Mt Whitney Zone Forums Thread Like Summary - Williamson to Whitney High Country Route

Hello all,

I have experience climbing class 3 14ers in Colorado and doing high-country backpacking trips off trail. So I am planning a trip later this year and wanted to tap the collective knowledge of this group to see how doable this route would be. Obviously, doing both Williamson and Whitney will be difficult especially going George creek and multiple passes. But so far, everything I've seen is that this would be doable without ropes or any climbing gear. But I want to make sure and get some input.


https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13...kId=479750da-8ea2-4166-9720-0dffa75a5211

If the group thinks this is impassable or just a very bad idea, I'd love some input on alternatives as someone who hasn't hike the sierra's.

Thank you in advance.

You wouldn't need any special climbing gear as the route you are suggesting tops out at 3rd class. The topo you posted has a different route up to Williamson from George Creek than is typical. The George Creek approach comes up from the drainage on the southeast. George Creek is a very difficult approach even if you have that high sierra cardio going -- would suggest spending a lot of time studying that part of the route. You should also climb Tyndall since you'll be in the area and it's a real pain to get back there! I would also consider any or all of the dinner plate peaks (Tunnabora, Carillon, Russell, Morgenson, Cleaver) as you pass through!

I was worried about crowds on JMT/PCT and was trying to avoid them by going high country but I am just going to embrace it. After a year of deliberation and great input from this group, I decided to ease up the route substantially since it is a new range for me and I'll be going solo. Same goals but taking the 'easy' route. Shepherds pass down to JMT then exiting Whitney on the standard route. I really wanted to do Mountaineer route but looks like people advise rope on it. It'll be almost 20 miles more but I think it'll actually be easier on the legs and definitely on the ankles. I'm thinking 4 or 5 nights. Might camp 5ht night at outpost on the way out to just squeeze another night in instead of exiting.

So the question I have now is does anybody have campsite recommendations for this route? Looks like there's a ton and when I do the permit application process it asks for me to pick one each night. Do I have to stay at the campsite I pick even if I'm say way ahead of schedule or obviously if I am behind? Or is it just a rough schedule so they know the route I am taking? Sorry for the Sierra noob questions. Really thankful for this forum.

https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=11...kId=eaaef0ac-fb42-4e65-aacc-bf8dd1e61f63