Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney
Upcoming
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:
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Trips starting between November 2, 2025 and April 30, 2026
Permits required. No quota.
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 |