I'm planning on doing the trail to the top next month. (About 8.4 miles round trip, about 3,000 feet elevation gain, trail head start at over 10,000 feet.)
There's certainly much information online, but I'd be interested in any Whitney Zone folks' impressions if you've done this hike.
In particular -- the need (or not) for acclimatization? What was your experience?
Acclimation is more about the person than the mountain. Think of the Wheeler Peak trailhead as being like Horseshoe Meadows. There is a campground just past the trailhead on the Wheeler Peak road and only about 200' lower. It is a good place to make a base for Wheeler Peak.
You will find that the GBNP trails are not the super-highways of Whitney and some of the eastern Sierra.
The "switchbacks" on Wheeler run near to top of the ridge that leads to the summit. That is the trail in the foreground. The trail starts in aspen and pine.
More images from Wheeler at:
http://www.dbdimages.com/Nevada-Collecti...13784231_fVmKVBDale B. Dalrymple
Nice photos. I love this hike...the last time I was up there I went over the ridge and hiked up Jeff Davis Peak after going up Wheeler. Took my kids up there one time. Thanks for reminding me to get back there.
I've done this hike several times and it reminds me of Mt Dana; very similar starting and ending elevation, a little longer mileage which means slightly lower angle trail. I've spent much time at altitude and live above 7,000 ft so acclimatization was not an issue and shouldn't be an issue for you unless you commonly have altitude problems.
It's a lovely hike with great views.
Enjoy, John