Sunrise over Owens Valley from the icy cables section of the Mount Whitney Trail, hikers crossing old snow.

The Cables

99 Switchbacks, Mount Whitney, California

The cables section, early July: a leftover snowbank with meltwater running over it and refreezing, the whole passage glazed. I crossed first — closer to a crawl than a walk — precisely so I could turn around and photograph my two companions coming through with the sun cresting the Inyos behind them. Some frames you compose; this one I earned on my hands and knees.

Nikon Z 7_2 · 17-35mm f/2.8D · 17mm · f/3.5 · 1/160 · ISO 64

June 30, 2025

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More from 99 Switchbacks, Mount Whitney, California

Dawn alpenglow on the pinnacles of Mount Whitney from the 99 switchbacks, a hiker on the talus trail below.

More from JMT

Backpackers relaxing beside tents among granite boulders at Trail Camp below Mount Whitney in the evening.A hiker stands among boulders at dusk facing the moonlit east face of Mount Whitney from Trail Camp.Black and white photo of hikers among summit boulders beside the stone Smithsonian hut on Mount Whitney.Wildflowers above the Hitchcock Lakes with Guitar Lake in the distance, from the west slope of Mount Whitney.A small creek winding through alpine meadow toward Guitar Lake below Mount Whitney at golden hour.