Mt Whitney & Sequoia National Park 

Mt Whitney is the highest summit (14496 ft)  in the lower 48 states.  Most of the mountain lies within the Sequoia National Park.  The portal to mountain is through the Inyo National Forest.  The portal reaches 8200 ft level and it is about a 3 day hike to the peak and back.  (This is one of the early hikes that I accomplished when I was in my twenties.)  Even if you are not able to hike to the top, the views from the portal are spectacular.    If hiking is your avocation, you may use this portal as the eastern entrance to Sequoia National Park.  To get to Mt Whitney Portal drive through Death Valley and continue on California route 190 until it forks at route 136.   This route will take you to little town of  Lone Pine.  Take US 395 north to the center of Lone Pine where you will you will find Whitney Portal Rd.  This road climbs through outstanding scenery to the Portal.  The drive from Las Vegas is about  6 hours one way.  Lone Pine has a series of motels and restaurants and while there you can purchase hiking and fishing gear.   

Other Trips On-The-Way