Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Early June hike - current conditions/gear question

I'm hiking Whitney the first week of June and have a couple question since I'm traveling a distance to get there.

Anyone know the conditions on the main trial now or how they might be in three weeks? Curious if I need to bring crampons or an ice axe.

Also, what type of boots would you recommend for the hike? Heavy backpacking boots, lighter boots or trail shoes?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but this is a start thanks

I don't live in California (Colorado Native) but a rule of thumb for any hiker, hiking mountains any where is check the weather and see what it is supposed to do a few days before you leave and then definetly check the day of and be prepared for any type of weather.

Trail conditions I couldn't say because I'm not there but June in California is usually pretty warm and my guess is that the majority of the snow will be melted off the trail.

On foot wear I would say wear what ever is comfortable as long as it is going to keep your feet dry and has good traction being the main trail is only class 1.

We're pretty experienced hikers, so if I had my preference I'd just wear trail shoes, but all the reading I've done about the trail, length and potential for snow levels makes me question what to bring.

Again, I'll be flying out so if I don;t have to lug crampons and axes that would be ideal.

Any locals have insight on current conditions.

As far a footwear. How has this board hiked before?

The switchers are NNE facing, so tend to hold snow and ice a bit longer. I shot a few pics of the upper switchers and Trail Crest from Lone Pine Lake Sunday:



... and it looks like there is a fair amount up there. It is really warming up here in the OV, and up high (nice up at 12K on Olancha Saturday), which means more melt-freeze cycles and icy conditions once the sun dips behind the ridge. Ran into Ranger Dave yesterday, who said the snow slope up to TC was in "beautiful" condition for skis. As well, Steve Larson was up on Arc Pass Friday and found highly variable (from hard pack to sugar to mush) conditions.

Three weeks is a long time. Keep checking the weather reports, check back here for photo/beta updates. Worst case scenario: if you think you might need the gear, take it. Only ascend as high as you think you can safely descend.

-L

As for gear, I can't help you there. It's a little to early to tell. But, the weather is supposed to be sunny and above averge temperatures for the next week or so. There should be some good run off this week with snow levels climbing.

Well, I'm dong a 3 day trip starting on May 28th. I will try to give you a report here about conditions and equipment when I get back off the mountain. I've hiked it later in the year, but, like you, very nervous about what to put in my pack.

Right now, I am planning on just high quality waterproof hiking boots and gaitors. But have the axes and such waiting in the wings.

If anyone else has recent 12000+ ft conditions report, it would be much appreciated.

Three weeks is a long time, but not thatlong. Based on conditions last Friday here's what I think:

* There will be plenty of mandatory snow travel above 11-12K on north-facing and sheltered areas.
* A lot of that will be isothermal crap in the afternoon. Plenty of opportunities to get your feet nice and wet on the way up to Trail Camp and coming down from the summit.
* When the sun goes down it will ice up. Nice, firm walking in the morning.
* The boot track will be well-established (it already is), and provide good travel, except in heavily sun-affected areas, which will turn to faithless junk in the afternoon.

I wore trail runners all the way to Consultation Lake, which was fine in the morning, but not so good in the PM. I wore my mountaineering boots all the way down to Lone Pine Lake (still a lot of big, gushy snow banks down there). I also had snowshoes, which were pretty useful in sun-exposed areas below 12K.

It will have dried out a lot by the first week of June, but by no means completely. If I were coming from a distance I'd bring whatever footwear I felt comfortable would keep my feet dry in slop and also take a crampon, an axe, and the lightest pair crampons I owned. If people are coming down from the mountain saying you really need snowshoes, I think you can rent them in Lone Pine, so no need to bring them (probably won't be needed when you come anyway).

Hope that helps.