Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Onion Valley to Whitney Portal in 27 Hours

Well...if you don't count the time I spent sleeping and hanging out by my tent, it took me 27 hours. I actually started on Friday, 8/1 and finished on Tuesday, 8/5. As I was planning this trip, I was feeling impressed with myself, until I read about Richard and Laura doing this in 25 hours!
Thanks to this message board I was able to connect with Gary who offered to shuttle me over to the Kearsarge Pass trailhead. This was an incredible blessing and made the trip possible. I had alternate plans in case his offer didn't pan out, but he was as generous as he promised, so everything came together. The weather was absolutely gorgeous most of the time. Had a little bit of rain Monday afternoon, and almost made it out on Tuesday before everything broke loose beginning at Outpost Camp. There was the usual thunder, lightning flashes, rain, and hail. A few of the lightning flashes and thunder claps happened simultaneously below Lone Pine Lake, which made things real interesting.
I met some nice people doing the High Sierra trail (my next goal)and others finishing the John Muir trail whose packs were all lighter than mine! I'm getting better with my pack weight, but still have a long ways to go. I tried going without a stove and fuel, which I didn't mind, but need to make some modifications on that as well. Here's my food list and schedule if interested:

Breakfast - Probar, Swiss Miss hot (cold) chocolate w/marshmallows
Lunch - Boboli w/peanut butter
Dinner - Quaker Oats apple & cinnamon oatmeat w/raisens, hot (cold) chocolate w/marshmallows
Energy - Gu, Snickers, M & M peanuts, Cytomax
The oatmeal was actually pretty good after soaking in water for 3-4 minutes. The Boboli was okay, but began getting moisture in the ziplocs. I discovered that hot chocolate evidently needs heat to help the powder dissolve in water, but it was decent.

Fri. - Drove up got the walk in permit, found Gary who drove me to trailhead, and then hiked in to Flower Lake.
Sat. - Went a mile or so up Vidette Meadow.
Sun. - Stayed at the ponds past Tydall Creek
Mon. - Tarn above Guitar Lake
Tues. - Out to Portal, burger and a shower at the Hostel.

Finally, thanks to Doug, for this message board, and to the regular contributors who share their knowledge and allow me to experience (vicariously) their journeys.
Brian

Was there water available on the lower part of the switchbacks? A group of us are doing the trip on Saturday and want to know where the last water will be.

The thing that got me to the point where I knew I was going to try this in one push was doing it in 22 hours over three days.

Now on my list is doing it in 7 ... days.

It is such beautiful country that taking your time makes it more worthwhile.

Now that sounds like a great backpacking trip. Might have to add this on my list of "to do's"...

MC

Brian,

Glad to hear you made it according to plan. I saw the clouds moving in on Monday as I was heading home and wondered if you would get caught up in the weather coming over Trail Crest.

There is plenty of water flowing on the lower portion of the switchbacks, especially in the afternoon. I am not sure what the number of the switchback is, but I am sure you can find the answer by searching for water sources on the main trail.

Gary

Senior Boyd - there was water coming out of the mountain about 1/2 way down (or up - depends on which way you're going) the switchbacks on the eastern side. If you're coming up the back side the tarn past Guitar Lake is a good spot.
Richard - That area certainly is beautiful and one could easily spend 7 days exploring. With the exception of my first day, I was plenty tired when I got to camp. The thought of completing this trip in one push is beyond my comprehension or ability! I enjoy reading the ultra-marathon trip reports that you, Laura, and Alan post. They are good ideas for multi day trips for us mortals.
Brian

I think that is great. It is a long way from Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney.