Lone Pine Lake is a 2.8 mile hike with an 1,000 foot elevation gain from the starting point of the Whitney Portal which is around 8,000 feet in altitude. This makes for an incredible day hike with spectacular views an the opportunity to trek along a portion of the famous Mount Whitney Trail. There was still snow on the ground yet the day was warm, the air clear and crisp with pleasant pine sent and I got badly sunburned, but it was well worth it!