Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board New Army Pass conditions

I will be leaving next month to do the entire JMT, starting from Happy Isles on July 11th, and coming out at Whitney Portal on August 3rd (my 60th birthday). As my final training hike, a few of us will be doing a four-day backpack trip, starting at the Cottonwood Pass trailhead, and coming out at the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead. On the third day we go over New Army Pass. I wanted to see if anyone can provide me with the latest conditions for the pass. My main concern is if there is any snow that we need to know about. Thank you. Big Whitney Mike

I am hiking the New Army Pass this coming weekend with my 13 y.o. son and was wondering what the snow situation is. I just want to reach the pass and turn around.

thx,
Dan

I camped at Chicken Springs lake on the 10th. Hiked up backside of Cirque on Saturday. No snow on trail and only a few patches on Cirque. You won't have any problem making it to the pass but getting over might still be an issue for another couple weeks unless you have ice axe and crampons. Anything below pass wide open.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Larz for the status update for NAP. My friends and I will spend the 16th at Chicken Springs Lake, the 17th at Solder Lake, then go up and over NAP on the 18th to Long Lake. A short shake-down trip for me as my final preparation for the JMT starting on July 11th. Big Whitney Mike

Thx for the info! We just want to make it to the top of the pass if possible, will bring spikes JIC.

FYI, a friend and I went up New Army Pass on Saturday July 16. On that date at the very top you had to take exactly three footsteps on snow (easily crossed). The rest of the trail was snow free.

...Sam