Trail Crest is Guitar Lake. As you can see to in the upper right photo, the lake is well
named. Guitar Lake resides in Sequoia National Park at 11,600 feet (2,100 feet
below Trail Crest). The Great Western Divide keeps the Trail Crest
visitor from viewing the portion of Sequoia National Park that contains the Giant
Trees that people from all over the world come to see. I have been on the western
side of Sequoia many times, and now and then I have folks ask me if Mt Whitney
can be seen from there. Certainly one of the most beautiful panoramic views
anywhere, is of the Great Western Divide near Tawny Point. But it is this divide that
blocks the visitor on the west side of the National Park from seeing Mt. Whitney.
If you have the time and skills there are several interesting side trips that you can do
which are located near Trail Crest. The Trail Guide section of this site on Mt
Whitney describes probably the most interesting side trip, and that is the climb up
Mt Muir. It is only a few hundred vertical feet off and above the main trail, and the
side trip is an excellent way of bagging another California 14er if you are interested.
There is also some interesting bouldering in the area. The photo to the right shows a
couple of scramblers having some fun on one of the rock outcroppings near the main
trail. But as mentioned above, if you do wander off the trail there is risk involved. So
if you have any doubt about the safety of any extra curricular activity, it would be
best to skip it.
The path will now continue north along the western slope of Mt Whitney and it
won't be long before you will be standing on the Summit of Mt Whitney!
named. Guitar Lake resides in Sequoia National Park at 11,600 feet (2,100 feet
below Trail Crest). The Great Western Divide keeps the Trail Crest
visitor from viewing the portion of Sequoia National Park that contains the Giant
Trees that people from all over the world come to see. I have been on the western
side of Sequoia many times, and now and then I have folks ask me if Mt Whitney
can be seen from there. Certainly one of the most beautiful panoramic views
anywhere, is of the Great Western Divide near Tawny Point. But it is this divide that
blocks the visitor on the west side of the National Park from seeing Mt. Whitney.
If you have the time and skills there are several interesting side trips that you can do
which are located near Trail Crest. The Trail Guide section of this site on Mt
Whitney describes probably the most interesting side trip, and that is the climb up
Mt Muir. It is only a few hundred vertical feet off and above the main trail, and the
side trip is an excellent way of bagging another California 14er if you are interested.
There is also some interesting bouldering in the area. The photo to the right shows a
couple of scramblers having some fun on one of the rock outcroppings near the main
trail. But as mentioned above, if you do wander off the trail there is risk involved. So
if you have any doubt about the safety of any extra curricular activity, it would be
best to skip it.
The path will now continue north along the western slope of Mt Whitney and it
won't be long before you will be standing on the Summit of Mt Whitney!
Mt Whitney - Trail Crest timberlinetrails.net
Whitney Links
Base Camp
Getting Started
Trailhead
Trail Guide
High Camp
Trail Crest
East Face Route
Summit
Aerial View
Whitney Video
Whitney Slideshow
Current Weather
For more on the Sierra
Nevada. Click Here.
Photo Gallery Sierra range.
Click Here.
Base Camp
Getting Started
Trailhead
Trail Guide
High Camp
Trail Crest
East Face Route
Summit
Aerial View
Whitney Video
Whitney Slideshow
Current Weather
For more on the Sierra
Nevada. Click Here.
Photo Gallery Sierra range.
Click Here.
Click Here to Watch our Mt Whitney Video
For More Photos &Further Information On Mt Whitney Please Check Out The Below Links
Base Camp Getting Started Trailhead Trail Guide
High Camp East Face Route Summit Aerial View
Whitney Slide Show
For Additional peaks and information on the Sierra Nevada. Click HERE.
For a Photo Gallery featuring the Sierra range. Click HERE.
Or if you are looking for answers to the deeper things in life, try the Ultimate Journey
Base Camp Getting Started Trailhead Trail Guide
High Camp East Face Route Summit Aerial View
Whitney Slide Show
For Additional peaks and information on the Sierra Nevada. Click HERE.
For a Photo Gallery featuring the Sierra range. Click HERE.
Or if you are looking for answers to the deeper things in life, try the Ultimate Journey
Mt Whitney Trail Crest is arguably the most spectacular vantage point of the entire Mt Whitney Trail. It is the perfect place to
take that well deserved break after having negotiating all those switchbacks that lie between Trail Camp and Trail Crest. The only
take that well deserved break after having negotiating all those switchbacks that lie between Trail Camp and Trail Crest. The only
obstacle between the above
two points is the cables
section shown to the left
during early season. Snow
and ice have a way of
collecting in this area and
care needs to be taken so as
not to slip. In the right hand
photo you see hikers
negotiating this section of
the trail. The cables provide
a good handrail of sorts but
during the spring months
two points is the cables
section shown to the left
during early season. Snow
and ice have a way of
collecting in this area and
care needs to be taken so as
not to slip. In the right hand
photo you see hikers
negotiating this section of
the trail. The cables provide
a good handrail of sorts but
during the spring months
The Great Western Divide, which is due west from the crest, is just part of the scenery along the final 2.8 miles of the trail. The
Sierra Nevada Mountains above 13,000 become a land of rock and ice. Fantastic columns of sheer granite make for incredible
sights as you continue toward the summit of Mt Whitney. Some people worry about falling on the backside of Whitney, but even
though the views can be very airy the trail is plenty wide and you would have to wander off the beaten path in order to put yourself
in any danger. The below photo shows a party of hikers who have wandered off the trail in order to get a spectacular photo. If you
Sierra Nevada Mountains above 13,000 become a land of rock and ice. Fantastic columns of sheer granite make for incredible
sights as you continue toward the summit of Mt Whitney. Some people worry about falling on the backside of Whitney, but even
though the views can be very airy the trail is plenty wide and you would have to wander off the beaten path in order to put yourself
in any danger. The below photo shows a party of hikers who have wandered off the trail in order to get a spectacular photo. If you
crampons and ice ax may be
needed. The trail now crosses the
summit ridge and enters into
Sequoia National Park. Once you
have gained the crest you will have
completed 8.2 miles from the
trailhead and you will be standing
at 13,700 feet above sea level.
Once there it will seem like you are
standing on top of the world.
needed. The trail now crosses the
summit ridge and enters into
Sequoia National Park. Once you
have gained the crest you will have
completed 8.2 miles from the
trailhead and you will be standing
at 13,700 feet above sea level.
Once there it will seem like you are
standing on top of the world.
or your party
should decide to
do this, then care
must be taken in
order to be safe.
The hiker at the
end of the
column is
hanging his legs
off the side of a
sheer granite
wall that falls
away a couple of
thousand feet
into Sequoia
National Park.
Above right is a
reflection of
Hitchcock
Mountain in
Hitchcock Lake.
Probably the
most famous
lake view from
should decide to
do this, then care
must be taken in
order to be safe.
The hiker at the
end of the
column is
hanging his legs
off the side of a
sheer granite
wall that falls
away a couple of
thousand feet
into Sequoia
National Park.
Above right is a
reflection of
Hitchcock
Mountain in
Hitchcock Lake.
Probably the
most famous
lake view from