SECTION 2 Parking Lot to the North Forkof Lone Pine Creek Distance. 0.9 mile Leaving the parking lot, head north to the sign pointing to the trailhead; you will pass large information plaques and a handy scale to weigh your pack. The sandy trail begins by heading north, with a couple of quick switchbacks. After crossing a small creek, you emerge onto a dry, sandy slope. After about 0.3 mile, you complete an east-trending switchback and begin a long, westward traverse along the south side of the canyon. Climbing gently, you cross this open slope, which is dotted with drought-tolerant shrubs and sports an understory of colorful flowers in spring and early summer.

Along the way, you cross several small trickles, which might make for short sections of a muddy trail. Nearby, watch for patches of rose thickets to the side of the trail. In the distance is a collection of pinnacles the Sierra Crest just south of Mount Whitney. Some distance below are the tips of the pine and fir trees growing in the Whitney Portal parking lot. Just before you cross the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, a sign points right (northwest) to the use trail that hikers and climbers take to access the east face of Mount Whitney and the Mountaineers Route--not your goal today. You stay on the main trail, crossing the creek on large boulders or possibly getting your feet wet during the highest flows. On the return trip, you''ll appreciate the soft sand underfoot along this stretch of trail. HINT: Your feet may start to develop blisters along this long stretch of switchbacks.

If you feel rubbing, stop promptly to apply blister bandages or sports tape. Stopping for 5 minutes now will save you time later. SECTION 2 North Fork of Lone Pine Creek to the Lone Pine Lake Junction Distance. 1.9 miles (2.8 miles total) After crossing the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek, sidle around to the head of the canyon, and climb a long series of switchbacks. They are well graded, and the trail is sandy with few protruding rocks; if you''re doing the one-day hike, this is straightforwardwalking in the dark. The slope begins under a tree cover of Jeffrey pines and white fir and then emerges onto a drier slope of chaparral plants.

Higher still, some of the larger shrubs disappear, and the slope is covered with a variety of short shrubs and flowers. Near the end of this climb, the trail veers toward Lone Pine Creek and passes vegetation that requires moister soils--these plants tend to have bigger, thinner leaves. Because this entire stretch oftrail is on a single slope with no stream crossings and no junctions, it can feel rather endless; if it is light out, focus on the changes in vegetation and the changing view down-canyon to remind yourself that you are indeed making progress. Just past one open patch with a small meadow and a cluster of lodgepole pines, you reach the Lone Pine Creek crossing. A series of raised logs allows you to traverse the broad crossing easily, although during the highest flows you may get wet while approaching these logs. Beyond the stream, you switchback briefly up through lodgepole pine forest and promptly reach the signed Lone Pine Lake junction. Heading left (east) leads to the round lake, perched on the edge of the long drop-off to Whitney Portal. The Mount Whitney Trail continues up to the right (southwest).

HINT: The table below indicates easy locations to refill water bottles along the trail. As long as you are carrying a water purification device, there is no need to carry much water until you reach Trail Camp; you can refill your bottles every 1-2 miles. North Fork of Lone Pine Creek - 0.9 miles Lone Pine Creek crossing - 2.7 miles Outpost Camp - 3.8 Mirror Lake - 4.2 Trailside Meadow - 5.1 Crossing Above Trailside Meadow - 5.

6 Trail Camp - 6.1 Spring Above Trail Camp (seasonal) - 6.3.