Snowmelt helps feed the river, which in turn feeds an aqueduct system (not visible) that supplies water to Los Angeles. The Owens River is visible as a thin, dark line winding along the valley floor. The valley is visible at the bottom of this photograph, which shows the Sierra Nevada and Mount Whitney as observed from the east on December 19, 2018, by an astronaut on the International Space Station. A 200-mile drive north from Los Angeles puts you in Lone Pine, a small town in Owens Valley. But each has its challenges: rapid elevation gain, rugged topography, and brutal weather can test even the most seasoned climbers.Ī popular approach is from the eastern side of the range via the Mount Whitney Trail (assuming you win a permit in the Mount Whitney Lottery). There’s more than one way to approach the 4421-meter (14,505-foot) summit in the Sierra Nevada. Many hikers are lured to California’s Mount Whitney each year by the desire to stand atop the tallest peak in the continental United States. Please read the Health & Weather Notice above.Today’s Image of the Day is from our feature story: Trailing the Pacific Crest from Space. The tours involve about a mile of walking and climbing some stairs. These can be arranged by sending an email request to under age 6 are not permitted. If you have a large group, we urge you to opt for a private tour instead. Tour tickets are available for same-day purchase at the Cosmic Café, and rarely sell out. Tickets are $15 (adults) and $13 (ages 12 and under & 62 and older). On rare occasions, a telescope may be closed to the tour due to a special event or maintenance. Tours can take up to two hours to complete.Ī special feature of these tours is entrance into both the 60-inch and 100-inch telescope domes, as well as the observing room of the 150-foot Solar Tower Telescope. Tours leave from the Cosmic Café located above the large parking lot at the entrance to the Observatory. Remember that conditions on the mountain may change from what you see on the Towercam.ĭocent-led walking tours of the observatory take place on Saturdays and Sundays through November 29. There will be two tours per day, one leaving at 11:30 am and another leaving at 1:00 pm.
#MT WHITNEY NASA PICTURE OF THE DAY UPDATE#
A live image from the observatory, update every four minutes, can be seen from the Towercam. The weather is often much different on the mountain than in the city below.
Be prepared for any weather conditions including snow and local dense fog. Weather conditions in the mountains can vary greatly and change suddenly. Visitors should take these factors into consideration before touring the Observatory.
Tours of the Observatory, either guided or unguided, are inappropriate for guests with limited mobility.
The century-old facilities are not ADA-compliant and, except for the Astronomical Museum and the Cosmic Cafe, offer no access to those who cannot climb multiple flights of stairs. Health & Weather Notices: The high elevation of the Observatory (5715 ft) and the change in elevation during the approximately one-mile and two-hour long tour are unsuitable for individuals with respiratory and heart problems or with limited mobility.