Discovery Pinnacle via Mount Whitney Trail(edit)

Sights to See

• Mirror Lake
• Whitney Portal Trailhead
• Trail Camp Tarn

Rate this Hike

★★★★★


Temecula Dan 1 year, 1 month ago
Solo hiked Mon 10/21/24 – Got a midnight start with a nearly full moon to see the sunrise from the Whitney summit and it did not disappoint. Nibbled carbs all the way up with water but pushed harder going up Trail Crest than I should have to make the sunrise. Hiked up in a softshell and mid weight gloves but the summit was cold enough with a low wind (18°F on pocket thermo not counting wind chill) to add a down jacket and guide gloves. Once the sun was up, things warmed up nicely and the views were spectacular. Climbed Mt Muir’s summit block next which was the most fun of the day with a class 4 route up and a 3 coming down. Discovery Pinnacle was the last climb of the day, climbing the 2 highest pinnacles since the official pinnacle looked lower than its neighbor and there was enough time for both. I headed down a loose talus slope to rejoin the Whitney Trail right below Trail Crest which was the only real bad decision of the day as it took considerable time and effort to prevent the launch of any rocks downward towards the trail. I should have doubled back on the route ascended but what fun would that have been? Made it down to the 98th switchback before a moment of scree skiing, at which point I realized I was a bit tired for the pace and slowed things down a bit – best decision of the day. Conversed with quite a few people on the way down and made it back to the Portal Campground for some food, a fire and then some sleep. Amazing shoulder season weather not to be taken for granted kept things comfortable and provided awesome views for the entire day. It was less than two weeks ago coming down from Thor with snow, rain and wind on this trail. Logged 21.0 miles / 6669 vertical ft with Gaia
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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OldHPack5934 4 years, 5 months ago
★ ★

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