Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board North Fork Lone Pine creek route

Has anyone ever done this route (also called the circumnavigation route). I'm looking for information on the route from Iceberg Lake, down thru Artic Lakes and ending at Guitar Lake. I have a Trail Crest exit permit for Sept 19 and an entry permit for Sept 15 on the North Fork route. I know it won't take all 5 days so we're looing for side trips until our exit permit is good. Do you think they would let us down to Trail Camp on the 18th with a hike out on the 19th? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I did this route a few years ago and will be doing a very similar route this summer. From Iceberg Lake you climb to the Whitney-Russell pass. There are use trails part of the way. Otherwise, it's just going up some scree.

Once at the top (maybe a 500-foot climb?), you're in boulder territory. You hardly need a map, the way to go being obvious. You just head down the far side in a wide curve, staying near but not usually at the lowest point in the valley. It's all rock, no vegetation.

Just go from one Arctic lake to the next. You'll see Guitar Lake when you're quite distant from it. I'd say it might be near impossible to get lost on this part of the circumnavigation. Just keep heading downhill.

When I went the first time, it was in late September. As I recall, I went over the pass, to Guitar Lake, and then over Trail Crest and to the Portal in one day, taking one day less than I had anticipated.

Just as well, since late that afternoon the whole mountain, all the way down to the Portal, was hit with the season's first snow storm--and it was big. Day hikers I passed in Bighorn Park may have been among those who stumbled down from the top and begged to squeeze into tents at Trail Camp--the trail was obliterated, they couldn't find their way, and they weren't dressed for cold weather, let alone for snow.

Kkeating describes the route well. It's a fun route and I doubt you'll see anyone between the Whitney-Russell saddle and Guitar Lake. Here are my pictures from a similar trip last year...

http://www.digitalalpine.com/Albums/HaleWhitney8.11.07.1/album/index.html

You can ask for alternate dates when you arrive at the Visitors Center. There may be cancellations on a later entry date or walk-in exit space for an earlier date available. Nothing is cast in stone until you sign your permit. Technically, you cannot stay at Trail Camp on the 18th, but you can stay at Trail Camp on the 19th and hike out on the 20th.

What is that between the lakes in pic # 68 of your album?
Looks like an awful lot of gear to get to that location.

Interesting, especially when you zoom in.

paul

I'm not really sure what the huge tent setup was for. Maybe Doug or Ken might know?

Beats me. I'd normally think hunter's camp or fisherman's camp. I can't imagine that got there without pack support. I see two people, I think, in the picture, and they have one of those shower tents, too.

That was the tent for the trail workers that were workin' on Trail Crest last August. That was the saddle between the Hitchcock Lakes, right? Cool peeps, nice setup!!!

-L

Laura, I think you may be right! I was disoriented as to place, and thought that was in the Arctic drainage. But Hitchcock is where it would be logical to work from.

Can someone get Ken's statement notarized? He said "Laura was right!"

Thanks for all the info. Another question? Considering I have 5-6 days I can spend in the area, can anyone recommend a different route? What about NAP or Cottonwood Lakes trail? Really the only thing set in stone is my Trail Crest exit on 9/19.

Anyone have any comments on Meysan Lake, NAP or Cottonwood trail. I have 4-5 days to backpack with a 9/19 Trail Crest exit. As I understand it these routes rarely meet the quota so there are always permits available. Is that correct? Any thoughts on which is the most scenic, most difficult, most isolated, etc....

Thanks,

New Army Pass or Cottonwood pass are great ways to enter the wilderness on the way to Mt. Whitney. Both are scenic, less crowded and provide a chance to gradually adjust to the elevation before heading too high. Both have a trail all the way to the Mt. Whitney Summit.

You could start here
http://www.sshs57.com/photos/040819Whitney1.htm

Meysan Lake is a possibility, but after Meysan Lake it is a cross country all the way to Trail Crest. This is a ton of work in a short distance on the map. If your favorite thing is cross country with a backpack, this may be for you. If you want the security of a trail pass this one up.

Details of these options are found in Paul Richins Jr's Guide to Mt Whitney, which covers all the routes to Mt. Whitney. It has nice maps and lots of information on alternative routes.

Thanks Heather. I have the book you are refering to. I just wanted a first hand account. I like the idea of NAP with a trail crest exit. The link to the photos was great. I'll be up there on 9-15 if anyone is in the area and wants to join us.

Here is another set of pictures from Horseshoe Meadows to Mt. Whitney. Sure is a nice area.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/551991927dpoMGU?start=0

DrHabes posted this report of the trip a while back.

"heart_of_a_tiger:

I have made the trip from Cottonwood Meadows to Whitney Portal twice (1997 and 2003). Both times up and over NAP, down to the lower Rock Creek area, through Crabtree Meadows, Guitar Lake up to Whitney and down to the Portal."

"DAY 1: Cottonwood Meadows, up over Cottonwood Pass and follow the PCT route to lower Rock Creek area (Perrin Creek) Great campsite here with a bear box on the South side of the creek.
Highest elevation = 11,514 ft.
distance = 12.41 miles
elevation gain = 2,063ft. elevation loss = 2,401ft.

DAY 2: Continue following PCT up over Guyot Pass (Fill with water at Guyot Creek- last water until Crabtree Meadows!), pass Crabtree Meadows, Timberline Lake and Guitar Lake. Camp approx. 3/4 mile above Guitar (easy water source and closer to the summit the next day)
Highest elevation = 11,600ft.
distance = 9.22 miles
elevation gain = 2,865ft. elevation loss = 864ft.

DAY 3: Leave early for the summit (3.74 miles away) up the switchbacks of the West side. Drop your packs at Trail Junction, summit and hike the additional 11 miles back to Whitney Portal.
Highest elevation = 14,497ft.
distance = 14.74 miles
elevation gain = 3,831ft. elevation loss = 7,120ft.

Obviously the last day is the toughest but well worth the effort. Just m2c. The scenery is spectacular and a great way to see Mt. Whitney."