| Page Views: 2,656 Last Visit to Lone Pine: September, 2006 | A small town with a really big mountain by goingsolo - last update: Jun 17, 2007 |
The roof of the Continental U.S. If it weren't for the Alabama Hills rolling gently in a crimson tide and the giant behemoth otherwise known as Whitney towering above, Lone Pine would be just another dusty little blink-and-you'll-miss-it-when-driving-by town. But this couple blocks of fast food restaurants, motels and the like, many of whom bear the name of the mountain in their title, propel the intrepid and/or those who are glutton for punishment or really good burgers, away from the two lane road and up to about 8,000 feet in a series of switchbacks culminating in Whitney Portal.
My journey to Lone Pine was for one purpose, and that was to summit Mount Whitney. My goal accomplished, this page is devoted it it. |
|  | Mt. Whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous or "lower 48" states. For that reason, many venture towards the summit, inspired by the promise of bragging rights or a really tough workout. The most popular way to the top is the 22 mile roundtrip trail which switchbacks into eternity leading to the summit. For those who want a little something different, there's the Mountaineers Route, a shortcut of sorts which ascends 6,000 feet in 6 miles (so they say, but we'll get to that later), the last part scarily almost vertical. Never one to pass up the something different route, I ventured up the Mountaineers route, where "only 6 miles" took on a whole new meaning. In fact, it became the subject of curses and torment when I realized that 6 miles at altitude can make an eternity of switchbacks seem like a pleasant stroll.
Take a peek inside if you'd like to see the route to Whitney's summit, along with a couple of views of the tiny town below. |
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| Pros: | "Mount Whitney" | | Cons: | "Mount Whitney" | | In A Nutshell: | "Mount Whitney" |
goingsolo's Lone Pine Travel Tips
 Comments for goingsolo about Lone Pine | | | | |
johncudw Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:52 UTC
you must have to have good lungs to go up to 14.5 thousand feet. I think theres only 58% or so as much air at that altitude as there is at sea level. | VA_Dave Tue Jun 26, 2007 02:04 UTC
Thanks for the great story and pix! I enter the Whitney lottery every year but never get a slot. :( We did the hikers route in 2001 but the mountaineers route sounds more exciting. | CoAir13 Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:29 UTC
FANTASTIC documentation of your rough, but rewarding hike!! Beautiful pictures!! | NEILHALLIDYA Sun Sep 24, 2006 16:31 UTC
V Interesting account. Well done on the ascent and pages. Reading this makes me realise how lazy I`ve been this last year...too much work! |
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