Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board HST Conditions Update

July 12 to 15 my daughter and I hiked the High Sierra Trail (from Crescent Meadow to the summit of Mt Whitney). Some observations follow.

The snow bridge that collapsed just after the exit of the tunnel above the Hamilton Lakes is (very) easily bypassed.

Much of the trail from Precipice Lake up over the Kaweah Gap and down a bit into the Big Arroyo is still covered with snow. Collapsing snow bridges are currently a real concern. These areas of concern can be bypassed with a little work, often by selecting an alternte route and doing some simple boulder hopping.

To cross Big Arroyo Creek between the Kaweah Gap and the Patrol Cabin, we saw no option but to walk across the creek. The strong current made a hiking stick essential for remaining vertical.

In the Kern Trench:

(1) The first branch of Rock Creek (just before the Kern Hot Springs) is easily crossed on a log just upsteam. Crossing the other branches is easy.

(2) To cross Whitney Creek, go upstream about 75 yards to where some kind person has placed 3 logs securely side by side for a safe crossing.

(3) To cross Wallace Creek, go downstream about 50 yards to two logs spanning the creek, one on top of the other. The upper log has branches for solid hand holds, while the bottom log provides footholds.

Crossing Wright Creek between Junction Meadow and the junction with the JMT can be simply walked across in shoes, while one can walk across Wallace Creek at the JMT junction without shoes.

The HST from Guitar Lake to the summit of Mt Whitney and then down to Trail Camp has trivial amounts of snow. The spring at the 23rd switchback is flowing wildly.

A giant and delicious double cheeseburger, as well as good company was encountered at the Whitney Portal Store.

The traditional players (one thunderstorm, five bears, one snake, amd millions of mosquitos) weres dealt with in the usual manner.

For those who have put a HST hike on hold because of the heavy snowfall this year, now is the time to go for it.

Have a good hike on the trail that goes from the tallest trees to the biggest mountain.

Jim

Any info re the bear lockers on the HST? SEKI says they're going to start removing them, but haven't provided details. I'll be heading that way in September.

Mike,

I am not aware of any concerted effort by SEKI to remove the bear boxes. However, their website does mention an effort to "remove broken and unused" bear boxes.

I believe that there is some frustration that the bear boxes are at times used as trash disposal units by some hikers. Incidentally,the Patrol Cabin you will encounter in the Big Arroyo has been locked many years in part because it was used as a giant trash can by some.

My own feeling (admittedly not based on any science) is that the proper use of backcountry bear boxes has contributed to some of the success in the "Keep the Bears Wild" program. The situation seems much better than a few decades ago. For example, the five bears we encountered on this hike were not near our campsite. Rather they were randomly spotted off the trail foraging natural food. We saw a couple strip bark off fallen trees in search of insects. This is in contrast to my first crossing of the High Sierras on the HST in 1959 when much our food supply was "cleaned out" at our campsite the first night by a big and determined visitor.

Today, I consider it a privilege to encounter and to observe this great creature in its natural setting.

We wish you a fine trip on the HST. September can be a splendid and special time of year up there.

Jim

I have my doubts about the bear box removal program. After they announced it, the middle bear box at Franklin Lake was removed, but the higher one was replaced with a new larger model.

I find them incredibly useful, and a good argument could be made for installing a lot more of them. Of course, budget concerns would dictate "privatizing" food protection by mandating cannisters, but that will not end misplacing of human garbage,failing to properly use cannisters, hanging food, etc. The only way to eliminate knucklehead behavior from the wilderness is to ban humans. I'm for more lockers.

Thanks for the report!
I have (now tentatively because of a slowly recovering broken ankle) scheduled a trip from T Meadows, along the JMT to the HST and out on the HST at Wolverton Creek. My trip wouldn't start until Aug 30 and end on or about Sept. 20 but knowing conditions today helps with the condition forcast for later.
I was surprised (and thrilled) to hear that you saw 5 bears in 4 days. That's an impressive number of sightings. I've been in those parts many times and have yet to see 1...though looking forward to it immensely!
thanks
Bryan