Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney
Itinerary
Onion Valley Trailhead
8.5 mi • 2,600 ft gain
Vidette Meadow
10 mi • 3,600 ft gain
2nd lake after Forester Pass
14.5 mi • 2,100 ft gain
Guitar Lake
15.6 mi • 4,000 ft gain
Whitney Portal Trailhead
How to get a permit
This trip requires a Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit. Reservations depend on your start date:
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Nov 2, 2023 – Apr 30, 2024
Unlimited number of permits available.1 option
A
Online reservations
| Opens | 2 weeks ahead | 7 AM PT |
|---|---|---|
| Closes | Day of | 11:59 PM PT |
Last-minute release: 2 weeks ahead at 7 AM PT
Don’t want to miss the deadline?
Let us know when you want to go and we’ll remind you to book.
Permit details
Here is how to fill out the Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permit application:
| Permit Type | Overnight Exiting Mt Whitney |
|---|---|
| Entry Point | Kearsarge Pass |
| Exit Point | Mt. Whitney (Trail Crest Exit) |
| 1st night Camp Area | SEKI - Center Basin - Vidette |