JMT: Crabtree Meadows to Mt. Whitney
I started my final section of the JMT at 3 am from Crabtree Meadows. I summited Mt. Whitney a little after sunrise to complete my 14-day JMT journey.
![JMT: Crabtree Meadows to Mt. Whitney](/content/images/size/w2000/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-9.jpg)
Day 14 – 186miles, 4170ft ascent
I had prepared everything for the morning before going to bed. I’d gone through what I needed to do and in what order. I was packed up 20 minutes after my alarm went off. I even had time to have a quick coffee while I waited for Robbie to get ready.
![Dimly lit mountains](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-1.jpg)
We started hiking with headlamps. Night-hiking was a new experience for me. It was so quiet and peaceful. The night sky was magical. I even saw a few meteorites. The temperature was nice and cool for climbing. I’m definitely going to night-hike more in the future.
![An early morning mountain landscape](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-2.jpg)
I stopped for breakfast at the last water source after Guitar Lake. I wanted to fuel up before starting the final 3000ft push for the top.
![A guitar-shaped lake](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-3.jpg)
The ascent was gradual, and the trail surface was smooth. The climb felt much easier than Forrester. I kept my pace to a slow shuffle to avoid getting sweaty and out of breath.
![Calm lakes reflecting morning light far below.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-4.jpg)
We left out bear canisters at the trail junction to Whitney and continued up with nearly empty packs. The trail became a bit rockier, but the grade remained comfortable all the way to the top. There was a small snow patch just before the top.
![Several hikers on a narrow path cutting through a mountain side.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-5.jpg)
![A valley far below the mountains.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-6.jpg)
![A mountain hut at the top of a mountain.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-7.jpg)
![Me at the top of Mt. Whitney.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-8-1.jpg)
It was freezing at the top, but the views were amazing. 360 degrees of mountain views. We stayed at the summit for a while, sending some messages and eating snacks. What an adventure it had been. As much as I was ready for a warm burger, I knew I’d miss being out on the trail.
![Flowers growing in a rock crack surrounded by newly frozen ice.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-10.jpg)
After picking up our bear cans again, we headed down towards Whitney Portal. The descent started with 100 switchbacks.
![A trail switchbacking down a rocky mountain side.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-11.jpg)
The trail was rocky and demanding a significant portion of the 8 miles down. We were glad that we were not going up this trail.
![A small pond nestled in a granite mountain.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-12.jpg)
![Pink flowers growing next to a stream flowing from a snow field.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-13.jpg)
![A tall granite wall.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-14.jpg)
When we got to the trailhead, we celebrated with burgers and beers. Robbie’s dad came to pick him up and gave me a ride to Lone Pine.
![Me next to the Mt. Whitney trail sign at the end of the trail.](https://marcushellberg.com/content/images/2021/11/jmt-crabtree-meadows-to-whitney-15.jpg)
In Lone Pine, I got a motel room and showered. I had an early dinner and fell asleep at 7. A fellow hiker gave me a ride to Bakersfield 5 am the next morning, so I could catch the train back home.