Is there a road up Mt. Whitney?
Usa, north-america
19.31 km
2,557 m
hard
Year-round
Whitney Portal Road is a short but spectacular drive that takes you about halfway up Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States, in Inyo County, in the US state of California.
Is there a road up Mt. Whitney?
Tucked away in the eastern central part of California, the road is 19.31km (12 miles) long, starting at Lone Pine. It’s totally paved. The road connects Lone Pine to Whitney Portal (the Whitney Portal Store is at the Portal, and the store is open in the summer).
Is the road to Whitney Portal open?
Set high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range,
Whitney Portal Road usually opens sometime in early May, with the first major winter storm shutting it down sometime in November, meaning it is not maintained or cleared of snow.
However, it is not physically barred, and climbers routinely drive as far as conditions will allow. The road is not gated or otherwise physically blocked; call the Inyo National Forest for information. Weather and road conditions can change in an instant.
Can you see Mount Whitney from the road?
The road ends at 2,557m (8,389ft) above sea level at Whitney Portal, where there is a close view of Mount Whitney.
When was Whitney Portal Road in California built?
The road to the summit was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
How long does it take to drive Whitney Portal Road in California?
To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 25 and 35 minutes. The drive features sweeping views. It twists and turns through an otherworldly landscape known as the Alabama Hills, a set of bizarrely constructed rock piles, before setting on a fairly straight shot for the foothills of Mount Whitney.
Alabama Hills are the scene of literally hundreds of cowboy films, but the road has a film history, too. The steep, sharp switchbacks along the Whitney Portal Road were prominent in scenes in the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz film "The Long, Long Trailer," in which Lucy surreptitiously fills a travel trailer with her rock collection until it’s too heavy to ascend the grade. The road is also featured in the 1941 classic, "High Sierra," starring Humphrey Bogart.
The vistas change dramatically as you draw closer to the mountains, seeming more and more massive until suddenly they overwhelm you, and you're a part of them, looking back down on the road, the hills, and the Owens Valley. In other words, there's plenty of time to think about what you're getting yourself into.
Is Whitney Portal Road in California challenging?
This route is paved but narrow, steep, and winding with dramatic switchbacks. There is a risk of rock slides on the way up. It’s very steep, with some 14% gradients. It is a great and difficult climb out of the high desert up towards Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48.
The road has some narrow parts and blind corners. Like most eastern Sierra ascents, this one starts out tame and ends up tough. The grade generally increases as you climb so that a five-mile stretch in the 2nd half averages 9%. The hill lets up just before the finish at Whitney Portal and a parking/hiking area (trailhead to Mt. Whitney). Whitney Portal is also very similar to the famed French climb of
The narrow road to Schofield Pass in Colorado is for experienced drivers only
The creepy story of Sensabaugh Tunnel in Tennessee
Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our
to discover the most spectacular roads of the world
Drive Us to Your Road!
With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click
to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 19.31 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,557 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhere is Big Southern Butte?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Big Southern Butte, a massive volcanic dome smack-dab in southern Idaho, near the Craters of the Moon. This thing is HUGE – almost 2.5 miles wide and towering over 2,300 meters. So, how do you get to the top? There's this totally unpaved road that winds its way up, about 7.5 kilometers of pure adventure. Originally built for a fire lookout, which is now gone, the road is still maintained and it climbs almost 800 meters. While full-sized vehicles *can* make it, an ATV or UTV is definitely the way to go. It’s generally in decent shape, but some sections are seriously steep. Ground clearance and 4WD are a major plus, especially considering the sheer drop-offs – not for the faint of heart! Cell service is spotty too, so be prepared. But trust me, it's worth it. The panoramic views from the top are insane. Seriously, a full 360-degree vista stretching from the Tetons all the way to the south hills of Twin Falls. You can even spot the Pioneer Range, the Lost River Range, and more! Just a heads up: the road's closed in winter. And because it's super remote, pack plenty of food and water – zero services out there. Mid-May to October is usually the sweet spot, weather-wise, but always check conditions before you go. It gets HOT in the summer with zero shade, so cooler times are ideal. And remember, help might be a while coming, so be extra cautious.
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Sunset Mountain in ID
🇺🇸 Usa
Sunset Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.393m (7,851ft) above the sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. Set high in the Boise National Forest, in southwest Idaho, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Sunset Mountain Road (Forest Road 316). The road has a few rough places, so a high clearance vehicle is required. The summit hosts a lookout tower built in 1958. The views are extensive with Boise Mountains in all directions. Located in the northwestern corner of Boise Range, this road is usually closed from late October through late June or early July (depending on snow). It is not generally snow-free until late June or even July in some years. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 26% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at , the ascent is 7.40km (4.6 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 522 meters. The average gradient is 7.05%. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardHana Highway: 617 turns and 46 one-lane bridges in Hawaii
🇺🇸 Usa
# The Road to Hana: Maui's Epic Coastal Adventure Buckle up for one of the world's most stunning drives! Located on the eastern side of Maui, the legendary Road to Hana stretches 52 miles from Kahului and delivers pure magic at every turn. Picture this: mountains towering on one side, the sparkling ocean on the other, and hidden waterfalls stealing your attention around every corner. It's tropical paradise on wheels. Fair warning though—this road is seriously curvy. We're talking about 617 switchbacks packed into those 52 miles. You'll cross 56 bridges (46 of them are just one lane wide), navigate steep cliffs, dodge falling rocks, and deal with those confusing mile markers that keep resetting. Oh, and did we mention it rains constantly? Wet roads and blind curves are part of the deal here. The payoff? Absolutely worth it. The drive meanders through lush rainforests, past black-sand beaches, through valleys, and along dramatic coastal cliffs. It's basically nature's greatest hits collection. Most people take 3-4 hours for the complete journey—and that's with stops. Pro tip: hit the road on a weekday morning to avoid the 1,000+ daily tourists. The road itself is fully paved and in decent shape—not dangerous, just genuinely challenging. Take those tight U-curves slowly and use your horn to alert oncoming traffic. The trickiest bit comes about half a mile after mile marker 6, where you've got barely any wiggle room. Built in the 1800s and fully paved by 1962, the Road to Hana has earned its reputation as one of Earth's best coastal drives. Start early, take your time, and prepare to have your mind blown.
extremeWhere is Yellow Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I just discovered Yellow Mountain, tucked away in the far northeast corner of California, practically kissing the Oregon border in Modoc County. This peak punches way up, clocking in at a cool 8,087 feet! Getting there? Oh, it's a *journey*. We're talking a completely unpaved road that winds its way up through the Warner Mountains. Picture this: narrow, steep, and definitely requiring a 4x4 beast. Seriously, don't even think about attempting it without one. It's gorgeous, but can be treacherous. The road itself isn't crazy long, only about 1.24 miles after you hop off County Road 2 (aka The Highgrade Trail). But those miles are packed with a punch! Think incredible views, challenging terrain, and a real sense of accomplishment when you finally reach that summit. Just be prepared for a wild ride!