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- Dec 23, 2013
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This is a backpacking trip I completed with a friend along the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow to the Whitney Portal back in August of 2012. It was an eight day trip of approximately 70 miles from west to east. The trip could easily be done in six or seven days, but we had an extremely short day from Crabtree Meadow to Guitar Lake so that we could take our time and enjoy our surroundings for a day. Our campsites along the route were from west to east: Bearpaw Meadow, Big Arroyo, Moraine Lake, Junction Meadow, Crabtree Meadow, Guitar Lake, and Outpost Camp. The first mile or so we hiked through a Sequoia Grove and forest. Once we opened out into the Kaweah Canyon, we had incredible mountain scenery for the rest of our trip. I only took my Canon Powershot point-and-shoot camera with me on this trip, so the pictures leave a little to be desired, but I'll let them do the talking from this point on.
For you @wsp_scott
![High_Sierra_Trail_01.jpg High_Sierra_Trail_01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63639-d9632546b7e3d53ebfe680277609c8b7.jpg)
Map - West Portion
![High_Sierra_Trail_02.jpg High_Sierra_Trail_02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63640-482612ab5384988cc7a9062b6bcdf67d.jpg)
Map - East Portion
![Whitney_01.jpg Whitney_01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63641-6adaa59892f17fe4f8368b354b9ff3ba.jpg)
Lodgepole Visitor Center - where we picked up our official permit
![Whitney_02.jpg Whitney_02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63642-493541ec879c4d2da72cbe5d62f1ad61.jpg)
Touristy shot near our trailhead. Man, I look young. What the hell happened @Bob?![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![Whitney_03.jpg Whitney_03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63643-1b823dd0969cb831232a95b286f46ec7.jpg)
Mileage marker at trailhead - doesn't include additional mileage for Moraine Lake and the descent to the Whitney Portal.
![Whitney_04.jpg Whitney_04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63644-500fc2890a39ae0ff47e03b8dea69819.jpg)
My backpacking partner and a couple of Sequoias
![Whitney_05.jpg Whitney_05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63645-6d0985a29a584cbf50c9b0bfee40e3e5.jpg)
Popping out above Kaweah Canyon, looking back at Moro Rock
![Whitney_06.jpg Whitney_06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63646-737f79a6fa052c7d4b14d672df3750e4.jpg)
The High Sierras ahead
![Whitney_07.jpg Whitney_07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63647-847ebbda5ee89995c4273834e469a246.jpg)
Beautiful granite
![Whitney_08.jpg Whitney_08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63648-df1c6640b3421198ad94d1db5b838cef.jpg)
Ranger station at Bearpaw Meadow. We camped on our first night just down the trail from here
![Whitney_09.jpg Whitney_09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63649-7e79b5f3df54e5c495ecd52fc3881d8d.jpg)
Morning shot back down the canyon on day two
![Whitney_10.jpg Whitney_10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63650-5225ee45c761fc547c9984cfbbbcf79a.jpg)
View along the High Sierra Trail
![Whitney_11.jpg Whitney_11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63651-633bb8666e47d7971f4b300d66bc0f49.jpg)
Morning shadow along the granite
![Whitney_12.jpg Whitney_12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63652-0fe8847686206ca2e1437c1ef112b1bf.jpg)
Looking back at the trail crossing a granite face
![Whitney_13.jpg Whitney_13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63653-b4bb5d5fd0441bd4006e5f27a3115131.jpg)
Almost too much to take in at this point
![Whitney_14.jpg Whitney_14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63654-30841b2628f1b11a06c266655cffa02c.jpg)
Falls along Hamilton Creek
![Whitney_15.jpg Whitney_15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63655-a8644354d40b6570921015f172efa8b0.jpg)
Spectacular
![Whitney_16.jpg Whitney_16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63656-e4f3ccb8b69f14705fc345e7524338c1.jpg)
Part of Valhalla
![Whitney_17.jpg Whitney_17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63657-2c51ec5a9980ef08e346419e8f303a67.jpg)
Looking down on the first of the Hamilton Lakes
![Whitney_18.jpg Whitney_18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63658-a8f51a3969ec35d1433d526431d4df3e.jpg)
Short tunnel along the trail
![Whitney_19.jpg Whitney_19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63659-7e719f6bdb041850991d0b0927c9081f.jpg)
More Valhalla
![Whitney_20.jpg Whitney_20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63660-dbce3faac4e2a475525ba4a8010492c2.jpg)
Second of the Hamilton Lakes
![Whitney_21.jpg Whitney_21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63661-671e1572f4d87a0342dfe93da898bf62.jpg)
Granite cliffs along Precipice Lake
![Whitney_22.jpg Whitney_22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63662-6df6f763cef7661728182ed8df3f3d77.jpg)
Looking up towards Kaweah Gap
![Whitney_23.jpg Whitney_23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63663-956507a9e0b43f6651685e93666dafed.jpg)
Looking from Kaweah Gap down the Big Arroyo Drainage
![Whitney_24.jpg Whitney_24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63664-c0f76d025c7966c7ff1a613f0f38d316.jpg)
One of the lakes in Nine Lake Basin
![Whitney_25.jpg Whitney_25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63665-cfb25ac6bdbd95678e1672b6bba5b19a.jpg)
Stunning views heading down the drainage towards night two's campsite
![Whitney_26.jpg Whitney_26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63666-767db5b182c2d93082898153d57b1762.jpg)
It's beginning to get long in the day
![Whitney_27.jpg Whitney_27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63667-ff61754e2fd24c353e528c7a5008e5f1.jpg)
Cabin at Big Arroyo. We camped just down the trail from here
![Whitney_28.jpg Whitney_28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63668-76a72967a143d77dee190f34218b5f60.jpg)
Day three and the amazing scenery never stops
![Whitney_29.jpg Whitney_29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63669-fcf441094e0a017012d8b4d7fe2bf1d6.jpg)
Starting to hike up from the Big Arroyo Drainage
![Whitney_30.jpg Whitney_30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63670-c0e07d3892ec34fd3cbc5f47e9f43ba2.jpg)
High mountain scenery
![Whitney_31.jpg Whitney_31.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63671-0a760dc2afe1e7c911fd9dc879b52bcc.jpg)
Looking down the Big Arroyo Drainage towards the Kern River Canyon
![Whitney_32.jpg Whitney_32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63672-0021181ede01252d15e1e0d8e3c5bd82.jpg)
Some pretty meadows along our route too.
![Whitney_33.jpg Whitney_33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63673-39b6f9b3fcccc106b89a5efdf67b5cd0.jpg)
Moraine Lake, our third night's campsite
![Whitney_34.jpg Whitney_34.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63674-936ea0b49bd43bc53e9f2aa68ff5bb81.jpg)
More meadows to begin day four
![Whitney_35.jpg Whitney_35.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63675-04216ab5503daee4184a7ff1f14aff1c.jpg)
Starting our descent down into Kern River Canyon
![Whitney_36.jpg Whitney_36.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63676-e297a0a6043d2eba5840781828427cd5.jpg)
Kern Canyon
![Whitney_37.jpg Whitney_37.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63677-762e7140857effa312c2a6dfd9c92170.jpg)
The Kern River in 2012 - could rock hop across
![Whitney_38.jpg Whitney_38.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63678-ed44d0404525c1c9bc0ebf566d754a64.jpg)
The Kern River in 2017 on my TST trip - over your head deep and raging
![Whitney_39.jpg Whitney_39.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63679-00d764172ca4286d01c8e63895431cd3.jpg)
Making our way up the Kern Canyon
![Whitney_40.jpg Whitney_40.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63680-77ea1d16d0d04e1a02e35d6fb9d9fb04.jpg)
Of course I had to stop and take a soak at the Kern Hot Spring - There is a cement tub that you can fill with hot water in the wooden enclosure behind me.
![Whitney_41.jpg Whitney_41.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63681-314ae89607dc8abab174d8bc1ad30f93.jpg)
More Kern Canyon hiking on our way to night four's campsite at Junction Meadow
![Whitney_42.jpg Whitney_42.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63682-046d90ae53baca35e8ff0c9b489f8789.jpg)
View in the morning for day five
![Whitney_43.jpg Whitney_43.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63683-b6fa4dbbc2de05c919e995c98d6cc320.jpg)
Looking down the Kern Canyon on our way to intersect with the JMT
![Whitney_44.jpg Whitney_44.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63684-f1a4cbb11030f40e360c00adba40dcdb.jpg)
Up above Wallace Creek - looking west
![Whitney_45.jpg Whitney_45.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63686-2de9b7bf9e7dd721756104803aef1f30.jpg)
Heading towards Crabtree Meadow
![Whitney_46.jpg Whitney_46.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63687-1ffaf7113da3e672e27c43ca5e3a38fa.jpg)
Looking back to the west along the JMT
![Whitney_47.jpg Whitney_47.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63688-872635908859a0533334790e5a64f968.jpg)
View from Crabtree Meadow where we camped for our fifth night
![Whitney_48.jpg Whitney_48.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63689-a5192db6bbb7203786d772fb889f6a8d.jpg)
First view of Mount Whitney in the evening from upper Crabtree Meadow
![Whitney_49.jpg Whitney_49.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63690-ae6ad0e4a12e2de1a8adbde768bc1747.jpg)
Morning of day six. Hiking up Whitney Creek towards Guitar Lake
![Whitney_50.jpg Whitney_50.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63691-e1d2234af9bd32e18bc1560c2a5dcafa.jpg)
Mount Whitney
![Whitney_51.jpg Whitney_51.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63692-1b3076da0e18027d359cf743a64a6d5c.jpg)
Guitar Lake - our sixth night campsite
![Whitney_52.jpg Whitney_52.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63693-9b1d9554cfc0c1f88ffc42f5e3903e8a.jpg)
Morning of day seven. I awoke at 2:30 am in order to see the sunrise from the top of Mount Whitney. It was a blue moon so I could hike up the trail in the moonlight. I could see from Trail Crest, all the people hiking up the east side of the Whitney Portal, with their steady stream of headlamps. Only 1.9 miles to go!
![Whitney_53.jpg Whitney_53.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63694-d9a0101bf7ded483a7c1f7089331e1ae.jpg)
The shack on top of Mount Whitney, which I have to myself for the time being
![Whitney_54.jpg Whitney_54.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63695-d02b75cbf16e50bf5606fd7f586cfa91.jpg)
The Scat hand on top of Mount Whitney
![Whitney_57.jpg Whitney_57.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63696-65ab0cbe304b953692b71252879e3391.jpg)
Sunrise on Mount Whitney. Waiting for this to happen I was the coldest I have ever been in my life. The wind was blowing really hard.
![Whitney_56.jpg Whitney_56.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63697-161c61fdb409ffe06091f75ec1470101.jpg)
Blue moon setting to the west
![Whitney_55.jpg Whitney_55.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63698-a5f13dd7c8e077d1882c82adf6c92147.jpg)
A look down the Whitney Portal towards Lone Pine and Owens Valley
![Whitney_58.jpg Whitney_58.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63699-4bf4605e4d7d53712f083d25c6233c35.jpg)
Absolutely Freezing!
Or as I like to say, "Cold Scat!"
![Whitney_59.jpg Whitney_59.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63700-dce00b9652394d56f65ded5313586082.jpg)
View to the south
![Whitney_60.jpg Whitney_60.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63701-e9e706f614fcddc682d8d15f89d15e86.jpg)
View to the west from Mount Whitney
![Whitney_61.jpg Whitney_61.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63702-472da7cbf023025a75754f9b017d3c66.jpg)
Looking down on Murdock Lakes and Guitar Lake, where we camped the night before
![Whitney_62.jpg Whitney_62.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63703-4d6b38e4a958fe3aec013a0bdd80a572.jpg)
Looking south along the ridge towards Trail Crest
![Whitney_63.jpg Whitney_63.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63704-8ab75944eb8bf45e6eec04201b1eb37d.jpg)
Impressive indeed
![Whitney_64.jpg Whitney_64.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63705-022701a3c84a58ff64124ce0685f19e8.jpg)
Heading down towards Outpost Camp
![Whitney_65.jpg Whitney_65.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63706-185bc435424030ca847c2a2ebb3e8162.jpg)
Making our way to night seven's campsite at Outpost Camp
![Whitney_66.jpg Whitney_66.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63707-c89b31e7b3562c64013f7daeb4c69dc8.jpg)
View in the morning of day eight
![Whitney_67.jpg Whitney_67.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63708-9d5502a8a10f7c25a2cf956d5855da76.jpg)
Heading down the Whitney Portal
![Whitney_68.jpg Whitney_68.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63709-7fe7cbae2d16d6f31fac893a9f48e89b.jpg)
View down the portal towards Owens Valley
![Whitney_69.jpg Whitney_69.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63710-71ebd2747b5f63b43d05ef1cfc6c4f3d.jpg)
View back up the canyon
![Whitney_70.jpg Whitney_70.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63711-4bd8a2385382cab60003b3caebbb0af7.jpg)
My pack weighed 46 pounds at trail's end.
![Whitney_71.jpg Whitney_71.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63712-16a9dbb68f7897d9cd3abafd4d444414.jpg)
Bacon cheese burger and fries at the Whitney Portal Store!
![Whitney_72.jpg Whitney_72.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63713-e0a7a8c061a891b89d9e53cfc2de60b3.jpg)
And of course I had to take a trip down to Death Valley and Badwater Basin before heading home.
For you @wsp_scott
![High_Sierra_Trail_01.jpg High_Sierra_Trail_01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63639-d9632546b7e3d53ebfe680277609c8b7.jpg)
Map - West Portion
![High_Sierra_Trail_02.jpg High_Sierra_Trail_02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63640-482612ab5384988cc7a9062b6bcdf67d.jpg)
Map - East Portion
![Whitney_01.jpg Whitney_01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63641-6adaa59892f17fe4f8368b354b9ff3ba.jpg)
Lodgepole Visitor Center - where we picked up our official permit
![Whitney_02.jpg Whitney_02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63642-493541ec879c4d2da72cbe5d62f1ad61.jpg)
Touristy shot near our trailhead. Man, I look young. What the hell happened @Bob?
![Whitney_03.jpg Whitney_03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63643-1b823dd0969cb831232a95b286f46ec7.jpg)
Mileage marker at trailhead - doesn't include additional mileage for Moraine Lake and the descent to the Whitney Portal.
![Whitney_04.jpg Whitney_04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63644-500fc2890a39ae0ff47e03b8dea69819.jpg)
My backpacking partner and a couple of Sequoias
![Whitney_05.jpg Whitney_05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63645-6d0985a29a584cbf50c9b0bfee40e3e5.jpg)
Popping out above Kaweah Canyon, looking back at Moro Rock
![Whitney_06.jpg Whitney_06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63646-737f79a6fa052c7d4b14d672df3750e4.jpg)
The High Sierras ahead
![Whitney_07.jpg Whitney_07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63647-847ebbda5ee89995c4273834e469a246.jpg)
Beautiful granite
![Whitney_08.jpg Whitney_08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63648-df1c6640b3421198ad94d1db5b838cef.jpg)
Ranger station at Bearpaw Meadow. We camped on our first night just down the trail from here
![Whitney_09.jpg Whitney_09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63649-7e79b5f3df54e5c495ecd52fc3881d8d.jpg)
Morning shot back down the canyon on day two
![Whitney_10.jpg Whitney_10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63650-5225ee45c761fc547c9984cfbbbcf79a.jpg)
View along the High Sierra Trail
![Whitney_11.jpg Whitney_11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63651-633bb8666e47d7971f4b300d66bc0f49.jpg)
Morning shadow along the granite
![Whitney_12.jpg Whitney_12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63652-0fe8847686206ca2e1437c1ef112b1bf.jpg)
Looking back at the trail crossing a granite face
![Whitney_13.jpg Whitney_13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63653-b4bb5d5fd0441bd4006e5f27a3115131.jpg)
Almost too much to take in at this point
![Whitney_14.jpg Whitney_14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63654-30841b2628f1b11a06c266655cffa02c.jpg)
Falls along Hamilton Creek
![Whitney_15.jpg Whitney_15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63655-a8644354d40b6570921015f172efa8b0.jpg)
Spectacular
![Whitney_16.jpg Whitney_16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63656-e4f3ccb8b69f14705fc345e7524338c1.jpg)
Part of Valhalla
![Whitney_17.jpg Whitney_17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63657-2c51ec5a9980ef08e346419e8f303a67.jpg)
Looking down on the first of the Hamilton Lakes
![Whitney_18.jpg Whitney_18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63658-a8f51a3969ec35d1433d526431d4df3e.jpg)
Short tunnel along the trail
![Whitney_19.jpg Whitney_19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63659-7e719f6bdb041850991d0b0927c9081f.jpg)
More Valhalla
![Whitney_20.jpg Whitney_20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63660-dbce3faac4e2a475525ba4a8010492c2.jpg)
Second of the Hamilton Lakes
![Whitney_21.jpg Whitney_21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63661-671e1572f4d87a0342dfe93da898bf62.jpg)
Granite cliffs along Precipice Lake
![Whitney_22.jpg Whitney_22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63662-6df6f763cef7661728182ed8df3f3d77.jpg)
Looking up towards Kaweah Gap
![Whitney_23.jpg Whitney_23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63663-956507a9e0b43f6651685e93666dafed.jpg)
Looking from Kaweah Gap down the Big Arroyo Drainage
![Whitney_24.jpg Whitney_24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63664-c0f76d025c7966c7ff1a613f0f38d316.jpg)
One of the lakes in Nine Lake Basin
![Whitney_25.jpg Whitney_25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63665-cfb25ac6bdbd95678e1672b6bba5b19a.jpg)
Stunning views heading down the drainage towards night two's campsite
![Whitney_26.jpg Whitney_26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63666-767db5b182c2d93082898153d57b1762.jpg)
It's beginning to get long in the day
![Whitney_27.jpg Whitney_27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63667-ff61754e2fd24c353e528c7a5008e5f1.jpg)
Cabin at Big Arroyo. We camped just down the trail from here
![Whitney_28.jpg Whitney_28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63668-76a72967a143d77dee190f34218b5f60.jpg)
Day three and the amazing scenery never stops
![Whitney_29.jpg Whitney_29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63669-fcf441094e0a017012d8b4d7fe2bf1d6.jpg)
Starting to hike up from the Big Arroyo Drainage
![Whitney_30.jpg Whitney_30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63670-c0e07d3892ec34fd3cbc5f47e9f43ba2.jpg)
High mountain scenery
![Whitney_31.jpg Whitney_31.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63671-0a760dc2afe1e7c911fd9dc879b52bcc.jpg)
Looking down the Big Arroyo Drainage towards the Kern River Canyon
![Whitney_32.jpg Whitney_32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63672-0021181ede01252d15e1e0d8e3c5bd82.jpg)
Some pretty meadows along our route too.
![Whitney_33.jpg Whitney_33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63673-39b6f9b3fcccc106b89a5efdf67b5cd0.jpg)
Moraine Lake, our third night's campsite
![Whitney_34.jpg Whitney_34.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63674-936ea0b49bd43bc53e9f2aa68ff5bb81.jpg)
More meadows to begin day four
![Whitney_35.jpg Whitney_35.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63675-04216ab5503daee4184a7ff1f14aff1c.jpg)
Starting our descent down into Kern River Canyon
![Whitney_36.jpg Whitney_36.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63676-e297a0a6043d2eba5840781828427cd5.jpg)
Kern Canyon
![Whitney_37.jpg Whitney_37.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63677-762e7140857effa312c2a6dfd9c92170.jpg)
The Kern River in 2012 - could rock hop across
![Whitney_38.jpg Whitney_38.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63678-ed44d0404525c1c9bc0ebf566d754a64.jpg)
The Kern River in 2017 on my TST trip - over your head deep and raging
![Whitney_39.jpg Whitney_39.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63679-00d764172ca4286d01c8e63895431cd3.jpg)
Making our way up the Kern Canyon
![Whitney_40.jpg Whitney_40.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63680-77ea1d16d0d04e1a02e35d6fb9d9fb04.jpg)
Of course I had to stop and take a soak at the Kern Hot Spring - There is a cement tub that you can fill with hot water in the wooden enclosure behind me.
![Whitney_41.jpg Whitney_41.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63681-314ae89607dc8abab174d8bc1ad30f93.jpg)
More Kern Canyon hiking on our way to night four's campsite at Junction Meadow
![Whitney_42.jpg Whitney_42.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63682-046d90ae53baca35e8ff0c9b489f8789.jpg)
View in the morning for day five
![Whitney_43.jpg Whitney_43.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63683-b6fa4dbbc2de05c919e995c98d6cc320.jpg)
Looking down the Kern Canyon on our way to intersect with the JMT
![Whitney_44.jpg Whitney_44.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63684-f1a4cbb11030f40e360c00adba40dcdb.jpg)
Up above Wallace Creek - looking west
![Whitney_45.jpg Whitney_45.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63686-2de9b7bf9e7dd721756104803aef1f30.jpg)
Heading towards Crabtree Meadow
![Whitney_46.jpg Whitney_46.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63687-1ffaf7113da3e672e27c43ca5e3a38fa.jpg)
Looking back to the west along the JMT
![Whitney_47.jpg Whitney_47.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63688-872635908859a0533334790e5a64f968.jpg)
View from Crabtree Meadow where we camped for our fifth night
![Whitney_48.jpg Whitney_48.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63689-a5192db6bbb7203786d772fb889f6a8d.jpg)
First view of Mount Whitney in the evening from upper Crabtree Meadow
![Whitney_49.jpg Whitney_49.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63690-ae6ad0e4a12e2de1a8adbde768bc1747.jpg)
Morning of day six. Hiking up Whitney Creek towards Guitar Lake
![Whitney_50.jpg Whitney_50.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63691-e1d2234af9bd32e18bc1560c2a5dcafa.jpg)
Mount Whitney
![Whitney_51.jpg Whitney_51.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63692-1b3076da0e18027d359cf743a64a6d5c.jpg)
Guitar Lake - our sixth night campsite
![Whitney_52.jpg Whitney_52.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63693-9b1d9554cfc0c1f88ffc42f5e3903e8a.jpg)
Morning of day seven. I awoke at 2:30 am in order to see the sunrise from the top of Mount Whitney. It was a blue moon so I could hike up the trail in the moonlight. I could see from Trail Crest, all the people hiking up the east side of the Whitney Portal, with their steady stream of headlamps. Only 1.9 miles to go!
![Whitney_53.jpg Whitney_53.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63694-d9a0101bf7ded483a7c1f7089331e1ae.jpg)
The shack on top of Mount Whitney, which I have to myself for the time being
![Whitney_54.jpg Whitney_54.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63695-d02b75cbf16e50bf5606fd7f586cfa91.jpg)
The Scat hand on top of Mount Whitney
![Whitney_57.jpg Whitney_57.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63696-65ab0cbe304b953692b71252879e3391.jpg)
Sunrise on Mount Whitney. Waiting for this to happen I was the coldest I have ever been in my life. The wind was blowing really hard.
![Whitney_56.jpg Whitney_56.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63697-161c61fdb409ffe06091f75ec1470101.jpg)
Blue moon setting to the west
![Whitney_55.jpg Whitney_55.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63698-a5f13dd7c8e077d1882c82adf6c92147.jpg)
A look down the Whitney Portal towards Lone Pine and Owens Valley
![Whitney_58.jpg Whitney_58.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63699-4bf4605e4d7d53712f083d25c6233c35.jpg)
Absolutely Freezing!
![Cold :cold: :cold:](/addedsmilies/cold.gif)
![Whitney_59.jpg Whitney_59.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63700-dce00b9652394d56f65ded5313586082.jpg)
View to the south
![Whitney_60.jpg Whitney_60.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63701-e9e706f614fcddc682d8d15f89d15e86.jpg)
View to the west from Mount Whitney
![Whitney_61.jpg Whitney_61.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63702-472da7cbf023025a75754f9b017d3c66.jpg)
Looking down on Murdock Lakes and Guitar Lake, where we camped the night before
![Whitney_62.jpg Whitney_62.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63703-4d6b38e4a958fe3aec013a0bdd80a572.jpg)
Looking south along the ridge towards Trail Crest
![Whitney_63.jpg Whitney_63.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63704-8ab75944eb8bf45e6eec04201b1eb37d.jpg)
Impressive indeed
![Whitney_64.jpg Whitney_64.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63705-022701a3c84a58ff64124ce0685f19e8.jpg)
Heading down towards Outpost Camp
![Whitney_65.jpg Whitney_65.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63706-185bc435424030ca847c2a2ebb3e8162.jpg)
Making our way to night seven's campsite at Outpost Camp
![Whitney_66.jpg Whitney_66.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63707-c89b31e7b3562c64013f7daeb4c69dc8.jpg)
View in the morning of day eight
![Whitney_67.jpg Whitney_67.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63708-9d5502a8a10f7c25a2cf956d5855da76.jpg)
Heading down the Whitney Portal
![Whitney_68.jpg Whitney_68.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63709-7fe7cbae2d16d6f31fac893a9f48e89b.jpg)
View down the portal towards Owens Valley
![Whitney_69.jpg Whitney_69.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63710-71ebd2747b5f63b43d05ef1cfc6c4f3d.jpg)
View back up the canyon
![Whitney_70.jpg Whitney_70.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63711-4bd8a2385382cab60003b3caebbb0af7.jpg)
My pack weighed 46 pounds at trail's end.
![Whitney_71.jpg Whitney_71.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63712-16a9dbb68f7897d9cd3abafd4d444414.jpg)
Bacon cheese burger and fries at the Whitney Portal Store!
![Whitney_72.jpg Whitney_72.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/63/63713-e0a7a8c061a891b89d9e53cfc2de60b3.jpg)
And of course I had to take a trip down to Death Valley and Badwater Basin before heading home.
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