Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Anyone ever camped at Onion Valley campground?

Hello, We are going to camp up at onion valley campground in late august for two days before we do Mt. Whitney. Anyone ever been there ? What's it like. Are there lots of trees at the campground? Whats there to do in the area ?

Thanks

Onion Valley is higher than the Portal so fewer trees and more barren. Not bad, mind you. Just different. Lots of good hikes from there. But, another option to adjust to altitude would be Horseshoe Meadows and the Cottonwood area which is at 10,000 feet. I think Onion is closer to 9,000. Either will work and you will enjoy wherever you go.

Onion Valley is a great place to camp. Over the last five years I have camped there three or four nights each year acclimating for my Whitney hikes. You can day hike up to Kersarge Pass, which was an old Native American trading route way back when. There are several very nice lakes on the way to the pass and there is good fishing in most of them. There is also a lake that contains Golden trout but you have to do a bit of off trail hiking to get there. The campground mangager can give you the specifics if you want to know more. Do watch your pack closely when going up to the pass. If you put it down, keep it close to you as bears have been known to make off with them. By the way, each campground has a bear box. I've never had a problem with the bears either in my campsite or on the trail but they are aroung. Make reservations as it can get full on weekends. Have a great time. Bobd

I do not think there are hiker in sites like WP. I love the hike up to Kearsarge Pass and then Mt. Gould.

It's a great place to acclimate. You can easily climb high sleep low. Kearsarge Pass is a good day hike, 10 miles out and back, 2500' elevation gain. There are several lakes along the way if you want to take your time or not go that far. When I was there 3 years ago the camp host was very helpful. Enjoy your stay!

You may want to make sure the Onion Campgrounds are still there. I came out of Shepards Pass Trailhead Saturday and there were high flames over that way. We were able to drive out, but the road was closed coming in. It may have been effected by the fire.