Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Clearing the roads

I will be up on May 2nd-3rd. Does anyone know when the Forest service clears the road to the Portal and the road to Horseshoe meadows?

Also: is the Whitney Portal Store open that early in May?

The Whitney Portal road and Horseshoe Meadow roads are county roads (as are most roads to trailheads in the Eastern Sierra). The Forest Service does not either close, open or maintain these roads. The Inyo County Road Dept. does...you can call for updates and anticipated opening dates by calling 760 878-0202.

I was up to the Portal in mid April 2001 the road was clear and open, the Portal Store open and the mosquitos were open for business, too.

It all depends on the winter. Base on what I saw 10 days ago the road will cleared and open to the Portal by May 1st.

Bill

I was camping in Grays Meadow Campground outside of Independance and drove up to Onion Valley. The road was clear and looked as if it had just been cleaned off. 3 to 4 feet of snow covered Onion Valley Campground. I was going to drive up the portal road but was having an overheating problem and had to get back home.

Jimjoebillybob: You said there was 3-4 feet of snow at Onion Valley Campground. Do you know what elevation that campground is at?

Tom, Onion Valley is at about 9100 feet.

Onion Valley is 9200'. At least that is what the sign says.