Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board 2016 Main Trail Conditions

Greg,

As noted by Lars earlier today (7/11), the parking situation during my visits so far this season to Whitney Portal has been like I was living in a dream. Supposedly the road repair project really accelerates today (7/11) and it would be nice to hear about what you experience on your outing tomorrow.

The folks at the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center seem aware parking so far has gone well at Whitney Portal. Possibly there will be a discussion about continuing into next year:

(1) Permitting one car to park per permit

(2) No long term parking at Whitney Portal (for example, storing a car there during three weeks on the JMT).

Jim

Hey Jim F. I have to agree with you and Lars. I arrived at the trailhead at midnight and was surprised at the number of cars there already but had no trouble getting a spot at the lower right hand lot. I think the parking might get to be an issue if the permitting wasn't in place and what a drag that would be in the middle of the night.

My cousin and I had perfect conditions going up. Cool at the trailhead, cold and a light breeze at trail camp (frozen water in the shallow puddles and a few slick spots at the switchbacks), and then gradually warming a bit as the sun came up. I would recommend still packing gloves and a warm hat. Met one guy descending who said it was in the twenties and fairly strong winds at the summit first thing in the morning but when I got there the winds were light and I was fine with two layers on. The knit hat was still working good though.

Still three or four swag bags up there and a few water bottles but for the most part the trail looked good. A great group of fellow hikers that day. Everyone was friendly and pulling for each other and most were respecting the ascending has right of way issue. One last bit of info....the salad with the cheeseburger at the portal store is the way to go.

We arrived at the Portal Monday morning at 2:15a and had ample parking. The only snow we encountered was about 20 yards on the trail less than a mile from the summit. Never had to get my shoes wet at any point. Awesome hike!

My wife and I day hiked and summited (barely) yesterday. We arrived around 6pm on Thursday night and slept in the parking lot. PLENTY of parking in the permit area, maybe 50% full around 6pm, some cars started showing up around 2am (day hikers), but never saw anything close to full. This was in the main area right in front of the trailhead, I would guess that the overflow lot was empty.

As far as the construction, on Thursday we drove up the portal road twice. Once at about 1pm to visit Movie Road about a mile up, and the 2nd time around 430pm to drive all the way to the portal. In both cases, we got stopped very close to the main road for about 15 to wait for a pilot car. There is a 2nd restricted sections further up the mountain, we got lucky and only waited a couple of minutes for a pilot car that time. When we drove off the mountain yesterday/friday around 6pm, it was wide open with no construction or delays.

I took a picture of the noticed posted at the permit office. It says as of Aug 1st, construction runs M-F 6am-730pm, with extended delays 8-11am and 1-4pm.

I am convinced that I would not have summitted if not for the assistance of this board, so if I can answer any questions or share my experience, please feel free to email me thomasbaumann [at] gmail dot com.

After my stay (and daysleep) in the hostel, I parked right across from the trailhead next to the restrooms at about 1:00AM Sat morning Sept.10 and hit the trail at 1:50AM. Lots of empty parking spaces. Perfect weather all the way, 9 hrs up, 5 hrs down with one hour on the summit, no prob! Said hi to Doug and had a well deserved cheeseburger before heading back to L.A. Beautiful weather!

-Dan

Some observations from my Main Trail day hike yesterday (Sun Oct 2):

(1) Quite a bit of patchy snow/ice mixture on the switchbacks. I had running shoes and no poles, but was able to deal with the footing with some caution and extra work.

(2) Clear skies, but chilly and windy. Those with a good jacket and gloves were rewarded.

(3) A few hikers still finishing the long hike from Yosemite Valley on the JMT.

(4) Great Fall Colors at Mirror Lake and Bighorn Park.

Jim

Do you have any pictures you can share?

Hi Kurt,

Sorry, no pictures to share YET. I am an old guy (on the Whitney Summit for both the 50th and 100th anniversary of the Smithsonian Hut) with an embarrassing lack of tech skills. With limited time I still prefer to be on the Mountain than on the Computer.

I realize how useful photos are, as they help the viewer to make a specific evaluation of conditions based on his own individual skill set. One of my plans for the upcoming off season is to get up to speed and to start posting photos on this message board.

Jim

Here are some observations I made yesterday (Wed Oct 12) on a day hike, updating those of Oct 2:

(1) Absolutely no snow or ice on the Trail.

(2) No water flowing on the Switchbacks. Creek at Trailside Meadow now just a trickle. Spring in Bighorn Park flowing well.

(3) No chill or wind. Exceedingly clear in all directions. Near full moon.

(4) No backpacks stored at the junction of JMT/Whitney Trail. (Season winding down for those coming up from the West side.)

(5) Fall colors at Mirror Lake and Bighorn Park dissipating, but seemingly improving below Lone Pine Lake.

Jim

Crazy Jack and I hiked to the summit yesterday. Conditions were somewhat cool and breezy.

That was a bit of comic understatement. It was clear, but cold and extremely windy on 15 October.

Now, as of this afternoon, it looks stormy up there, so it's likely that conditions have worsened.

I'm sure glad you clarified the weather. To me the winds were hurricane strength and the temperature was freezing.

I looks like today I did not have a stroke but a very tired body.

Winter is just around the corner.

Thanks Portal Crew for another great trip.

I don't know what happened on Mt. Whitney overnight, but today looked like a beautiful day to be up there.

Hi all. First time in this forum. My daughter and I along with some of our friends are going to Mt. Whitney this Sunday and will camp at Trail Camp for Monday ascend to Mt. Whitney. I've been watching the weather for next week and it's kinda making me second guess my decision to go.

Just a little background. we are an avid hiker and backpackers but mainly Yosemite Area and Lake Tahoe area. The highest peak that I've been is Cloud Rest, Half Dome and Pyramid Peak. I'm very aware about altitude sickness and been preparing for that part and just a back up, my doctor gave me a prescription for AMS (acetazolamide or Diamox) and for this trip in the last 3 months.

with that said, the weather called for a very windy day on Monday and Tuesday. Is that something that I really need to worry about or I just need to go and use my experience and preparation for it?

Thanks in advanced.

by the way, here's the weather link that I'm looking at:
http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Whitney/forecasts/4418

Hi Gerry,

Your daughter is lucky to have a Dad who is an avid hiker! Under the right conditions Mt Whitney will be a great outing for her.

I am following the weather/conditions on the Mountain, too. The forecast is changing some, and will probably continue to do so.

At this moment, it seems best to head up and establish camp Thursday with summit day on Friday. Thereafter, apparently conditions might deteriorate some.
Consider camping at Outpost Camp (10,365') rather than Trail Camp (12,040'). Outpost Camp is already higher then Pyramid Peak, Clouds Rest and Half Dome. Along with a more tolerable elevation at which to sleep, Outpost Camp is more sheltered and a ranger often camps nearby (out of sight above the waterfall).

If it is not possible to push your outing up a few days, then it seems reasonable to follow the forecast some more and not go if conditions do not look like the outing will be safe/enjoyable. The "Shoulder Season" we are now in can be splendid, as well as deadly. I believe last year on the Mountain there were body recoveries in September, November, and December.

My daughter likes to hike with me on Mt Whitney in July and August when the conditions are often less of a challenge. If you folks do not go up this week, then start planning /training for next Summer and for the many more seasons to follow!

Jim

Here is the forecast that I find most helpful for Whitney. It's at 12,165' (basically Trail Camp), so figure that the summit itself is 6-10 degrees colder, and that the crest itself can be windier and generate its own weather. Nonetheless, I get a pretty good idea from this.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-118.28345&lat=36.57045#.WAWkluArI2x

For next Monday, I don't see wind so much as a possibility of precipitation. The weather forecast will likely change somewhat between now and then, but you would need to be prepared for snow (and ice) in any event. And prepared to turn back if conditions warrant.

Other weather links that may be useful to monitor are:

http://www.easternsierraforecast.com/

http://mammothweather.com/

Hi Jim, it's my daughter who introduce me to hiking and backpacking. I used to do a lot of trail running and then, I injured my knee about 3 years ago and after 6 months of resting it, I started biking and hiking ....then the love for taking things slow on hiking and backpacking started :-)

Thanks for the input. The wilderness permit she got is good for Monday till Wednesday, so here's what we are planing to to do:

Sun: meet at Whitney Portal and spend the night in the parking lot.
Mon: begin hiking at 4am. Reach Trail Camp and set up.
Tues: begin hiking at 4am (5 miles to the top of Whitney). Hike back down to trail camp, back up things, hike back to cars. = 16 miles. *This will be the longest day.

Will see....hopefully the weather change to clear on those days :-)

Akichow, thanks for the weather link. I will save them in my favorites for future use.

That's a good idea for preparing for snow and ice. I will bring my crampons just in case i need them :-)

If the road is open, sleeping at Horseshoe Meadows the night before you start is preferable. They have a walk in campground. It is 10,000' elevation...much better for acclimatization.

I am not sure why you are starting 4 a.m. on Monday. Depending on conditions, it may be be a 4-6 hour hike up to Trail Camp, even taking it reasonably slowly and with heavy packs. Of course if there is heavy snow or bad weather, that can add.

And I wouldn't feel bound by the permit you have. Getting a walk in this time of year is super easy. So if you can leave earlier, you'll be able to get a permit. Based on the weather, that seems like the best course if it is available.

So it would only take 4-6 hours from Parking lot to Trail Camp? If that's the case, yah, I would rather enjoy my coffee first before I head out to TC.

I have never been there but are you saying that instead of sleeping in the parking lot of Whitney Portal on Sunday night, it's better to go Horseshoe Meadows? Or drive straight to HM and then head to TC from there? Apologize for the question if it doesnt make sense coz I'm not familiar wit the area :-)