Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Cell reception

Can any comment on how much cell reception they have on the portal road? At the portal ? On the trail up to Whitney ?

I have ATT service and have had sporadic phone reception on portal road all the way to the portal parking lot. Reception at the portal was 0-1 bar depending on where I was standing. On the trail experienced several spots where I had receptions but don't remember exactly where. Some texts and email came in on my phone and as able to respond to them on couple spots but the majority of the trail there is no reception.

I did not try to get reception at the top this year because I was too busy watching the sunrise but I remember a friend and I had some reception last year at the top but it was hit and miss. Turned on airplane mode, turn it off, search for signal, had no success. Move around, tried again... etc..

Short answer. Unreliable reception at best with my experience.

I have Verizon, and have never had much luck on the summit although I've watched others who have.

A fairly reliable signal can sometimes be found at the "windows" located along a half-mile section after Trail Crest where the trail passes close to steep rock walls which seem to focus the signal. Most hikers (me included) are focused on maintaining our footing in these sections (3 or 4 IIRC) but ... if you need a cell connection, find a secure place to stop. One of these windows in particular I've found a strong cell signal.

Here's a thread from 2 years ago.

I've always been able to connect on the summit, but only in one spot.

Using ATT I had LTE service at a couple of the windows (on the ridgeline) that had a clear shot of Lone Pine. On the summit, it says I had a bar or two but I've never been able to send or receive a text; nor call.

The cell phone question comes up every now and again. The consensus of answers over the years is this:

1. The portal has spotty reception in some areas, but don't count on it.

2. There is basically no reception along the trail. There could be a small place or two with a weak signal, but you probably won't find them.

3. I always got a great signal from the summit on Verizon, but the last time I was there was 7 years ago. Stand near the edge so you have line of sight to Lone Pine.

I had the same problem with ATT on the summit. Two bars, but I was unable to send any texts. I did not try to make a call.