Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board 2024

I'm having fun doing these trips...

BTW, I doubt that Guided Group that Doug mentioned made it very far up the NF (if at all)...

Now you get to read a little whining...
Many Happy Isle Lottery attempts...No Permit!
Six week selection for a Whit Overnight...No Permit!
I'm definitely not going to Vegas (or Indy, or Bishop) any time soon...

Guide group got about half way up the chute and turned around.
Light snow started late yesterday on the mountain and still coming down 6 PM. Friday ,Inyo mountains turning white all day ,this system is a strange one lasting hours .

Was it a small group?
I saw crampon marks in the willow branches and a bunch of compacted snow (like someone took a break to contemplate) at the stream crossing...early morning, with frozen snow would probably be "safe," but in the afternoon, when I was there, is "rolling the dice" on ending up "in the drink"...

I think it was a small group, The guide and Doug Ski together , often so I will try to get more detail, this guide does many of the trips for Wedberg.

Update from last night Inyo s got snow low and south Sierra up high some but didn't get much lower down

Is there snow on Haystack?

I call this Rattlesnake Hill...is this what you call Haystack?

No snow on it as of the last storm. I don't know the snow level of yesterday/today's storms...

Haystack is like Rattlesnake Hill East. It's on the other side of 395, off Owenyo Lone Pine Road.

...And I was semi-joking. But a photo of the Inyos with fresh snow behind Haystack would be nice.

That's a pretty solid fall of snow from 7000' up, might be the end of my hopes to go up the MR next week. Don't want it to be a postholing nightmare up there. Maybe I'll just mess around on some Baldy Bowl routes.

Seems like you guys have a very good grasp on conditions on the mountain. Based on the snow this year, what do you think conditions might look like in mid June, assuming no more major storms? Got a permit for June 16th, and it would be my first attempt on Whitney. I'm getting a couple of the books recommended around here as well, but thought some firsthand experience might be helpful.

We get a series of storms in May and early June so way early to guess on a mid June condition ., Watch the webcam for melt and system coverage

Hi all, new to the site, I'll be hiking Low to High in April and just checking in on what conditions may be when I get to Lone Pine around the 21st of April, obviously fully aware it's dependent on recent weather, more looking for general Late April guidance. Like expect any recent snowfall to evaporate below Portal with a single day of sunshine, etc. if you have any of that type of advice.

Once to Whitney Portal, I'm aiming to take the Mountaineer's Route. I'm thinking about how far I will be needing to hike from town until I am in the snow, will I be able to stash my standard hikers at the Portal and continue on with my mountaineering boots from there, or should I be planning to be carrying for some way and swapping later in the trip. I will be fully equipped with snow shoes as recent reports show no tracks being well established.

I'm expecting the town to summit and back to be a multi-day allowing for slower than expected travel and rerouting if needed, and having an extra day for a second summit shot in case of weather.

Happy to be here, and I have enjoyed reading the recent updates.

Cheers,

Thor

You should be on dirt/road into the north fork part way up maybe clear to Lower Boyscout Lake. Wild card above, will be snow and you may find a guide track for easy route finding and no need for snow shoes, crampons and ax for sure and hard mixed climbing skills rock/ice.

Always a great trip early season but will test you limits of fun!

Keep in mind that the Road Crews may have the gate locked if they are clearing the road so the Thompson's can get the Whitney Portal Store open for Pancakes and Burgers...As of a couple of weeks ago, the Rockfall was really minor...

I've been watching the sensors and seeing the snowpack contract...we'll see what this series of storms will do...although it looks like it's staying north...

Hi Richard and Everyone,
So the campground closest to the trailhead opens on 4/22, correct? Does the parking lot across from the trailhead also open? Will the detour roads be open to get there? We have a 4/24 hike planned. Any advice would be great. Thank you, Joe

I don't use the campgrounds, so I can't answer that question...Ken and Jim are, so maybe they'll chime in...

My understanding is that the County and Forest Service are only obligated to open things by May 1...Doug will have more info on opening as he's the Owner of the WPS...

I'll repeat myself...if the Road Crews are up the road, you need to get up past their work area before their days starts...I've had them yell at me for passing while they are working...

Thanks, Richard. My apologies for you having to repeat yourself. I'm just a little unfamiliar with the process before the May 1 date and just trying to get as much info as I can.

Just to play devils advocate, I wouldn't hold my breath for much to be open or user friendly before 1 May (roads, parking, trails). But every year is different, so.....

Joe,

The Whitney Portal Family Campground is currently accepting reservations for stays beginning April 25. Sometimes road and weather conditions dictate that the campground opening be delayed, and those with the earliest reservations get their money refunded. This is often done on a rolling week by week basis.

Remember that the Whitney Portal Store and adjacent Trailhead are located just a few hundred yards from the John Muir Wilderness, where the Forces of Nature tend to rule without human pushback. Some of the expectations one brings from living in California urban sprawl have to be shed when visiting the Mountain. From time to time the entire Canyon must be evacuated due to fires, earthquakes,...

In addition to the more formal Family Campground, there are two additional walk-in campgrounds located at the Trailhead, one above the overflow parking lot, and the other (more palatial) just below the lot. I consider them as open all year, whether approached by car, bike, snowshoes, or skis. When they are officially "open" for the season, the camper will be requested to leave a few dollars in an envelope.

As for the roads below the Canyon, I would not worry about travel on them. In April the school bus will still be picking up kids that live in the area and taking them to class in Lone Pine.

Let us know how your visit/hike/climb goes in late April. Your feedback will give others some early data points for the upcoming season. This would be much appreciated.

Jim

Thanks for the info, Jim. Me and my two buddies will be staying at the Whitney Portal Hostel/Hotel on the 24th with hopes of starting the hike up on the 25th and summit on the 26th...weather/conditions permitting of course. I've been up there before, but during summer. Just trying to get prepared and planned out as much as I can. Thanks again, Joe