Whitney Portal Street connects the Jap Sierra city of Lone Pine with Whitney Portal, the gateway to Mount Whitney.

In a area teeming with scenic drives, Whitney Portal Street continues to be worthy of a prime spot in your bucket record. It’s merely that lovely.

Situated at an elevation of slightly below 8,400 toes, Whitney Portal comprises the trailhead for the epic Mount Whitney path.

However the portal is a vacation spot unto itself as effectively, and you’ll take pleasure in it even when you don’t plan to summit the tallest peak within the decrease 48.

Featured within the Lucille Ball film and within the Humphrey Bogart movie , amongst different movies, Whitney Portal Street is likely one of the and can wow you with its magnificence.

Driving Whitney Portal Street is likely one of the prime , and it’s also a must-do on a when you do the journey when the highway is open.

Planning to drive Whitney Portal Street? Learn on to find what to anticipate on this tremendous scenic drive, plus our ideas for doing the drive!

What Can You Anticipate on the Whitney Portal Drive?
Important Info Concerning the Mount Whitney Portal Street
Map of Whitney Portal Street
Suggestions for Driving Whitney Portal Street in Lone Pine, CA

What Can You Anticipate on the Whitney Portal Drive?

Jaw-dropping vistas that may maintain you spellbound.

From the otherworldly landscapes of the Alabama Hills initially of the drive to the plush wooded canyon at Whitney Portal and the panoramas of the Owens Valley, you will notice a variety of breathtaking views alongside this drive.

Alongside the best way, you may cease to discover, and, in fact, to take quite a few pictures. There’s a lot to see and do on the prime at Whitney Portal as effectively.

Admire the Rock Formations of the Alabama Hills

When you activate to Whitney Portal Street, the rounded rock formations of the Alabama Hills become visible, with the jagged peaks of the mighty Sierra Nevada forming a backdrop for the colourful rocks and hills.

The Alabama Hills are recognized to be house to a whole lot of pure arches, lots of that are named. The rock formations are spectacular, each in form and in dimension, and the world is designated a Nationwide Scenic Space.

For those who plan to mix the Whitney Portal drive with an exploration of this rock-filled wonderland, we now have an in depth article on the various .

Snap a Picture of the Face of Alabama Hills

Even when you don’t plan to cease and discover the Alabama Hills, make a fast cease on Whitney Portal Street to snap a photograph of the Face of Alabama Hills.

Whereas we’re normally not followers of makes an attempt to mark up pure landscapes, we thought the Face of Alabama Hills by some means belonged. And it’s the one painted rock you will notice right here.

Take these Iconic Images of the Street

Earlier than it ascends, Whitney Portal Street stretches straight and lengthy for probably the most half, making straight for the wall of formidable mountains. It’s the stuff of image postcards!

We drove Whitney Portal Street from Lone Pine early within the day, when there was barely any visitors, and we have been capable of snag just a few stunning pictures of the empty highway.

Benefit from the Winding Drive to the Prime

As soon as Whitney Portal Street begins winding up the mountain, you should have panoramic views of the valley beneath and of the looming mountain faces, in flip. There are a variety of switchbacks to barter, so drive with care.

Whereas you’ll want to take plenty of pictures, we propose placing away your digicam or your smartphone and spending a while simply having fun with the gorgeous surroundings as you do the drive. On a superb climate day, the vistas will really depart you awestruck.

Cease at Pullouts for Panoramas over the Valley

To securely take good pictures of the panoramas unfold out beneath you, pull off the highway at a pullout and park. This offers you the possibility to compose your pictures and snap with out movement, and alternatives for the individual driving to understand the views as effectively.

We got here throughout no less than 4 or 5 pullouts on the larger elevations of the drive, so when you miss the primary one, simply maintain going and look ahead to the following one.

Wander round Whitney Portal

As soon as on the prime, get able to stretch your legs and discover! Breathe deep of the mountain air and wander across the small space. With evergreens, picturesque boulders, and the towering granite partitions round you, there may be a lot to admire!

Within the spring, search for wildflowers. We visited in mid July and located some fairly wildflowers by the creek and the waterfall. The pine forests are gorgeous yr spherical.

Preserve your eyes peeled for wildlife and birds. Squirrels and marmots are widespread, however black bear dwell right here as effectively. Watch wildlife from a secure distance and by no means feed wildlife.

Quite a few birds have been noticed at Mount Whitney Portal, so in case you are a birding fanatic, convey your binoculars! We noticed a furry woodpecker and a Northern flicker throughout our go to, in addition to a number of Steller’s jays.

Admire the Lone Pine Creek Waterfall

Lone Pine Creek Falls might be considered proper from the pavement at Whitney Portal: no climbing required! The waterfall might be discovered on the southwest nook of the pavement loop.

You’ll be able to hear the falls manner earlier than they become visible. The tall fundamental cascade tumbles all the way down to the underside in a sequence of falls, creating a fairly scene. After we visited in mid July, the Lone Pine Creek waterfall was nonetheless flowing fairly powerfully.

If you want, you may climb just a few steps up the boulders on the facet to get nearer to the facet of the cascade. However they are often considered completely effectively from the underside, with none climbing or scrambling.

Have a Picnic

If potential, permit for a while to sit down and luxuriate in stunning Whitney Portal after you might be achieved strolling round. There’s a massive picnic space, with a number of picnic tables.

For those who’ve introduced alongside a packed lunch, that is the proper place to sit down down for a bit, eat, and soak within the atmosphere. Keep in mind to go away your desk crumb clear.

Or Eat on the Whitney Portal Retailer

Whitney Portal Retailer (and Cafe) was tremendous busy after we visited. Hearty breakfast choices have been on the menu, and plenty of guests have been tucking in. The pancakes appeared scrumptious, and we have been unhappy we had eaten breakfast earlier than heading out!

Throughout the day they serve well-reviewed burgers and fries, they usually even have quite a lot of drinks on supply.

There’s seating on the patio exterior the shop, so you may benefit from the gorgeous setting whilst you eat. Afterwards, browse the cool souvenirs on the retailer and choose up a memento of your journey to Whitney Portal.

Test Out the Iconic Mount Whitney Path Signal

There’s multiple path to the summit of Mount Whitney, the tallest peak within the contiguous United States. The route from Whitney Portal is a bit beneath 22 miles spherical journey, with an elevation acquire of 6,134 toes.

Whereas some hikers do that epic path as a day hike, many do it as an in a single day backpacking journey. Both manner, you require a allow to hike within the “Whitney Zone.”

Even when you aren’t planning to hike, stopping to take a look at the enduring path is a enjoyable factor to do at Whitney Portal. Snap a photograph of the path signal and stroll via the wood portal.

Stroll a Few Steps Up the Well-known Path!

The Mount Whitney Zone, which requires a allow, doesn’t begin proper firstly of the path, so in case you are feeling a bit adventurous, you may stroll just a few steps alongside the bucket-list path.

Keep in mind you might be at an altitude, so stroll gradual, and don’t enterprise too far, except you might be at Whitney Portal to hike and have correctly ready and acclimated. If you’re ready, you may hike as much as Lone Pine Lake and again with out a allow, about 6.5 miles spherical journey.

The trailhead space provides very good picture ops, with massive picturesque boulders, mature pines, and views of the encircling partitions of granite. We took heaps and plenty of pictures right here, and watched a younger hiker couple begin their trek up the mountain.

Hike the Whitney Portal Nationwide Recreation Path

The Whitney Portal Nationwide Recreation Path connects Lone Pine Campground with Whitney Portal. At 8 miles spherical journey and an elevation change of over 3,000 toes, this path provides a superb excessive elevation problem and is doable as a day hike.

Alongside the path, you should have very good views of Mount Whitney, in addition to the picturesque Alabama Hills and the valley beneath. It may be sizzling in the summertime, however nice within the spring and fall. Hydrate and put on solar safety.

Take pleasure in wildflowers within the spring and the sound of Lone Pine Creek working alongside as you stroll. Search for birds and wildlife within the surrounding vegetation.

No permits are required for the Whitney Portal Nationwide Recreation Path.

Benefit from the Superior Drive Again Right down to Lone Pine!

For those who thought the views going up Whitney Portal Street have been wonderful, you’ll discover the views happening simply as gorgeous, or perhaps a little extra.

It’s simpler to entry the pullouts on the best way down, so we stopped at each single one we noticed. They’re good for having fun with the views in each instructions at leisure: wanting again on the mountains you simply left, and down into the valley beneath.

The panoramas {photograph} higher on a haze-free day, in fact, however they’re spectacular to view even when you do not need a wonderfully clear day.

Important Info Concerning the Mt. Whitney Portal Street

Whitney Portal Street is about 13 miles from finish to finish, and totally paved. On this brief size, it traverses completely different environments, from the desert panorama of the Alabama Hills to the alpine forests of Mount Whitney.

A single lane on both sides, Whitney Portal Street is just not tremendous slender, however can nonetheless induce anxiousness in case you are afraid of heights.

There are quite a few switchbacks because the highway makes its manner up the mountainside, and the climb might be steep at instances. Be careful for blind corners.

After we drove it in the summertime of 2021, Whitney Portal Street appeared very effectively maintained, and we had a easy drive to the highest and again. Pullouts for having fun with the views are typically on the precise.

Past a sure level, Whitney Portal Street is just not maintained (cleared of snow) within the winter. It may be pushed typically from a while in Might till a while in November, actual dates depending on snow accumulations in any given yr.

For those who plan to drive it within the fringe months, analysis to ensure it’s open, to keep away from disappointment. You’ll be able to name the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce, or the USDA Forest Service (Inyo Nationwide Forest) for highway standing info.

Map of Whitney Portal Street

Suggestions for Driving Whitney Portal Street in Lone Pine, CA

Go on a Clear, Vivid Day

Though climate within the mountains can change with little warning, attempt to schedule your drive for a day when the forecast requires clear, dry situations.

Dangerous climate cannot solely spoil the views, however it could actually additionally make the drive exponentially tougher, and unsafe as well.

Regulate the climate while you’re up at Whitney Portal. A few days earlier than we did the drive in mid-July, a thunderstorm drenched the area, inflicting many climbers to desert their trek to the summit and creating poor driving situations.

Drive the Route Throughout Daylight Hours

Except you might be driving up solely to be able to summit Mount Whitney, you’ll want to drive up, and down, throughout daytime, to make the most of the magnificent views.

It’s also a lot simpler to drive the ascent and descent in daylight!

Go in Late Spring or Late Fall for Snow on the Peaks

Go to in late spring, as soon as the snow has melted off the highway, or in late fall, after a snowfall or two, when you want to see the Sierra Nevada peaks dusted with snow (and even lined with snow).

After we visited in excessive summer time, there was not even a speck of snow anyplace. Whereas the surroundings appears to be like spectacular regardless, snow on the peaks does make for iconic pictures.

Anticipate Different Guests

Climbing to the summit of Mount Whitney is on the bucket record of many guests to the Golden State, and the path from Whitney Portal is the preferred route.

Anticipate there to be plenty of different guests at Whitney Portal throughout summer time and early fall. We began early within the day, however discovered that many people had crushed us to the portal.

Be Ready to Watch for a Parking Spot

Parking spots at Whitney Portal might be robust to seek out throughout the summer time (and early fall). Aside from the primary parking zone by the shop and picnic space, there may be an overflow parking zone as effectively.

You’ll have to circle some and be affected person to be able to discover a spot to park. We visited on a weekday morning in the summertime and needed to wait about 10 minutes earlier than a spot opened up.

Go to on a weekday reasonably than the weekend, arrive early (or later within the afternoon), and be ready to attend for a spot to get vacant.

Enable Loads of Time!

You’ll be able to drive Whitney Portal Street in about half-hour to so a technique.

However you’ll want to cease alongside the best way to soak up the views and take pictures, and you’ll positively need to spend a while at stunning Whitney Portal as soon as you might be there.

Enable no less than a few hours, extra when you plan to have a meal on the prime.

For those who plan to hike one of many trails (to Lone Pine Lake or the Whitney Portal Nationwide Recreation Path, or a small a part of the Mount Whitney Path), you’ll, in fact, want much more time.

Costume in Layers

Even when you do the Whitney Portal Street drive in excessive summer time, you’ll want to convey layers. The climate shall be cooler at Whitney Portal than at Lone Pine, plus you by no means know when climate within the mountains will change.

For those who plan to hike, put on sturdy, closed-toed climbing sneakers or boots with good traction, and carry trekking poles when you want additional help.

Don’t Neglect your digicam and binoculars

The surroundings is gorgeous, and you’ll want to take plenty of pictures. We took plenty of smartphone pictures, but additionally used our cameras.

For those who like photographing birds or wildlife, however don’t need to carry a heavy lens when you’re climbing, contemplate a digital digicam with a robust zoom.

We use a small digicam that matches into our jacket pockets: the , which comes with a 30X zoom and Leica lens, and produces nice photos.

For those who take pleasure in chicken or wildlife viewing, convey your binoculars as effectively. We use the compact binoculars.