Mt. Whitney Day Permit: Quota, Dates and Route
Mt. Whitney Day permits get cancelled and re-released through the season in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and they are drawn by lottery to begin with. The route covers 21.4 miles.
This guide covers the Mt. Whitney permit.
100 people/day, no published rate
Lottery Odds
100
People Per Day
$15
Permit Cost
12-18 hours
Duration
21.4 miles
Distance
About Mt. Whitney Day
Climb the highest peak in the contiguous United States (14,505 ft). The main Whitney Trail is highly competitive.
The Mt. Whitney Day route
- Distance
- 21.4 miles
- Route type
- out-and-back
- High point
- 14,505 ft
- Low point
- 8,360 ft
- Trip length
- 12-18 hours
- Difficulty
- strenuous
Starts at Whitney Portal
Sierra Nevada. Nearest town: Lone Pine
Points along the route
- Whitney PortalMile 0, 8,360 ft
- Lone Pine LakeMile 2.8, 9,954 ft
- Outpost CampMile 3.5, 10,376 ft
- Mirror LakeMile 5, 10,667 ft
- Trail CampMile 6, 12,017 ft
- 99 SwitchbacksMile 6.5
- Trail CrestMile 8.5, 13,600 ft
- The WindowsMile 9.5
- SummitMile 10.7, 14,505 ft
Mt. Whitney Day permit detailsandAll Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks permits
Get Mt. Whitney Day Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
Pro Tips
Apply for multiple dates inside the Feb 1 to Mar 1 window
Watch April 22, when unclaimed dates open for web reservation
Monitor cancellations
Consider 'Whitney-from-the-side' routes via other permits
Submit only one application per group or household — Inyo may reject all of them otherwise
Claim and pay by April 21 or the awarded reservation is cancelled outright
Sleep at altitude in the Lone Pine area first — Inyo's own safety message is to take time to acclimate
Take the pack-out kit at the trailhead and use the disposal box by the restroom on the way out
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Mt. Whitney Day permit?
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Two ways. Cancelled Mt. Whitney Day permits return to the booking system through the season, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The other way is the lottery, so apply during the application window as well.
When is the best time to visit Mt. Whitney Day?
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Mid-July through mid-September offers the most reliable conditions. June may have snow on the 99 Switchbacks requiring ice axe and crampons. Late September can see early season snow. Weekday permits are easier to obtain than weekends.
How long is the Mt. Whitney Day route?
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The route is 21.4 miles, as an out-and-back. Plan on 12-18 hours.
How difficult is the Mt. Whitney Day route?
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Well-conditioned hikers experienced with high altitude and very long days. Must be comfortable with significant elevation and 12+ hours of continuous hiking.
Where does the Mt. Whitney Day route start?
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Whitney Portal.
What if I don't win the Mt. Whitney Day lottery?
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Cancelled permits return to the booking system through the season. PermitSnag watches Mt. Whitney Day and alerts you when one opens, so a lost draw is not the end of the trip.
Don't Miss Your Mt. Whitney Day Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Mt. Whitney Day availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit AlertsTrip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
- Best Backpacking in Sequoia & Kings CanyonNine backpacking trips in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, the wilderness permit each one needs, the daily quota that governs it, and the season it sells in.
- How Wilderness Permits Are BookedSix ways a US wilderness permit is actually sold, from a single dated entry to a river launch to a night-by-night itinerary, and why the difference matters.
- Cancellation Hunting: A Complete GuideEverything you need to know about finding and booking cancelled permits. When to look, what to watch for, and how to act fast.
- How to Win Permit Lotteries: Real StrategiesStrategies for improving your permit lottery odds: timing, flexibility, and the techniques that actually work, drawn from thousands of lottery results.
- JMT vs PCT Permits ComparedPlanning a long Sierra hike? John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail permit systems, quotas and strategies compared, and which route suits you better.
