Hey, Does anyone know an approximate time to get up and down Muir, from WHITNEY TRAIL? Basically, once we turn off trail at the cairn, how much time does this detour will add on summit day.

Assuming the following: healthy adult, experience at altitude, experience with Class 3, already researched route and have a plan with images.

Thank you!

I don't remember exactly how long it took. Looking at photo timestamps from my hike last year.. I was at Whitney summit at 12:10 (via MR) and then have a pic of us scrambling up the lower part of the Mt. Muir rocks at 1:10 and then a selfie at the top with the registry at 1:32. It took us a while to decide whether or not to go up due to 50mph+ gusts of wind and the exposed scramble. I ended up climbing up to the summit block alone, climbing down, and then going up a second time with a friend. I'd estimate at the trail intersection you are ~1hr from Whitney summit and 20-30 min from Muir summit. That's just an estimate though.

Keep in mind - the climb up to the top of Muir seemed to me like a class 3+ with moderate exposure. There are a few sections where you really don't want to fall. Unremarkable summit block, but it feels good to top out.

I'd guess about 45 minutes up and down. As long as you don't hang at the top for more than a few minutes.

My first detour to Muir (on the way to Whitney in 1988) took 30 minutes. It also took 30 minutes when I did it last April. I climb class 3 faster than most, so Steve’s estimate of 45 minutes is realistic.

As Steve and Bob noted, people will commonly say that Muir is a ~45min side trip. I found the following thread from a few years back helpful with planning, particularly the last summitpost link with the route map drawn over a photo:

http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/37017/Re:_Combining_Mt._Whitney_and_

Aside - cool to see Steve and Bob still commenting many years later, we appreciate your contributions!