line was Sequoia NF issues the permit because the first place you need a permit for is Golden Trout Wilderness. I used the application at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_058990.pdf
Fill in your itinerary with Mt Whitney at the end and mail it in! You'll get a funky permit back by mail so no need to pick anything up.
On Whitney, a ranger checked my permit and said he'd "never seen one like that but it looks legit". I did keep it in the envelope it came in.
Have a great time! One of my best hikes ever.
FreeRange

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 21, 2015, at 1:08 PM, The Wilderness Vagabond <wildvagabond at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> I have carved out the section from Walker Pass to the PCT/JMT junction - exiting via Mt Whitney to Lone Pine for this Summer.  
>  This, as I understand it, is PCT mile 652 to Crabtree at 767 (115 miles), then about 18 miles on the JMT to Whitney Portal.; total of about 133 miles.
> 
> Background:  I'd like to start at Walker Pass and exit via Whitney Portal.
> 
> Because I'll be right there - I'd like to summit Mt. Whitney - do I need a separate permit for this?
> 
> I plan to average about 10 miles per day.  Resupply in Kennedy Meadows.
> 
> Please suggest the best start date for this hike.  (How did you determine this date?)
> 
> I'd like to avoid excessive snow walking and also have water available in the lower areas.
> 
> Permits?  I'm confused about what permit or permits I will need.  An Inyo FS permit to start?  A Whitney Zone permit?  A campfire permit?  Please advise.
> 
> Transportation?  I'd like to leave a vehicle at Lone Pine, then travel to Walker Pass to start the hike (ending hike at Lone Pine).  What are your transportation suggestions for getting to Walker Pass from Lone Pine?
> 
> Where, in Lone Pine, is the best place to store a vehicle for an extended time?
> 
> Are there other, workable, options to exiting via Whitney Portal?  Without lots more mileage.
> 
> Suggestions about things not to miss, places to stay and avoid - appreciated.
> 
> Thanks, Rob of the WV
> 
> 
> My best to you.  Remember, wherever you go there you are!    Please see:  http://wildernessvagabond.com/ for trip reports and other wild stuff.         I hope the aspects of your life that are deja vu all over again -- are the most enjoyable parts of your life, rob
>