Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board What are current snow conditions on New Army Pass?

A friend of mine and I are planning a four-day backpack trip in a couple weeks out of the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead. On August 28th we plan on hiking over New Army Pass. I know that there was snow on NAP as of July 17th. My question is has anyone been over New Army Pass recently so to be able to provide a report as to any possible snow this late in the season. Thank you. Big Whitney Mike

There's still a little snow but you can navigate it now without needing crampons or an ice axe. You'll be fine for August 28.

Thanks Kurt, I appreciate the update. Mike

Just to clarify and add a little more information. There's still a snow bank up there. As of about a week ago it wasn't passable by horses but people have been able to do it just fine on foot. The snow will be firm in the morning but it usually softens up by mid to late morning (temperature dependent) and you should be able to navigate it fine with a pair of trekking poles.

Some folks tried shoveling it to help horses get through and although they were unsuccessful the work they did will help it continue to melt.

That is good info Kurt, thank you. We will be camping near Solder Lake on the 27th, and will start our ascent of NAP on the morning of the 28th probably around 7:30am. I expect to be at NAP by 9:30 or so. After a little break, we head down to the Cottonwood Lakes. So we will be going down any snow with our packs on, but we both do have trekking poles. Mike

Snow is melting fast. I'd be interested to hear what you encounter on August 28. Would you mind posting a couple pictures when you return? If you don't have a way to post them let me know and I can do it if you email them to me .

Pix of New Army Pass on August 28 courtesy of Big Whitney Mike. It looks like snow is no longer a concern up there .

Kurt
Many thanks. I will be there in about 10 days

Wonder if there are any lingering issues on the slopes around the north side of the lake just above Sky Blue, at Crabtree Pass, or its northbound approach or descent.

Harvey

From a report posted yesterday in a Facebook group that I'm in.

"Our original plan was to go over Crabtree Pass, however, lingering snow on steep parts of the route especially around Crabtree Lakes led us to reverse course and head out over Old Army Pass."