Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board North Fork Conditions

Wondering about conditions for getting up the NFLPC. 1) Is there still enough snow in the bottom of the canyon to stay down and bypass the EB ledges? And 2)Would snowshoes be a help or more of a pain in the asset? Hate to take them if not needed. Thanks for any input, and we will be going up starting this Friday morning, the 9th. Bill

Hi Bill,

Was up the M.R. on Sunday 4/4. Still enough snow at the bottom at that time to bypass the ledges. Conditions are changing fast. You should be ok on Friday. I would not take snow shoes. Pain in the derrier to carry and use.(personal opinion)

The snow conditions on the 4th were absolutely perfect. It was very cold and windy 60 mile winds at iceberg temp with wind chill about 7 F.

Anyway good luck and play it safe! Berne aka The "Mountaingoat"

Hope they cleared the avalanche on the road so you don't have to hike 3 miles to the trail head.

Thanks Berne. That is the info I was hoping to get from someone. Great news. As far as the road goes, what is a few extra miles if it is still closed? More time to enjoy the scenery. If it is still closed, we may even hike up to the Portal Thursday night and stay there for the evening. Will depend on how we are feeling when we get to Lone Pine. Thanks again, Bill