Hiking season is well underway in the Eastern Sierra, with visitors showing up before dawn to ascend 6,200 feet of elevation ...

I leaned in silence against Mt. Whitney’s granite rock face, taking in the view soon after finishing a series of 99 grueling switchbacks. During that roughly two-mile stretch, I was giddy.

I was lacing up my hiking boots by 12:05 a.m. “We’ve started up a few switchbacks on the old Mount Whitney Trail. I’m already too hot and have to ditch my insulated jacket. Just passed a ...