Mount Whitney
A permit lottery for the 22-mile hike. Most see it from Whitney Portal.
The Eastern Sierra and Mount Whitney
Highway 395 along the Sierra's wall, past the highest peak in the lower 48, Mono Lake's towers and Mammoth Lakes.
Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet, needs a permit to climb. Follow 395 north through the Alabama Hills, past Manzanar's Japanese American internment camp, to Mammoth Lakes and Devils Postpile, the Bristlecones and Mono Lake's strange tufa towers. It's among the great road trips in California.
- Best Time
- June–October
- Time Needed
- 3–5 days
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Check before you go; hours vary by season
- Getting There
- About four hours by car north of Los Angeles.
What to See
2 of 5 are freeAlabama Hills
Rocky arches and old movie sets, with Whitney behind.
Manzanar National Historic Site
A Japanese American camp from WWII, told plainly.
Mammoth Lakes and Devils Postpile
Skiing, and strange basalt columns.
Mono Lake and Bodie
Tufa towers and a real gold rush ghost town.
Know Before You Go
- Many Sierra passes close in winter, including Tioga.
Where to Stay
Stay in Lone Pine, Bishop or Mammoth Lakes.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
Editor's picks. Nobody paid to be on this list.
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Traveler Reviews
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Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the California list.