Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board confused

Okay, before anyone reads this, give a new guy a break.

My buddy and I are gonna go for the summit up the trail in early spring. We know the snow will be heavy and are trained and prepared for it. However, I have been having trouble figuring out exactly the kind of conditions that we will face (i.e. snowpack, temp on the mountain, etc). I have tried the ****** station (or at least I thought it was the right one) and could not get through....maybe it was my phone.

And yes, I tried the link for weather on this site and could not make heads or tails out of what I was reading....

Given that, does anyone have any info for us.

Also, even though there is a wealth of information out there (I bought the guide book written by the owners of the Store--good book), I cannot find any info on camping during the off season at the Portal Campground and any permits we need (for camping and hiking)...I am confused by some of the info I have found...plus the website for the Forest Service was not working... (However, if I ever get a hold of a ****** I am sure they can answer this question too....). I figure I should go to the source and ask the more experienced people who go there a lot.

Any info will help....Thanks!!!

Okay, I am new here, but I guess I cannot say ******...so I meant Forest Service Station.....sorry.....

Hi Off season hiking is a hard call, campgrounds are closed, we are closed, permits are by self issue and weather is changing by the hour. Road is closed about 4 miles below the Portal, The trail is gone until about mid June for hikers, but great winter mountaineering . Foot tracks in the area may or may not go to where you want to go ,major problem the last few weeks before the permit system starts( May 1 ) many false starts and loop trails to nowhere so map skill is needed. Thanks and good luck Doug

Why can't folks say "r*a*n*g*e*r?"

It is not the included: anger

Hi Confused,

One great tip I once got was to start out at midnight, Reason being that when your're going up, at least the snow is frozen and you will be walking on top, thus not postholeing as much....which is what kills me!
Mind you, you require headlamps, which aren't bad, but if you've never been there before and kinda know the trail, it is difficult.
I also find it difficult in the spring due to the amount of run off and the creeks can be swollen and difficult to cross.
I'm sure you know, there is a ton of snow this year in that area, so take snowshoes mostly for the decent, or simply slide down but watch out for the bolders!!!
It's a tough test, you can't train for atitude so please realize when you've gone far enough.

Best of luck,
Lance