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

Just wondering... did any of the campsites get washed out?

Do you have a campsite reserved or are you talking about the first come first serve walk in sites? All sites should be usable.

Thanks Kurt! Yes, we have reservations at sites 27 and 29

Hi uconnjohn,

I last camped at the Whitney Portal Family Campground three weeks ago. Then all the sites looked in good shape and the camp host was very pleasant and helpful. However, there were signs posted that the creek level could rise. Sites 27 and 29 are well above the creek and should be fine.

The Onion Valley Campground (operations base for Kearsarge Pass and beyond) is an entirely different matter. There the camp management just cancelled my two upcoming campsite reservations due to substantial flood damage.

Enjoy your your stay at the Portal Campground. It is a gem

Jim

Good to hear the camp is in good shape, it's a great place to camp.

Wonder how the bears are this year? Every time I've stayed at this campground a bear is visiting somewhere in the camp.

Hello JimF: Can you be more specific which Onion Valley campground is flooded which was posted on 7/14:
("The Onion Valley Campground (operations base for Kearsarge Pass and beyond) is an entirely different matter. There the camp management just cancelled my two upcoming campsite reservations due to substantial flood damage.")

Thanks, I do have reservation at the Grays Meadows camp ground.

No doubt he means the campground that is very close to the Kearsarge Pass trail head. That campground is lower in elevation than Independence Creek, which flows right past it.

I was up in Onion Valley last weekend. The campground at the trailhead is official closed due to the water tank that supplies water to the campground being destroyed during the winter. Also, there was some erosion at several campsites.

Now, while up there, I was told by several hikers that the forest service allows a one night stay, must be out in the morning. There were people in the campground camping while I was there.

I suspect that the forest service would like to keep the campground only available for one night camps.

The campground at the lower level, upper and lower grey's meadow is open, and has water.

paul