Inyo National Forest

Recreational Activities - Mount Whitney Ranger District

10/11/2008

Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center
Visitor Services/Wilderness Permits
Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm/Daily
Junction Highway US 395 & SR136 (1 mile south Lone Pine)
Lone Pine, CA 93545
760-876-6200

Campgrounds

Lone Pine Area

Some Forest Service campgrounds are reservable through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777; family sites 240 days in advance and group sites 360 days in advance.

Fire restrictions are in effect on the Eastern Sierra including the Inyo National Forest.  NO CAMPFIRES or briquette barbeques allowed outside of developed recreation sites and specifically posted campsites or areas, and resorts, pack stations, recreation residences and other sites operated under special use permit with the Forest Service or BLM.  These restrictions suspend open campfires except in designated campgrounds and some developed recreation sites throughout the Inyo National Forest and BLM lands.  Please see our Current Conditions page for the most up-to-date information.

Bears

The largest of the Sierra mammals, the Black Bear is found in and around the Inyo National Forest.  There are an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 Black Bears in California. Bears are located throughout most of California where suitable habitat exists.  Black Bears range in color from blonde to black, with cinnamon brown being the most common color.  Black Bears are omnivores.  A typical wild bear diet consists of berries, plants, nuts, roots, honey, honeycomb, insects, larvae, carrion and small mammals.  As winter approaches, bears will forage for food up to 20 hours a day, storing enough fat to sustain them through winter.  Black bears are wonderful to observe in the wild and we hope you will have a chance to do so while visiting the forest.  Bears in the wild will seek to avoid confrontation with humans.  If encountered, always leave them an escape route.

However, when bears and humans get too close, the result can be disastrous--for you or the bear.  It is important to remember that bears will change their behavior if they become habituated to humans (get used to our presence) which will happen if we crowd them or observe them too closely.  Bears also change their behavior if they obtain human food--even just one time.  They begin to break into cars, tents, and cabins and may become aggressive.  If a bear becomes a safety hazard, they sometimes have to be destroyed by wildlife managers.  Other habituated and food-conditioned bears are killed by cars because they spend more time along roads and in campgrounds.

Camping with Bears

• All food must be stored properly DAY AND NIGHT!!  Store food in containers designed to prevent access by bears or bear-proof lockers (if provided).  Never leave food, toiletries and/or anything with a scent in your tent, sleeping bag or car.  The trunk of your car and coolers are not bear-proof!

• Check for local regulations and recommendation regarding bears.

• Clean everything after preparing a meal.

• Dispose of garbage properly.  If a bear-proof dumpster is not available, store your garbage in bear-proof lockers often provided at campgrounds, until it can be disposed of properly.

• Report all bear incidents.

Dispersed Camping

Dispersed primitive camping is tent or self-contained RV camping in undeveloped areas. Visitors may access camping points along any public dirt road within BLM or Forest Service property. Campsites should be 2 miles outside of any established campground, recreation area, wilderness area, or town limits. Dispersed camping is not permitted along Whitney Portal or Onion Valley roads. A California Campfire Permit is required for the use of a cook stove. These permits are free and available at Visitor Centers. Please be extremely careful with stoves, fires, and cigarettes. Be aware that we do have black bears in the Lone Pine and Independence areas, and that proper food storage is necessary. Please take measures to minimize food smells and its visibility.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in recreation areas unless posted. They must be on a leash when in a developed site.  Including your pet on a travel trip can enhance enjoyment of the experience for both parties!  As you are packing up for your hike, camping trip, or other outing, please consider what would happen if you became separated from your dog.  Be sure to have accurate identification on its collar, and consider obtaining a microchip in case its collar is lost.

Don’t forget your dog should be in good physical condition for forest adventures.  If your dog hasn't walked anywhere but in your yard or around the block lately, it will need to adjust to the altitude, the physical effects of extra exercise and walking on rocky trails.  Dogs can injure their sensitive paws and become unable to walk while hiking long distances.  Be aware of the distance from your vehicle, and consider whether you could carry your dog back to your starting point if it couldn't walk.

Roads

Major Eastern Sierra roads are open. California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) maintains and operates the State Highways around and within the Inyo National Forest. Trans Sierra roads - SR 120 (Tioga Pass), SR 108 (Sonora Pass) and SR 4 (Ebbets Pass) are open. Slow for the Cone Zone, while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones. Call 1-800-427-ROAD (1-800-427-7623), or visit the website at www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo, for California highway conditions and construction schedules. For Nevada roads, call 1-877-NVROADS (1-877-687-6237) or visit the web at www.nevadadot.com/traveler/roads.

Ranger District Roads:  Getting around on roads in the forest is different from driving on streets or highways. Most forest roads are narrow, steep and winding with safe travel speeds averaging 25 mph on paved roads. Safe travel on gravel and dirt roads can be slower. Use caution and be alert to rough road conditions. Drivers may encounter rocks or logs on these roads.

Hiking and Backpacking

Hikers and backpackers should be prepared for sudden weather changes.  Watch for lightning, which can occur with thunderstorms. Sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent are a must! Be Bear Aware when parking at trailheads – cars must not be left with any food, or related items that will attract these animals and result in significant damage to the vehicle.

Hikers should be aware; hunting season for mammals and upland game birds is open in many locations in the Inyo National Forest.  In areas open to hunting, it’s a good idea to wear brightly colored clothes and stay on the trails.

Bears (and other hungry animals, including marmots) are active in the backcountry. Backpackers should be prepared to protect their food (and all other items that emit odors) from such animals at all times! Backpackers are required to use containers designed to prevent access by bears on many trails of the Inyo National Forest and some Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park trails. They are available to rent at many locations.

Trail Conditions

BIGHORN SHEEP RESTRICTED AREAS

California Bighorn Sheep Zoological Area
Visitors entering or passing near California Bighorn Sheep Zoological Areas should be aware of restrictions created to protect these endangered animals; if you are accessing Baxter Pass, Sawmill, Shepherd Pass, Golden Trout, or George Creek/Mt. Williamson trails, these restrictions may affect your trip.  With Forest Order # 04-02-07, "possessing, transporting, or storing domestic goats" in established California Bighorn Sheep Zoological Areas is prohibited.  In addition, Forest Order # 04-81-03 prohibits possession, transportation, or allowing entrance of dogs in these areas.

Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Habitat
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Habitat may affect visitors traveling on or near, Taboose, Meysan Lake, Cottonwood Lakes and Tuttle Creek trails, per Forest Order No. 04-02-08, which states: "dogs must be under immediate verbal or physical control of their owners at all times."

Message from the Mt. Whitney Rangers

At 14,496 feet elevation, Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 states. The peak and the trails that approach it lie within the John Muir and Sequoia National Park Wilderness Areas. In contrast to areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, wilderness areas are places where the earth and its communities of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. These areas were set aside by Congress and the President to provide opportunities for solitude and unconfined, primitive types of recreation.

Mt. Whitney is an extremely popular wilderness destination.  To preserve its wilderness character, all who choose to visit must also choose to adhere to the highest ethical standards.  Mt. Whitney visitors should always practice Leave-No-Trace and always pack-out their solid human waste.

Although this can be a beautiful time of year to climb Mt. Whitney, please remember conditions may quickly change. Storms may be severe and may include freezing temperatures, extreme wind and heavy precipitation. Even on a sunny day, do not be surprised to encounter treacherous trail conditions. Be prepared for any kind of weather, regardless of the forecast. Safety is your responsibility! You must recognize and mitigate all hazards. Failure to do so may result in serious injury and/or death. You may encounter conditions that exceed your abilities. Know your limits. Every year people become sick or injured while climbing Mt. Whitney.  Most such incidents are avoidable.

Thank you and enjoy your visit to Mt. Whitney,
Mt. Whitney Wilderness Rangers

Permits & Passes

Year-round, everybody in the Mt. Whitney Zone must possess a valid wilderness permit for day and overnight trips (including the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek). Permits are issued only at the InterAgency Visitor Center, 1 mile south of Lone Pine, CA on Highway 395.

From May 1 to November 1, quotas limit the number of people that may visit the area. Permits for the quota period may be reserved in advance. Most permits for the Mt. Whitney Trail are reserved in February, during the Mt. Whitney Lottery.

Visit our Wilderness Permits & Reservations page for more information about Inyo National Forest Wilderness Permits.

Managing Your Human Waste at Mt. Whitney

All Mt. Whitney visitors must pack-out their solid human waste. Packing-out solid waste helps maintain wilderness character and protects public health and safety. Pack-out kits are available at the InterAgency Visitors Center, south of Lone Pine.

This year, visitors have packed out about 2 tons of human waste! Every day more waste is packed out.

To the visitors who help out in ever increasing numbers, THANK YOU!!!

Follow this link for more information about Pack-It-Out.

Leave No Trace at Mt. Whitney

Visitors who choose to visit an area as popular as Mt. Whitney must also choose to Leave-No-Trace. If you can’t state all seven Leave-No-Trace principles, then you're not ready for Mt. Whitney.

Follow this link to learn how to Leave-No-Trace at Mt. Whitney.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Careful planning and preparation are essential for a safe and successful trip to Mt. Whitney. Also, well prepared visitors are much more likely to protect and preserve the areas that they visit.

Planning and preparation should begin at home, not at the trailhead. Follow this link for more information about trip planning.

Bears and Proper Food Storage

From May 1st to November 1st, all food, trash, toiletries and scented items must be stored in containers designed to prevent access by bears. Hanging food from trees is unacceptable and ineffective.

Day-hikers do not need to carry a bear-proof canister, but food must remain in their possession of at all times.

At Whitney Portal, all food, trash, toiletries and coolers must be removed from your vehicle and stored in bear-proof lockers. Failure to comply may result in extensive damage to your vehicle.

At Whitney Portal, all food, trash and toiletries must be removed from your vehicle and stored in bear-proof lockers.

Follow this link for more information about bears and food storage.

Fishing

The general fishing season is open in the Eastern Sierra and its waters are stocked regularly by the California Department of Fish and Game.  The 2008 Eastern Sierra Fishing Guide is now available at sporting good stores throughout the region. Copies of California fishing regulations are available at the Visitor Center, many sporting good stores, or visit the web site www.dfg.ca.gov

Hunting

Hunting is permitted throughout the Inyo National Forest during hunting seasons designated by the California State Department of Fish and Game.  Hunters should keep in mind that many people use forest land for other types of sports; it’s much safer to avoid hunting near developed sites, roads and trails.  Hunting is prohibited in the National Parks. 

Hunting is not permitted in those areas where the discharge of firearms is prohibited by County Ordinance, State law, or Federal regulations and hunters must follow all laws, including no hunting within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area.  A California hunting license is required for any person taking birds or mammals.  Hunters must carry licenses and be prepared to show them on request.  Copies of California hunting regulations are available at the Visitor Center, many sporting good stores, or visit the web site www.dfg.ca.gov.

2008 Deer Hunting

Links To Deer Hunt Zone Maps
                        X 9 B:  www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/docs/maps/x9b.pdf
                        X 9 C:  www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/docs/maps/x9c.pdf
                          X10:  www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/docs/maps/x10.pdf
         Buck Hunt X10:  www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/docs/maps/gen38_300.pdf

2008 Upland Birds