Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board So Much Smoke...

I was driving thru Lone Pine and we stopped to look up at the summit, but we could not even see the mountain from all the smoke. What a shame for the fires to create so much smoke that many people won't even be able to use the permits that they waited all year to use.

For me, I will just wait for another day. I cannot imagine how frustrating that would be if you had waited all year to hike - only to be impacted by too much smoke to hike.

The mountain will always be there.............

Hi We are lucky the current fire system is north and we have had only several hours of smoke on a few days , check webcam for days last week , This week problem is the rain all day yesterday and late last night, as this storm moves out we will have clear air but it may be moving a little fast so expect high wind and very cold conditions on the upper elevations, Ice on the trail around the cable section and I would watch all sections of the trail with slick wet rocks , early mornings or late afternoon this will be black ice!!!!!!!!!!


We have had a safe summer so far so lets keep alert and make this a record year. Thanks Doug

Getting any updated reports on smoke in the Kern Canyon? It (and a trail closure) stands between me and my Portal (chicken) burger a week hence.

I am not sure if this is the fire that is affecting the HST or not, but, here is the information for the Fish Fire:

http://inciweb.org/incident/3701/

with a link to trail closures:

http://inciweb.org/incident/article/3701/20854/

I guess Fires have their own Facebook page now:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/FishFireInformation

The Fish fire is indeed the source of smoke. The trail closure was due to the Chagoopa Fire, but the trail apparently is going to reopen. But I am still concerned about the smoke moving North from the Fish fire (apparently, for a time, it was settling in the canyon). Sequoia NP rangers are trying to get info, but I figured folks here might have been in the area and have first hand info.

I've got tentative plans to head up to the Portal this weekend, but was hoping for answers to a couple of questions: (1) are they allowing campfires in the Portal Campground campsites given the current fire restrictions; and (2) how has the smoke been in the Portal area?

Many thanks!

Hi Elway,

I camped at the Family Campground a few days ago. Campfires were allowed. During my stay on the Mountain, it was superbly clear, but windy and chilly higher up. Study the forecasts, webcam photos, predicted wind directions.

Have a great hike.

Jim F