Mount Whitney Lottery

The tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, excluding Alaska, is Mount Whitney, nestled in California's Sierra Nevada. I have made five attempts to summit it, with three successful ascents. It's an awe-inspiring and demanding trek, earning notable recognition for those who conquer it.

Due to an overwhelming number of visitors, permit access to Mount Whitney was restricted many years ago, making these permits highly sought after and tough to secure. In this week's newsletter, I will explain how to enter the lottery for a permit. February is the exclusive window for entering the lottery, which is why I am discussing it now.

There are three trails that lead hikers to the summit of Mount Whitney. Most climbers choose the Mount Whitney trail. The hike covers a total of 22 miles round trip and involves an elevation gain of over 6,200 feet.

While elite hikers can summit in a single day, many prefer to spread the hike over two to four days. It's important to decide how long you plan to stay and how many people will join you when you apply for the permit lottery. Here are the necessary steps to follow:

1. 1. Sign up for an account at Recreation.gov . This step is free and serves as a gateway to permits for various public lands. It's quite straightforward.
2. 2. Navigate to the 'permits' section and search for Mount Whitney
3. 3. Select the option to 'Register for the open lottery.'
4. 4. Complete the application form. This is where you will need to specify your intended dates, group size, and alternate leaders. There is a $15 fee to participate, which can be paid by credit card.
5. 5. Wait until around March 15 for the lottery results. If you are selected, additional fees will apply.

The alternate leader part can be tricky. Avoid the temptation to recruit friends who have no real intention of climbing to enter and name you as an alternate leader. I made that mistake last year and none of those individuals were successful. I’ve heard that the system flags this kind of behavior and disqualifies entries with alternate leaders who have separate applications, regardless of differing dates. It’s best to be honest and only include individuals who genuinely plan to go and are not already applying, even as an alternate on someone else's application.

Earlier, I mentioned there are alternative routes to reach the summit of Mount Whitney. One such option is called the Mountaineers Route. This path is shorter but steeper, diverging from the main trail a few miles in. Beyond this juncture, it’s more of a path than a traditional trail. In the early 90s, I attempted this route with my group, but we encountered difficulties due to getting lost and altitude sickness. If you choose this route, it’s essential to have someone knowledgeable about the path leading your group.

You will still need a permit to use this route, but the process is different. You can apply through Recreation.gov for an Inyo National Forest Permit and select 'North Fork of Lone Pine Creek.' The Mountaineers Route follows this creek for part of the journey. For this permit, entries are allowed up to six months in advance. You should aim to apply exactly six months ahead of your desired trip date. Be prepared at your computer to submit your application at 6:59 AM Pacific time, precisely six months before.

Another option is the High Sierra Trail. I hiked this breathtaking 72-mile trail over six days in 2022 and detailed my experience across six editions of my newsletter . This route requires yet another different permit. The application process resembles that of the Mountaineers Route; you need to enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, provide your chosen dates and group size, and select 'High Sierra Trail.'

There are also other ways to obtain permits outside of the aforementioned lotteries through cancellation opportunities. This is a separate topic altogether that I won’t elaborate on here. In short, the chances of securing a permit for the Mount Whitney Trail this way are very slim.

It's crucial to note that the window to enter the Mount Whitney lottery for the Mount Whitney trail runs from February 1 to March 1. Essentially, the time to act is now! If my article motivates you to pursue this opportunity and you follow through, I’m confident you’ll be grateful for it later.

Written by: Michael Shackleford