North Fork Lone Pine Creek Trail

This primitive trail provides access to more challenging climbing routes on Mt. Whitney and Mt. Russell, including the Mountaineers Route, East Face, East Buttress, and Fishhook Arete. North Fork Lone Pine Creek Trail is steep, rugged and difficult to follow. It ends at Iceberg Lake at an elevation of about 12,600 feet. 

Area Map
To purchase maps or guidebooks of the area, visit sierraforever.org 
North Fork Lone Pine Creek Trail Recreation Guide (pdf) 
List of Outfitter Guides permitted for the Mt Whitney area.

Safety Is Your Responsibility! 

Wilderness travel involves an element of risk. Before visiting, develop a plan for dealing with emergencies. Travel with your group at all times. Report emergencies to Inyo County Sheriff at (760)878-0383. It may take up to several days for help to arrive. Searches and Rescues are managed by Inyo County Sheriff and Inyo County SAR, a non-profit volunteer organization.

General Information

Dispose of waste properly.

The only acceptable way to dispose of human waste is to pack it out. Human waste pack-out kits are free with wilderness permits. Each year, Mt. Whitney visitors pack out almost 4 tons of human waste. More...

Store food and trash in bear-proof containers.

All food, food related trash and scented items must be stored in bear-proof containers, or counter balanced from a tree, at least 15 feet above the ground and 10 feet horizontally from the trunk. Counter balancing is difficult, and there are no suitable trees above Lower Boy Scout Lake. More...

Camp in established campsites.

Camp in established campsites or on durable surfaces, such as snow, granite or barren sand and gravel. Established campsites are are near Lower Boy Scout Lake, Upper Boy Scout Lake and Iceberg Lake.

From Lone Pine, CA, travel 13 miles west on Whitney Portal Road. The Mt. Whitney trailhead is located on the north side of the road at Whitney Portal. From the trailhead, walk approximately 1 mile up the Mt. Whitney Trail, to North Fork of Lone Pine Creek. The North Fork trail begins at the creek crossing.

Parking is available at the trailhead. Please minimize the number of vehicles that your group uses.

There is a high level of bear activity at Whitney Portal trailhead. Plan ahead and clean out your vehicle before you arrive. The parking area has bear resistant trash cans and bear-proof lockers for storing food and scented items. Bear boxes are shaired with other visitors so organize your food in a bag or box and mark with your return date. Typical bear box size is 48" x 30" x 36".