Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Rock slide on new road

How are we doing on the road??

Transportation meeting in the morning will update

Thanks Doug.

PS Only 11 weeks to go!!!

No solid update on the road some say use NRT still, others say NRT when no construction . So I know construction is moving forward on the Road but will not open till the repair is complete and the snow is cleared , snow cleared to the Main Campground last week, that leaves about 1 mile and that section is in the shade,say about 2-3 deep and moving that to the side means it will melt during the day and freeze the runoff at night so now the road is thin layer of ice in the deep shaded areas.

1-2 weeks if we have warm weather should clear most of the road to the overflow parking lot 1/4 mile from the Trail Head then that area never melts , will need to be plowed.

The County has work to do on many of the roads and limited equipment (second largest County in California population 18,000) and very few are State Highways . We are lucky that the Portal Road became high on the list to repair.

Road update Walking up the road OK now ,but still chance for rockfall and construction ,snow clearing and a storm this week.


Still major slide danger ,and Rockwell treewell risk to be aware of. Like always not a trail many tracks to nowhere and no support in the canyon.You need to be aware of rapid changing conditions.Having someone suggest the gear you need may indicate selecting another area or another time.

Thanks

Latest update found on Inyo County Sheriff's Office facebook page

"*Whitney Portal Road UPDATE: The protective slurry has been placed over the damaged sections of the road where the rockslide occurred. The road is currently under the standard winter closure.
*Horseshoe Meadows Road UPDATE: There has been a site survey preformed and a plan is currently being developed for site stabilization and repair.
*Onion Valley Road UPDATE: Road crews are anticipating beginning work this week; however the extent of the road work is currently unknown.
*South Lake and Sabrina Roads UPDATE: Once an official snow measurement has been determined, the Inyo County Road Dept will be able to assess when it is safe to attempt road cleanup and/or repair work.
A big thank you to everyone who has been patient – this winter has brought historic amounts of snow to the Sierra and with that, the associated rockslide road damage. Please continue to be patient as road crews do their best to get these roads cleared and safe.
We will keep you updated on any new info!"

Here's the link to see more

Road updates from Inyo County Sheriff;s Office Facebook page

I have a permit for Tuesday 5/9. I know that if the road is not finished currently and I will have to take the NRT. How far along the trail in early May can I make it before I hit snow, if at all. Just wondering if anyone has experience around that time. I most likely will not summit therefore which trail would offer the most. I have extensive hiking experience but only a small amount of experience navigating and hiking in snow.

There won't be any snow on the NRT in May expect possibly some patches near the Portal. When they worked on the road last summer there were delays at times. We had one that was 45 minutes and a few in the 30 minute range. If they need to do some repair work this year it'll probably be the same situation. You'll hit snow somewhere on the trail. Where you hit it is still too early to tell at this point.

the road is currently passable up to snow line at the lower whitney portal campground (about 7800 feet). the permanent gate that was previously locked is open and now there's just the standard winter 'road closed' sign. i drove around this and up to snow line.

-b

Hi Repeat what Bran posted melting out fast now , still snow at the Trailhead and around the pond area, another two weeks should see the snow clear to the overflow and maybe part of the Overflow lot , Some road work will be done , sweeping and rock removal before the road will open , maybe like the old days where the snow will be cleared or not around the pond?

Water in the canyons running very swiftly now so stay clear , my thoughts are we are having a somewhat normal melt , even a few weeks early at the lower elevation , but since the snow was above normal on the upper elevation it will not melt out as quickly, Thor has rock showing as the 97 switch back area so the melt is starting.


Many people in the area today , some heading up , but had trouble finding the trail head , one group had a GPS software app on the phone but thought the heavy line for the permit zone was the trail,trail was so light it was somewhat hard to see.

High winds again the next few days and chance of a storm so be ready. Watch for rock fall and wet slides also. As with the fall season this part of the year we will see some rescues or recoveries so be alert .

Road should open the 28th ofApril, of course that is the day the Gov. will shut down.
Horseshoe Meadow Rd. another story may not open for several months and will most likely be one lane for a short section. The plan is cut into the mountain to pass the slide section,then start to rebuild the area that is washed out.

So far the run off in the southern part of the valley hasn't caused any new damage but we are not getting the high elevation runoff yet so roads could still wash out, stream crossings will be very wide and swift this season and rock fall would be normal for these conditions.

Doug, really, May 28th!!!!

paul

Hey good catch the other May, April 28,We have most of the snow cleared at the store ,but not around the loop ,overflow parking lot clear now but many rocks on the road once you enter the canyon,more down everyday.

Thanks Doug, that's a relief.

I'll see you Memorial weekend (actually the whole week).

By the way, I just bought, "CLIMBING MOUNT WHITNEY" by Wheelock, Walt & Condon, Tom, first edition, 1960. If you don't have a copy, I have one for you.

paul

Hey I missed your post I knew Walt , would go to his house talk and pick up books. Other times he would be on a off road trip and stop in. Great person. Wrote several off road books about the Southwest and Mexico.

I think you have the purple cover version? I would joke with Walt about his one liners , The trail is . it could rain , it is long,

Last update from Sheriff's Office Portal road opening 4:30 P.M. Friday April 28 ,
Some tickets this week and road work.If the sign is up saying road closed .....

Doug, yes blue cover. I have a couple other books to give you, signed by Royal Robbins.

I'll be up there for the Wild West Marathon......I wonder if they will still take the 50 miler up to the Portal with snow being what it is on the NRT trail.

paul

I keep checking the NRT My thoughts are it will be close to clearing ,I keep the race director updated and will walk the trail this coming week, The bridge is damaged at Meysan Creek but I think it is easy to get onto the log and cross. The only issue would be the run off taking the bridge down stream aways .
Advanced rockcraft? I hope? .

See you in a few weeks

Does the marathon run up to the Portal or just the 50-miler?

Over the years, the marathon and 10 miler were the only events with both starting and finishing at Tuttle Creek.

They added a 50k a few years back and then the 50 miler. All of races start at Tuttle Creek and now finish at the Lone Pine park.

The marathon crosses Lone Pine creek and then Whitney Portal Road over to Hogback Road and down.

The 50 miler does head up the NRT where they are greeted by no other than Doug. They return the same way they came up.

The 50 miler course: http://lonepinechamber.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/2016LonePineMarathonMap.pdf

paul