Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Shortcut to Horseshoe - Lubken Canyon Rd?

Anyone know if it is shorter / easier to take Lubken Cyn Rd from 395 - about 5KM before Lone Pine? Rather than going into Lone Pine up Whitney Paortal RD then on Horseshoe Meadow Rd?

On Google Maps it looks like it will save at least 20 minutes? Or is Lubken tiny? dirt?

Anyone?

icharry:
That is a good shortcut. The road is very old and very narrow. The last part feels like your driving up somebody's driveway. But I've never had any problems and it does save a little time.

I take that road often, if I am going to Horseshoe meadows. It saves about 10 miles not going in to town. If you are coming from the south, you turn left at the big RV park onto Lubkin Canyon road. The name of the RV park escapes me at the moment.

The road is a small two lane road. It has ups and downs and you shouldn't drive to fast on the first section. Sometimes we have seen cattle on the road.

THANKS... and 1 more thing, do I need a permit to just camp there? Are they often full, or are there almost always spots?

Horseshoe Meadows have two camping areas. If you get there at a reasonable time in the afternoon there are usually available spots. I have only seen if full once, late in the day and probably a weekend. No reservations needed and it seems like the camp sites are about $6 per night.

You can also day hike many peaks around the area without a permit. That would include Wanoga peak (off the road coming in), Trail peak, Cirque peak or the 19 mile round trip 14000 foot Mt. Langley.

I think the turnoff is at the Boulder Creek RV park

If you are backpacking you still have to get a permit at the IVC.

I rarely use Lubken Cyn. Rd. because in need a bp permit on the way in and a pizza on the way out.