Whitney Portal Trailhead is a U.S. Forest Service facility located approximately 13 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road, within Inyo National Forest, at an elevation of 8,300 feet. It serves as the starting point for the Mt. Whitney Trail, a 22-mile round-trip strenuous route that gains over 6,200 feet to the summit in Sequoia National Park, and also connects to the John Muir Wilderness. The surrounding area includes campgrounds, a picnic area, a fishing pond, and a seasonal store. Permits are required for day hikes beyond Lone Pine Lake and for all overnight use. Friends of the Inyo periodically hosts free guided educational events at the trailhead covering flora, fauna, geology, and history.