Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Hiking on June 1, 2005

This is my first time at this site. I only hiked from the Whitney campground up to a lake ( not sure of the name of it, but it was about a 3 hr round trip) about 4 yrs ago.

I am hoping to be in Lone Pine on or about June 1, 2005. If I drive to the campground , how far will I be able to hike without any problems with snow? I do not know the elevations, etc.. So don’t know if I will be able to get real far. I would like to hike up at least 2 hours ( 5miles ) or so. I don't want to get there and be disappointed I can't hike.

The lake you are probably referring to is Lone Pine Lake, which sits up the trail about 3 1/2 miles just under 10000 feet. Expect the first part of the trail to be dry, from 8360 feet up to about 9000 - 9500 feet. By the time you get to the lake, the snow could be mostly solid.

Take a look at Bob R's photos, recently taken...especially #4. A large U shaped canyon plaueau is visible on the left. That is where Lone Pine Lake sits, right in back of the line of trees on the eastern edge.
<a href="http://members12.clubphoto.com/robert634908/3255759/guest.phtml">Bob R photos</a>

There is still a bunch of snow up there, with about 2 weeks to go before June.

Cassock recently reported needing crampons and Ice axe at Mirror Lake and beyond, which is a mile or so west of Lone Pine Lake.

I was on the main Trail yesterday (5/15) Went from Portal to just below Lone Pine Lake. Considerable snow from about 9,500 feet up. I was told that there is still 18 feet of snow on the switchbacks above Trail Camp. While there will be melt off in the next two weeks, there will still be considerable snow, probably from OutpostCamp (10200 ft.) up. Certainly crampons/ice axe will be necessary.