Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Lingering Snow Patch?

I have friends going to the Whitney summit, and they want to know if there is any usable snow to melt for water near the summit. There is often a snow patch on or near the trail past the windows, just before it ascends the final slope to the hut, but this late in the year, it may be gone. If anyone goes by there this weekend, could you check, or even post a picture?

Thank you very much for all responses!

Hi Bee,
I was there two weeks ago (9/7-8). There was no remaining snow.

I did see one place on the trail, I think somewhere below Keeler's Needle, where tucked in the rocks there was a frozen seep. But it is tucked under the rocks and would be difficult to get to even if one found it. I would be looking at the switchback springs as the last water.
Tom

Hi Bee,

When I descended the switchbacks on 9/16, to my dismay the switchback spring (in the vicinity of switchback #23) was not flowing. Its disappearance is typical this time of the season.

Jim

Jim - I was on the trail on 9/15, and found that while that spring wasn't flowing on the way up, it was flowing a small amount on my down. It was easy to miss though, and in order to use it I would probably have needed to hollow out a pocket in/near the trail.