Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mahogany Flat

Anyone been up there lately, and if so, is 4 wheel drive required?

Thanks,

Phil G.

Bookmark this: http://www.nps.gov/deva/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=404244

Death Valley National Park Morning Report.

The roaded is gated at the Kilns. Looking across to Telescope a few days ago, it may take a bit more warm weather to get it open to the campground.

Thanks Richard!

a week ago, the road was fine up to the kilns. Above that it was all snow.

Officially open to Mahogany. They're recommending 4WD above the Kilns.

Climbed Telescope on 4/18. Road was open all the way to Mahogany Flat. No snow on the road. Last Half mile of climb was knee to crotch deep snow. Very soft, no crampons needed. Can anyone explain how to post pictures on this site. I don't have a clue.

Thanks!

So, Phil, Richard, Fish, or anyone - does anyone want to do Shorty's Well to Telescope some time in May or June?

Count me........ out. I don't like hiking/climbing in hot weather.

I'd love to, but that 3800 mile round trip at $4.xx gallon just kills it for me.

Sounds interesting. You thinking monster day hike or ?. Sounds like there would be some car shuttles involved?

Hey James - Monster day hike sounds okay - or some shuttling (Wild Rose to Shorty's Well) - or a night near the top and back to Shorty's Well the next day. I'm pretty flexible within two different blocks of time. They are:

May 6 – 10 (Friday to Tuesday) - AND -
May 23 (a Monday) to Jun 12 (a Sunday)

There may be one day between 5/23 and 6/12 that I have an obligation (I think, I'll check my work calendar) Does any one or two days in those frames work for you.

Climbed Tele, Bennett, Rogers and Wildrose yesterday. The road up to Mahogany is possible with high-clearance 2WD.

Snow on the ridge is avoidable. The last 4-500' are continuous snow, but it was soft enough that it's possible (are you a risk-taker?) without gear.

When I was getting ready to leave, this Cutlass comes ripping up the dirt road and skids to a halt. The passengers get out, raise the hood and then ask "How far to the closest town?" I point down the hill and say "About 35 miles that way." "We want to keep going this way..." "It dead-ends in a couple of miles." "Oh!"

I didn't ask if they needed any help because they scared me. (There are some real scarry people out here in the desert.)

Made my day.

Tony,
May 6 – 10 are out for me
May 23 to Jun 12...maybe May 27-28
Probably best if you just plan the trip when you can/want to go and if I can make it then I'll see how it goes. I wasn't planning a trip like that but it sounds wild. What's the heat like that time of year?

RichardP, have you ever seen, "The Hills Have Eyes"?

Richard - thanks for the current data
James, sounds good - I'm shooting for the 28th - will let you know as the day approaches.

Tony,
I can't make the 28th now, sorry. Would like to go but can't make the schedule work right now. Good luck on the hike.

DV flirting with 110 plus (as Richard noted) - think I'll save some gas money and do Langley and / or Willy, 2 that I need to do on my 14er list. And maybe Corcoran or Le Conte.