Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trip planning weather help

I have a 4 day trip planned from Cottonwood Lakes to Whitney Portal. Originally we were going to go mid to late September (I've been watching permits, but I have a friend who wants to join us but can't go until later. I've only been out there in August and September. What is weather typically like in the beginning of October? I'm sure it depends on snowfall for the year somewhat. I'd like to avoid snow shoes, crampons, axe, etc. So, if that means telling my friend we need to go earlier, I'm alright with that.

It depends completely on the year... I climbed Whitney on Oct 19th with no need for winter tools one year, other years it will be full on winter conditions.

Generally earlier in the season (ie Sept. rather than Oct.) there's less snow...

Sept - Oct can be gorgeous. It can also be ugly.

Rosie's b-day climb in early Oct was harder than a bunch of my more recent climbs. It really does depend on what Mother Nature decides to throw at you.

That's what I figured. Well, I'll just have to make the reservation and hope for the best. I think we'll be going either the 3rd or 4th week of September.

There are a lot of options for getting HM to WP done. I think there are 4 passes near Horseshoe Meadow that will all get you to the PCT with not a whole lot of difference in distance/time. I'd hold off on making a reservation and just go for a walk-in. (Don't know that there are 4 separate quotas though.)

If you've got the flexiblity, holding off on heading into the Backcountry for a few days (at that time of year) will make a huge difference in how difficult the walking will be if there has been recent snow.

Getting a walk in permit would be ideal, but we have some people driving down from Washington, so we want to make sure we can get a permit, hence the reservation. Maybe we could plan the trip to be flexible and hold off a day or two if the weather is looking bad though. A walk in permit a few days later is better than not going at all earlier due to foul weather.