Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Portal water status?

The inyo National Forest put this notice on their website today.

Water System Turned Off at Whitney Portal

The water system at Whitney Portal has been ordered to be shut off.
The system’s source has tested positive for both E. coli and total coliform. The cause of the contamination is unknown at this point and therefore cannot be corrected.

As this system is the only potable water system in the Whitney Portal, this closure affects all areas in the Portal, including the Whitney Portal (family and group) and Whitney Portal Trailhead Campgrounds, recreation residences, and the Whitney Portal Store. It also affects the spigots at the overflow and hiker parking lot.

Visitors to the area are advised to bring water while recreating in Whitney Portal.

We are driving from the Ontario airport to Mammoth Lakes on Sept 5 and were hoping to eat lunch at the Portal Store. We have not been in the area in a while. Is there any chance that the kitchen will be able to re-open by then?

As of Aug 17 the kitchen is open. I ate breakfast there yesterday.

Dale B. Dalrymple

I had burgers there yesterday afternoon (Thursday Aug 17). I understand they're on a "day by day" basis. The health department can shut it down at any time.

I just drink the creek water. It's fine

What's the source for the Portal water system?

Currently the system is closed.

what is the source when it is operating?

A spigot in Pacoima.

The outage doesn't affect Lone Pine Campground.

paul