Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Hiking Whitney w/ Ice & Snow

Hi everyone,

We (group of 2) have a day permit to hike Whitney this weekend, and we were hoping someone could provide some insight into conditions. We both have extensive high-altitude experience (Kilimanjaro, Fuji, etc.) but very limited experience hiking in icy/snowy conditions.

How much does the ice/snow slow you down? We both hike at a fairly rapid pace, but aren't sure how this might be affected by winter conditions and crampons. Also perhaps worth noting, neither of us have used ice axes before.

Thank you very much in advance to anyone willing to chime in!

On the job training probably isn't the best idea. An ice axe can be lethal if not used properly or without some sort of training.
I'm sure Doug will chime in with information on conditions,.I'm sure the switchbacks are snowed in so that would mean going up the gully. Without confidence and experience with your equipment,a slip or fall would lead to serious injuries or worse.
It's a great mountain with great hikes and climbs,it needs to be shown due respect. Have fun whatever you decide.

First I don't want to discourage your trip,but we had another 12 to 18 inches of snow over the melting existing coverage.

Next no trail ,you will be breaking trail or following tracks,this slows you down. At12500 you will need to climb a snow slope for about1000 ft. A about as steep as Blue ski run ,many turned back this week at trailcrest (top of slope) say 4 or 5 people most left on Monday,rain snow all day Sunday .



A day hike now would be based on a repeat climb ,so you do not waste time looking for the trail,climbing the steep sections and breaking trail on the west side if needed.recall the round trip is about 21 miles. 6000 ft gain.

And you may be on snow ice most of the distance.

I would set a goal for the 12000 ft area see what that's like maybe try a few feet up the slope above and join the rest that will be turning around.

Many will try to sell rent you help devices but think hard will they only get you deeper into trouble ?
I would come at a later date when the trail is dry,the days are long and you have warm weather.

Thank you for the replies!

I think at this point we are probably leaning against it... due to logistical constraints, we won't be able to start hiking until 6 a.m. which, from what I've read, seems to be cutting it very close. It's a shame because we have our tickets/hotels booked and everything, and were really looking forward to the hike

Does anyone have any recommendations for high-altitude peaks nearby (or within driving distance from LA) that are slightly less technical or snowy? We're very disappointed, but obviously safety comes first.

There is a great hike out of Big Pine. You can go commune with the Bristle Cone Pines. You drive to 10,000 feet and the hike is about 4-5 miles or so. Someone from down that way can give you an idea on the road. If its good,you can go even further and see another groove even higher up. It's further East so you get a great view looking West at the Eastern Side of the Sierra.If that makes sense.

This post made me laugh at how appalling it is. Joanna you asked the same question here and on that other board. Please please please I hope you ignored Steve C's advice on that other board. He'll probably take it down after I post it here but he can't delete it on this board and it shows what an ignorant goon he is. Don't listen to anything he says.



Sure go ahead and get on a steep slope and try out how to use an ice axe. That has to be about the most idiotic thing I've heard in a long time. People have been badly injured, evacuated, and killed on Whitney's Main Trail and you tell her to go ahead and find a steep slope and try it just for fun. Did you ever think about referring her to a qualified guide to teach her these things??? Probably not because you're such a hack you've probably never learned the right way to do things either. Absolutely unbelievable.

Sierra Cement, it must have taken a lot of courage to take PART of someone’s advice on another board and then post it out of context here with a bunch of insults and personal attacks, knowing that he can’t respond. Here is Steve’s complete post:



When you read Steve’s entire post, it’s obvious that he didn’t expect Joanna to hike high enough to need an ice axe. He suggested that she read up on using the axe and then give it a try. That seems reasonable to me. It certainly didn’t warrant your rant about “appalling,” “ignorant,” “goon,” “idiotic,” “hack,” and “unbelievable.” Please keep your vicious personal attacks off the boards.

I drove up to the Schulman Grove a few days ago. The first gate was open, and a few patches of snow were easy to drive around. At the Schulman Center the road remains open, but there's a sign posted that there's deep snow ahead. Later, I spoke with a lady ranger at the USFS Ranger Station in Bishop who said she'd just been up, so a call to her would give you exact info. When the road is completely snow-free, it's a 6-7 mile hike from the gate below Barcroft to the summit of White Mtn, following an old road. White Mtn is located off CA168 (13 miles east of Big Pine) and then about an equal drive on White Mtn Rd.

Don't underestimate the length of time it takes to drive from Big Pine.