Mt. Whitney A Harder way - 08.06-07.2024
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Most interesting "fact" ... not a single person I talked to over 2 days was from CA...and I'm old...so I can BS...a lot...
One of the most interesting quotes..."I'm on my daily commute." from one of the NPS Trail Workers (as he blew past) heading out to the lower west-side switchbacks...
Finishing the trip...I was leap-frogging a young guy on the way to Guitar Lake...we said a few words as we passed and I asked what they were finishing...Piute Pass to Whitney Portal..."Want to see some shortcuts on the way down?"...kind of like "hell yeah, but we have to ask Dad" Turned out it was a group of four from WI...
I had the most excellent person following (dude was strong...he let me lead) me up west side switchbacks...conversation was so facinating that we hit the last 4 without even feeling it (common comment was amazement that we were at the Junction)...
I went to summit alone (196 by me revised inaccurate counting).
Dad was good with trying the alternate routes...to keep the potential bush-whacking out we did the Trail Camp - Trailside Meadow and the Slabs down past Bighorn Park - Lone Pine Lake switchbacks. They were Thrilled...
OK, so here's the trip...
Monday was a shake-out up at my favorite altitude training spot...Trail Pass / Cottonwood Pass Loop.
Tuesday was up over Army Pass...down to Soldier Lakes...up the Miter Basin...over Crabtree Pass (still snow at the top)...down the Crabtree Lakes drainage...
Ran out of daylight and couldn't find my headlamp so it was "this it the spot for the night" (probably a mile shy of the PCT).
Lowlight of the trip...not making Crabtree Meadow and passing by way too early to visit with Christine at the Ranger Station...
Here are some photos:
Army Pass.
Heading up into the Miter Basin.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Whats-New-1/Cottonwood-Lakes-Mt-Whitney-0806-072024/i-j9ggzDS/0/LntWkGKbR7zLtjvhrPJMZbm7wDvGkGBxFkdj8H4gz/X2/IMG_2113-X2.jpg)
One of about a billion beautiful cascades.
Sky Blue Lake.
One of many tarns.
Crabtree Lakes Drainage.
Traversing one of the Crabtree Lakes.
Evening Alpine Glow.
Past Sunset.