Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Google maps reports Mt. Whitney trail to summit as 9.9 miles

I just plotted the entire trail as a walk from the portal trailhead to the summit and got 9.9 miles on Google maps, I know for a fact that the figure is 11 miles, is Google maps wrong?

https://imageshack.com/i/p9fwr7t9j

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/36.586903,-118.2401676/36.5784934,-118.2924641/@36.5745138,-118.2650548,15.5z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2

Infact, I am plotting points on OSMAnd, which is an offline map application for Android which I plan to use on the trail and it the point between the turnoff onto the Mt. Whitney Trail to the John Muir trail and the summit seems too short on Google Maps.

Not surprising, I've seen a lot of variation between online mileage, millage posted on trail signs, what my GPS track says, and what my body thinks I walked.

And I'm fairly sure Google maps wouldn't take elevation changes and every twist and turn of the trail into account for it's mileage estimates.

Plus 4.25 hours for the whole trail... I wish!

Half-mile (Lon Cooper) carried a GPS transponder while hiking the PCT last year. Besides measuring the mileage for the PCT, he also recorded many spur trails, including the MMWT from the peak to the Portal.



His mileage calculation is 10.4. You can access his maps and waypoints here:

http://www.pctmap.net/

Here are the details for those interested in the technology behind the mapping project:

http://www.pcta.org/2014/ultra-high-tech-mapping-pct-long-distance-geo-logger-19469/

I really don't care how long the trail is.

I know this.

The last 2.5 miles to the summit is long and grueling. 0
Seems the summit hut keeps moving away every step I take.

The last 2.5 miles to the Portal is long and drooling, because I am craving for a burger and fries and a cold one before the store closes! Also, that refreshing shower.

Trident777, H-Day drawing closer! Have fun.

H-Day or D-Day? Thanks though!

I will report back on how my trip went. Weather is looking great so that is a plus. I have heard the switchbacks and the last mile is the toughest part of the trail, I intend to pace myself and go slow and steady.