Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Parking

So I will be doing jmt and I have some friends meeting me for the last 45 miles from the from onion valley. Where is the best place for them to park a car so a shuttle can take them to onion valley to start.

They could leave the car in Onion Valley and shuttle at the end of the hike A car in Lone pine area is another option since it is easy to hitch from the Portal to town.

How about lone pine campground

I have a group of 9 hikers. We're happy to carpool, but we'll need at least two cars.
Any suggestions?

It is very clear that each permit will have 1 (one) Parking permit and that may or may not allow you to park if all the spaces are taken. So far the lots during the week are not full but we are into the main season now and the lots may fill on the weekends .

Your best option is make 2 shuttle trips and hope you find a space.

Lone Pine Campground road and area may have space but it is starting to fill.


Grinding and paving should start in the Morning 11 July and we will know how this all plays out for the long closures this week.

Of note, there was a flat-bed tow truck heading into the Portal the other evening. Make sure you've got your parking permit visible...

I hope there's a parking space for my car at the Portal. If there isn't, could I park it legally in Lone Pine somewhere?

It's a shame public transportation isn't better. I was planning on taking the bus but then I found out how many days it would require.

Hi Ep you should find a space, The contractor came in today and says if all goes well they will start paving after a test strip near town in the morning and should be done in 20 days,which means a month since they do not work on weekends and I would expect some breakdowns.

When they reach the Lone Pine Campground area and above things will change since the road is narrow and the grade is steeper so trucks will start to overheat and stall or move slower. Also this area will require the 3 hour closures . When that starts I will post when I find out the date that will start.

Hi So the road is ground down to Horseshoe Meadow Road and a short section of test strip was place just out side of town. Gossip is they MAY DO THE 3 HOUR CLOSURES NEXT WEEK but so far nothing we have heard has happened so stay tuned.

Last week Horseshoe was a bypass but then they started using the escort car again and blocked the road at Horseshoe for uphill traffic until the escort car came , So we have shifted to Hogback for the next few days until they grind the upper section.


Parking is still open.People are finding overflow now and the upper lots are clearing most nights.