The highest elevation in California is Mount Whitney, located in Sequoia National Park. Mount Whitney reaches 14,505 feet in elevation. The tallest U.S. peak outside Alaska, Mount Whitney is a popular destination for highpointers, people who try to visit the highest point in every state and around the world.

How do I get to Mount Whitney?

Nestled amongst impassable Sierras, getting to Mount Whitney is a bit of a drive. You have to go around the mountains to get there, especially if you’re coming from the north. But the drive boasts some of California’s most scenic mountain views, so you won’t be disappointed.

Getting to Mount Whitney will depend on where you’re driving from—but if you’re starting in Los Angeles, for example, this is the route you’d take:

Get on i5 north

Take exit 162 to get on i14 through Lancaster

Merge on to the 395 in Bradys and continue north

Drive until you hit Lone Pine and take a left on Whitney Portal Rd.

Continue on Whitney Portal Rd. for the Lone Pine and Whitney Portal campgrounds.

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The 7 best California road trips

Things to do around Mount Whitney

If you’re serious about climbing Mount Whitney you’ll need a permit. Mount Whitney is considered a strenuous climb, and while not a technical climb at any point, the Mount Whitney trail gains over 6,200 feet of elevation and takes over 11 hours to complete on average.

It’s also important that you time your trip correctly. Once the mountain starts to collect ice and snow, the climb becomes a lot more difficult. The best time to climb the Mount Whitney Trail is from April to October.

You can view permit information and plan your visit to the Mount Whitney Trail on the

USDA Forest Service Website

For a less strenuous climb, you can hike 5 to 6 miles round trip to Lone Pine Lake without a permit. Enjoy a view of Mount Whitney’s stunning granite spires from the lake without a 2-day hike.

What city has the highest elevation in California?

The town with the highest elevation in California is Mammoth Lakes, about 2 hours from Mount Whitney.

Mammoth Lakes comes in at a little over half of Mount Whitney’s elevation, reaching 7,881 feet above sea level.

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