Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Short day hikes near Whiteney Portal

Hi folks... looking to be conservative with my 8yo son who will be camping for the first time. We plan on going to Lone Pine Lake but that's it. Do you all know of other scenic hikes for the day near Lone Pine campground or Whitney Portal campground. I want my son to have a great first experience. Our dog is also coming. Thanks. JP

There are two day hikes which come to mind aside from the one to Lone Pine Lake.

The first is Meysan Lakes trail, which is in the Whitney Portal campground- it's well-marked, but if you can't find it, ask Doug or whoever else is at the Portal store. This is a nice workout, though the trail peters out as you near the lake. It's VERY exposed to sunlight and brutally hot with almost no shade, start this one early. I would not begin this later than 7:00 am at the latest.

An even better workout is to start below the portal at the Lone Pine Campground. You'll see it on your left as you're driving up the portal road, it's right after you see the sign "Entering active bear area." Park in the far end of the campground and you'll see a marked trail beginning through sand. This climbs up and takes you to the Portal, where you an go on to Lone Pine Lake-- this is a great, little-used trail. Here is the URL for a good description:

http://www.californiahike.com/hikes/lonepinelake/home.htm

Thank you Candace. Of the 3 trails mentioned which is the most scenic? I am assuming the 2.8 mile hike to Lone Pine lake has the most tree cover? Does Meysan Lake have trees?

We will be staying 2 nights at Lone Pine campground and I have heard of the Lone Pine trail. But besides the workout, the attraction must be the view as you ascent to Portal. I am coming from the high desert 70 miles north of L.A. and our local trails consist of Joshua trees and Quartz (rarely is there shade on our local hikes). So, I am looking for more than rocks and brush to hike through. Thanks. JP

JP, so I assume you live in the Victorville area?
Then you're used to the heat. :-)

Meysan Lake has trees as you get up near the lake, but before that it is very shadeless and dusty. It's fairly scenic, steeper than most of what you'll encounter on the main Whitney trail. Again, not recommended unless you start at daybreak.

The Lone Pine hike is much more scenic, more shade, and if you're departing the Portal at night in order to summit Whitney, then you'll have a good idea of the trail conditions the first 3 miles.

The Lone Pine campground hike is pretty flat, dusty and hot the first 1.3 miles. Then you climb gradually and enter a beautiful forested area with water after about 2 miles. The next 2 miles or so lead you uphill to the Portal-- this is a very beautiful section of the hike.

Thanks Candace. I think we'll do the Lone Pine campground trail late in the day of our arrival at LP campground (2 nights there). We'll only do 2 miles or so late in the afternoon to take in the view and get a acclimated.

The next morning we'll drive up to Portal and hike to Lone Pine Lake. Spend the entire day just hanging out in that area. Saturday morning we'll see how we feel. This camping trip will challenge my 8 yr old boy enough since he's been preoccupied with GameBoys and Playstation games, but he's looking forward to it. This could be the catalyst for him getting outdoors more. Despite daddy running a few marathons and mtn. bike racing, my son is still a typical skateboarding, TV watching, basketball playing kid. He's already worried about being in bear country.

We live in west west Palmdale not far from Leona Valley. But close - your guess - that we lived in Victorville. The California hike website is great! Thanks Candace. Obviously you have been around. JP

JP,

You might want to also consider a drive up to Horseshoe Meadows. The trail to Cottonwood Pass is very nice (trees, a creek or two, etc.) It is rather level for the first few miles and then you can turn around and leisurely walk back. It is a very relaxing area.

That's a consideration for our last day. I heard its about a 40 minute drive from LP campground to Cottonwood TH?

I think we'll check it out. Thanks! Is there a shortcut to the 395 south from there or do I have to drive back to Lone pine?

That sounds a bit long, but I have never driven that exact route. There is only one road up/down to Horseshoe Meadows and you need to go through Lone Pine to get back to 395.

I must tell you that for many years I observed the road leading up to Horseshoe Meadows (somewhat of an eyesore on the mountainside), but I never drove it. I really was not even aware of where that road went. Finally a few years back I planned a backpack out of Horseshoe Meadows (to Kearsarge Pass). When we drove up there I was not expecting much, since I really had never heard anything about the area. I was simply amazed at the beauty that I had missed for so many years.

I would say it is worth driving to just to know what is there.