Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Stream flow into Trail Camp pond

I'm planning my first day hike next week and this site has been a tremendous help for preparation, and I'm very grateful for all the insight and advice. I'm looking forward to it, the weather forecast seems ok, and I plan to leave my I-pod at home. However, one question I still have, which is discussed at length in the message board, is how much water to carry. I'll probably carry too much to start with; but I'm curious how the flow currently is at the stream feeding the Trail Camp pond. Seems like this would be an ideal place to fill up both directions, if it's reliable. Thanks again for the great message board and for your comments.

Bob-san

No need to carry much water from Portal trailhead to Trail camp as there are many places on the way to get water.Trail camp has the last reliable water.From TC you will need to carry water.

Bob-san - a reasonable water strategy is for each hiker to leave the portal with 2 liters of water plus 1 or 2 empty liter bottles. The first 2 liters should last until Outpost Camp where they can be refilled. These next 2 liters should last until Trail Camp where you refill all 3 or 4 bottles for the summit push. There is a spring about 1/3 up the switchbacks, but it can be frozen solid before sunrise. Good luck!!

My guess the stream flowing into the Trail Camp Pond is near dry, as is the flow of water over the Switchbacks. The winter of 2007 was record setting dry.

Everyone one has a strategy for hydrating along the MMWT, mine is to stop, eat and max out my water for the summit at Trailside Meadow. This is about half way to the top and is more pleasant than Trail Camp by a lot.

I will usually use the Switchbacks on my return but as I mentioned late in a dry year this source maybe gonzo.

This picture Bob R took on Sept 1 shows water still flowing into the lake at Trail Camp. We had no trouble getting water her on Aust 24.

I sumitted 9/6. On the way up there is plenty of water up to Trail Camp. As someone posted earlier, there is water between the 23rd and 27th switchback ON THE WAY DOWN. It's frozen until later in the day. Ooohhh, that cool water tasted great as I was on the switchbacks during the afternoon. I took 4 liters to the top as my hydration needs are more than most people. When I refilled on the switchbacks I had one liter left. Hopefully this helps. Good luck!!

Just got off the trail 3 hrs ago. No problems with water at all. Plenty of flow into Trail Camp sump. Also in stream to the left at far end of Trail Camp. Flow was good in the morning and better in the afternoon at the switchbacks. Weather was clear Sept 4 thru today. High in the fifties on the summit, no wind anywhere. What happened, is this real???

Trail Camp Sump, LOL that's a new one to me...Glad you had good weather and trip...mark

May I ask how the Cables Area was in terms of snow/ice and passing through there?

They have been clear of snow/ice since i went thru in late July.I am pretty sure there hasn't been any snow storms since then.

We were there first week of August & there was zip. Went through this past Monday & was surprised to see some ice in the corner of the trail & wall. Doesn't impede your hiking thou. Guess it's just starting to get a bit colder in general.

I was there on Wednesday and getting thru the cables is not a problem, and probably won't be for the near future, barring a snow storm. Permanent ice is beginning to build up, but there only one place where it pushes you towards the cables to avoid it. The cold air was moving in on Wednesday - didn't get too much above freezing above 11K, so I suspect the rate of ice build-up will increase a bit. Down in the valley the temps this morning were most pleasant. Can begin to sleep with a window open ...