Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mammoth Pass

I know this is about Whitney, but I'm an avid reader, and figure somebody can advise me and/or send me on toward advice. Am thinking about sneaking (i.e., walking) into Devil's Postpile on June 1. Opening date for the road over Minaret Summit is currently June 5. Shortest route looks to be over Mammoth Pass from Lakes Basin. Forest Service website has generic "snow over 9,000 feet" Any thoughts about Mammoth Pass on June 1? Have and will use snowshoes if needed, would rather not. Been in the backpacking racket for 37 years, so I'm neither encumbered by foolishness nor blessed with youthful strength and vigor. I'm also guessing that the road proper will be plowed by then, and a longer but scenic slog on the road is possible. Thoughts, advice, referrals are welcome. --mike

Yeah, I've gone over Mammoth Pass and over to Iva Bell HotSprings, then come OUT at Reds on the day of or two after opening.

I had no snow, but every year is different. Worked great!!!

cannot advise you on current snow conditions if that is the only question.

the route itself(if you have not done it before) is a very, very gentle trail when snowless. Hope this helps.

I went over it June 1st 2007 which was a dryer year. I immediately encountered snow and lost the trail (No Biggie) At least thats what I thought at the time. It was 7am so the snow was bombproof (rockhard) I Had to take the easiest angle since i had no crampons or snowshoes. Had I gone later in the day i would have had no problem. Unfortunately this channeled me into the burn section. So I had to bushwack through about 1-2 miles of loose down trees. Very difficult! The final Daggar was the manzanita that carved my legs. So when you go over the pass head to your right ....dont go straight down or veer left.

this may answer your snow question re: Mammoth Pass area:

"There are a few sites open for camping at Twin Lakes Campground and the rest of the campgrounds remain closed for Memorial Day Weekend. The Lakes are ice free with the exception of George which has just a little snow/ice. All trails from the Lakes Basin are snow covered and trailhead parking is limited. The road through Coldwater Campground to the trailheads remain snow covered and closed."

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/rec-reports/mammoth-north.shtml