Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Questions for this newbie hiking July 13th

Hello to all and apologize if this post happens to be in the wrong area. I have a couple specific questions that I couldn't find in my online reading. I am 39, male, in somewhat good shape, have a reservation for July 13th and want to hike Mt. Whitney trail with a friend:

1. I know weather can't be 100% predicted, but will I be okay going without snow specific gear July 13th? Or what specifically will I need? I've done the SoCal 6 pack of hikes last year with basic hiking shoes, without poles or extra clothes, Gorgonio probably being most similar to Whitney, and I was thinking to do the same for Whitney. I will keep updated with the weather in the 3 weeks til the hike date but looking for that general answer on what I'd need that I can't seem to find.

2. I guess I will have to book a hotel to stay the night before, but I was wondering of the small chance of calling in to pick up my permit after hours and driving up to Whitney from LA the night before (5 hour drive). For someone in pretty good shape and can function sometimes without a lot of sleep, is that out of the question to think about doing?

3. I read that Baldy, Gorgonio, Jacinta are the best prep for Whitney as far as training and altitude acclimation, but is there any recommendation if only doing one or two out of those three? And how soon would doing those before Whitney provide good preparation/prevention for AMS?

I thank you so much in advance for any help/guidance.

Hi Alan,

Your questions are appreciated and I will suggest one approach to get some answers.

Hiking two of Baldy, San Gorgonio, or San Jacinto will probably take two full days. Consider the following strategy which also consumes two days. This strategy is based on the belief that the best classroom is found by actually being in the High Sierras, as well as rehearsing some of the things you will actually being doing on the Big Day (July 13th for you). So consider the following:

(1) Tomorrow (8:00am-4:30 pm) phone the Wilderness Permit Office (760 873 2483) to learn precisely how the Night Box pickup for your permit will play out.

(2) This Friday night drive to Lone Pine. Locate (for future reference) the gazebo in front of the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center.

(3) Drive up to Whitney Portal and throw down your sleeping bag at one of the walk in campsites.

(4) Saturday morning hike up to Lone Pine Lake and back. Talk to those on the Trail (especially descending) about conditions/equipment.

(5) Have lunch at the Whitney Portal Store. Ask the owner and staff for insights. They have a wealth of wisdom based on several decades of experience. Also hang out a few yards away at the Trail Head and see what hikers coming off the Mountain say.

(6) Afternoon on your own: Fish in Lone Pine Creek, relax at the Waterfall, or hike up the Meysan Trail.

(7) Camp at the Horseshoe Meadows Walk In Campground (50 minute drive from Whitney Portal).

(8) On Sunday hike to the Cottonwood Lakes and back. Again, do not hesitate to ask folks about conditions/equipment.

(9) Head back home. Digest the new information you acquired.

Notes:

(1) On the Portal and Horseshoe Meadow Roads consider picking up hitchhikers. They can be a source of practical info.

(2)Any food/equipment you have can get some trial use on this weekend outing.

(3) The above is based on my Old School bias. I took careful note when my dad (Alan) once told me "One simple experiment can be more valuable than a thousand expert opinions."

Enjoy your outing. Also it would be helpful to others if could contribute a Trip Report on this Message Board after your hike.

Jim

From the perspective of testing oneself on 14,000 ft. I like to suggest hiking the Sierra White Mt. 14,264. It is about 7 miles one way from trailhead at 11,680 ft. No permit required, and class 2 trail. You are in CA high altitude for quite a long time round trip.

1st Check: When you arrive at the trailhead to rest/sleep before the hike, and does not experience any altitude sickness, it is a good sign that you can proceed to hike.

Anytime you are feeling unwell, turn around, and drive out.

Due to heavy snow winter, please check with ranger to see if you can drive to the trailhead.

Thanks so much for the reply and detailed response Jim F and ThinAir hiker! I'm really blown away and appreciate it. I really think it is a great idea to experience the Sierras themselves and it is actually something I didn't think about before. I guess because of the long drive time/money concerns but the preparation a hike like that could provide does seem to outweigh the costs, so thank you for the new suggestion I hadn't really thought about!
I'm not so sure about asking about conditions of people doing the hike now honestly (although I did read a few), because it may not be indicative of what I will experience in 3+ weeks. I'm just wondering what the general consensus of what weather will be like then and what specific hiking supplies (helmet and/or crampons etc.) I would need.
I agree, the discussion with employees at the portal store would be invaluable. I will respond with a trip report after the hike. I was planning to hike it in one day, but also I planned to get into camping/fishing more so maybe camping/fishing there and learning would indeed be best. Hiking Sierra White Mt. really does seem like one of the best preps possible!, I will discuss with friends and hope we can do it. Thanks again so much.

i will just restate the walk in campground at the Portal is a great option, get there as early as possible there are usually sites available even during the busy season. Spending the night at elevation makes all the difference in the world regarding acclimation.

Just a minor correction - White Mountain Peak is in the White Mountains.

I didn't want anyone to be confused. I agree that it's a very good way to prepare for Mt. Whitney's elevation, if you don't mind the road to the trailhead.

Thanks all! Much appreciated. Yeah I went in thinking me and friend could try the drive from So Cal and hike in one go/day but the evidence of benefits of camping for acclimation is overwhelming. Since we're not experienced campers there is a little hesitation if something happens like not being able to get any sleep in a new environment, but it looks like the benefits of the acclimation probably outweigh the risk of camping/sleep problems.

I would say being a little tired is less problematic than not being acclimated. Assuming you plan a super early start like most people, getting to bed extra early on top of being at 8,000ft can be tough but worth it. With long days and hiking down in some dark you could start a little later and get the rest you need. Worst case rent a bear can and be able to secure your food- take a nap on your way up. A mylar emergency blanket is a good accessory for a trail side nap.... I'm a big fan of getting a nice rest part way up but that does make it take a lot longer obviously, but also helps with acclimation to make it up to 10K or more and then rest a bit...
sounds like you are doing your research and will be fine have a great hike/
kinda neat, we'll actually be camping at Onion Valley the 13th getting acclimated to go over Kearsarge on the 14th, we'll wave at you from Independence haha...

What about sleeping at White Mountain trailhead?

Oh, I was just referring to hiking up White Mountain Peak. Sleeping there? That's crazy! And I've heard that the marmots there chew through radiator hoses.

What about sleeping
at the White Mountain trailhead?
That would be crazy!

I'm offended, and
I'm not crazy, just large-boned
Lawyers are next, pal...

But being crazy's
not necessarily bad!
Just ask Jack Northam.

You can camp at High View campground at about 8k on the road to the visitor center and on to the White Mtn trailhead. It's a nice CG but dry - bring all the water you'll need.

I asked Crazy Jack.
Box cutter in hand, he said:
"Hike high and sleep low."

Being a Floridian I am not an expert on Whitney, but believe camping at a high altitude and a day hike to an even higher elevation (such as Kearsarge Pass) may be very beneficial to your Whitney attempt.
Did the Whitney trail once without hiking poles - coming down was brutal on my senior knees - used poles the next two times.
Best advice I received was from Mr. Doug - the goal is not the summit, but getting back to the trail head safely.
Cheers!