Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Winter Early This Year

I just read a special weather statement issued by the Hanford NWS office. It says that snow and cold weather in the Sierra are only a day or two away. I'm very disappointed as I was hoping to get some more hiking in October. Last year I went backpacking in the middle of October and the weather was terrific. From the looks of things, I don't think it will be that way this year.

Here's the link:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/warnings.php?wfo...HER%20STATEMENT

I had no problem getting to Trail Camp in November 2005 after a moderate amount of snow in September.

There are plenty of trails where small amounts of snow will not be an issue. All you need is the right gear and clothing.

BACK COUNTRY LONGER RANGE TRAVELERS GET OUT BY TUESDAY AM OR BE PREPAIRED FOR WINTER CONDITIONS....THE WEATHER AT 10,000 FEET WEDNESDAY MORNING IS SHOWING LIGHT SNOW, TEMPS IN THE LOW TEENS WITH BREEZY CONDITIONS

This is from the Mammoth Weather site for next week.

My friends and I are going up Monday and Tuesday...should be fun if it's not windy. 3 passes will clear up for monday and tuesday overnight, since 3 of my group could not make it. We're only staying monday night.

Changing colors and a light dusting of snow...sounds like the perfect time to get out and snap some photos of gorgeous scenery...

Since winter is my favorite time of year, I'm lovin' it.

And I thought there was Global Warming? Winter early,weak Califonia summer. What happened to all of the heat like the good ol days?

I heard that just because regionally there is a change that doesn't mean that it's global. In other words, even if the Sierra has cooler summers and longer colder winters doesn't mean there's no global warming. I'm wondering what other people think about this.

that is true right but one year or two dont really mean anything, but if you look world wide and over an extended amount of time there is no way to deny golbal warming. Look at Glaicer np that is proof, and world wide there are signs of this, we wont see this in our life time to but our children and grand children will so by doing our part we are saving the beauty we have enjoyed for our children and generations to come hike on and enjoy the beauty of whitney just think, if all the people that hiked there took as much care everyday as they do to take care of the mountain that would make quite a change in our world lets all strive to help our planet

Nextdrink:
Are you forgetting the horrendous almost month-long heat wave of this past summer? I wouldn't call it particularly weak. Strange, but not weak.
-L

The weather was fine in the Eastern Sierras on Sat. and Sun. On Saturday, I did a day hike to Koip Peak Pass from Rush Creek trailhead in June Lake. It was 22 miles and a GREAT hike, wonderful prep hike for Whitney if anyone has a mind to do it. Elevation gain is 5,000 feet, fabulous views.

It was overcast and cloudy, but the temps were warm for this time of year. Obviously weather can change any time in October, but Mammoth locals told me they don't see any snow till November. They base this on the leaf color, acorns falling and other weird things like this.

Candace, you recently posted the areas where you think the fall colors are good. It seems to have disappeared. Can you post the list again?

Richard,

I was in Rock Creek (north of Bishop) out of the Mosquito Flat trailhead and found the colors to be amazing. Entire hillsides covered in yellow!

Oh, the Bishop Visitor's Center puts out a guide to fall colors, in case you're interested.

Gusto