Hello Everyone,
Brand new to the forum. I have a permit to hike Whitney the third week of October. I'll be spending a week in Yosemite (half dome, clouds rest) and then doing a day hike for Whitney. Can anyone suggest a good book on Whitney? and a recommended trail map? I live in the Tahoe region, and have been hiking Mount Rose weekly to help train for the altitude. As I'll be soloing ( and in my early 60's) I want to make the best of my first (and likely only) attempt to summit. I'm especially concerned about water locations ( I use a Sawyer and 2 smart water bottle plus a bladder)and would like a good map detailing the route and elevation profile.

Any other suggestions/comments are welcome. Thank you in advance.

All the information you need is in this forum. Look at "Feature Topics" on left side of page. Use the search option to find posts about particulars.

I would not worry about water on the main whitney trail as there are quite a few places to fill up. From Trail Camp to the summit and back will be your longest stretch without water (although I've heard there is water on one of the switchbacks going up to Trail Crest).

Tom Harrison maps are very good maps.

Here is a link to (one of?) the Alltrails maps. I don't know if you can see the full map with elevation profile without a subscription. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mount-whitney-via-mount-whitney-trail

If not, let me know and I can screenshot it for you.

An Amazon search of "Mt Whitney" will turn up a number of books. Tom Harrison Maps has a trail map. Don't overlook the other forum http://www.mountwhitneyforum.com/.

Water is readily available all the way to Trail Camp. Don't carry a ton of water. Go light and refill as needed. The Trail Camp pond is the last reliable water source before the summit. There is a spring about 1/3 the way up the switchbacks, but it will be frozen early in the morning. Leave for the summit with 3 liters of water.

I have not seen an elevation profile, but the hike gains about 6300 feet to the summit in a steady, uphill grind (average grade 10%). The one exception is the section from Trail Crest to the John Muir trail junction. That is some 150 feet of downhill that must be regained on the way back. Watch that junction carefully. People make the mistake of forgetting about the uphill on the way back. They keep going downhill on the John Muir trail which leads deep into the backcountry in the opposite direction of the Whitney Portal.

Good luck and please post a trip report.

Thank you for the info. I did see the Harrison maps but only had online reviews as a yardstick. I'll order one today.

Thank you for the info on the water. It provides a good guideline.

Lazarus, I sent you a private message.