Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Snow melt predictions

I have an option to go next weekend (June 26) and July 10. From reading the boards, I take it the ice/snow will most likely still be on the main trail on the June date. I'm wondering if an extra two weeks may be enough time for it to melt. If not, I'll probably just do the first weekend (otherwise, it's obviously quicker without having to use crampons so I would choose July). I know nobody can predict the future but does anyone have a sense as to the melt rate and where we're likely to be over the next few weeks (assuming the weather stays as is)?

This is a really rough way to estimate, but check out the White Mountain peak cam:

http://128.111.23.109/camD.html

You can view pictures from last week, last month, last year, etc. It's over 14,000 feet like Whitney, but it is much drier and receives a lot less snowfall. That being said, it will give you and idea how much snow can melt in a few weeks time.

This <A href="http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/current/PLOT_SWC">water content plot</A> site has been referenced in a number of posts. Even though the bottom chart look like the content will go down to zero the end of the month, there still will be snow/water on parts of the trail

I was looking at Rick Kent's Thor Peak photos. In the North Fork there is still significant snow above about 10500 feet.

This photo was taken looking down toward trail camp. It shows the switchback area and the hill people are taking up to trail crest.

<a href="http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewphoto.asp?ID=52535">Rick Kent photo</a>

It is apparent there will still be a lot of snow for a few more weeks.