As a further guarantee that I'd make it to the top, Marshall and I got an early start from Camp 4 at Guitar lake. While the rest of the gang slept, we escaped up the trail toward the summit. The vertical climb and total distance were daunting. But this was the best way to maximize success all around. Views westward during the early morning light were eerily spectacular.
It took some four hours to make it up Whitney's backside switchbacks to Trail Crest where the spur trail to Whitney summit joined the East-West trail (see map below). We dropped our packs at Trail Crest and took daypacks containing lunch and water to the summit. The trail was well maintained to this point but the spur trail to Whitney Peak was rough in spots. The final 700ft vertical push to the top involved more boulder hopping than trail hiking. The freeze-thaw cycle of the previous winter had taken its toll.
Making it to the top is a near religious experience for the first time hiker. Only two out of seven of us had summited before, so there was a lot of new-found religion in the ranks. We stayed on top for about an hour, ate lunch, admired the spectacular 360deg view, called Mom on the cell phone... just like the pioneers did... then began the descent toward Outpost Camp (Camp 5).
The switchbacks down the East side of Whitney made us appreciate what we had climbed earlier in the day on the back (West) side. Everyone stopped to rest and refresh a bit at the bottom of the famous wall of 100 switchbacks before pushing on the final three miles to Outpost Camp (Camp 5). The trail from Trail Camp at the bottom of the switchbacks to Outpost Camp was well worn but rocky, lots of small jumps down granite steps, and uneven footing.
Outpost Camp was certainly a welcome site. We were exhausted from the day's work but satisfied that we had made it to the top. Dinner was quick as night was closing in. All of us retired early for our last night in the Whitney Wilderness. Outpost Camp provided first class surroundings complete with waterfall, nearby creek, pine forest, and mountains on three sides. From here, the final walk out to trail's end would be only 3.5 easy miles.
Day 5 Trail Map
