Camping at Mount Whitney
- 1). Decide which campground to stay at. Forest campgrounds like Lone Pine, Whitney Portal and Horseshoe Meadow are open during different times of the year and are at different elevations. The Recreation website provides detailed information about the campgrounds and allows advance reservations to be made.
- 2). Check the weather forecast and climate of Mount Whitney. Visiting from June through early October is most popular, because trails are snow-free. The higher elevation you camp at, the colder it will get. Snow, rain and subzero temperatures are not uncommon during summer time. Bring appropriate clothing.
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Make sure your RV can be accommodated.Travel image by CSlade from Fotolia.com
Choose a tent and sleeping bag. Tents come in different sizes, styles and shapes. Sporting goods and survival stores can advise you on tents and sleeping bags to use. RV campers should know that only standard non-electric sites are available. - 4). Pack essentials according to a camping checklist. The Go Camping website provides a checklist of items to bring. Cookware, first aid necessities and other items are mentioned on this list. Know what is already supplied at the campgrounds to avoid overpacking.
- 5). Inquire about obtaining a wilderness permit if you plan on climbing the mountain and using the various hiking trails. Hikes farther than Lone Pine Lake and along the North Fork of Lone Pine creek require permits. Other areas may require permits also. The ranger station and visitor's station will be able to assist you.
- 6). Practice safe food storage. All Mount Whitney campgrounds provide metal food storage containers to deter bears from coming into the campsites.
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Make sure dogs are allowed when going camping.dog image by Michal Tudek from Fotolia.com
Follow camp etiquette. Know the rules of the campground or ask about them when reserving a campsite. For instance, if you plan on bringing your dog, make sure this is allowed. - 8). Plan daily activities ahead of time. Planning out your day ahead of time will prevent boredom, especially when camping with kids.
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