|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26 |
Anyone been up there lately? How long does it take to get there from Lone Pine? Any local source of water? Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30 |
I was on White Mountain on 07/09. The drive from Lone Pine to Big Pine is 40 miles, the drive from Big Pine to the turnoff to White Mountain Rd is 13 Miles, and the drive from that turnoff to the trailhead is 27 miles. The last 17 miles are dirt and the last four are only suitable for 4x4's. My Prius made it to within 4 miles of the trailhead, where I parked at the turnoff to the Patriarch Grove, which is somewhere over 11,000 foot elevation (I didn't have an altimeter or a topo of the area). So, if you don't have a 4x4, it's a 22 mile roundtrip; if you can access the trailhead by vehicle, then it's only 14 (an interesting fourteen). Many have used a mountain bike (see the climber's log on summitpost.com) to cut down on their hike times, because up to the Bancroft High Altitude Lab (2 miles in to the hike) it's a highly ridable dirt road (the lab is essentially where vehicular traffic ends (btw, you would need a key to the gate to reach the lab by vehicle). Following the lab there is a 1/4 to 1/2 mile steep, loose and sudden gain where you would be better walking or ditching the bike). After this rise the trail plateaus, mellows and drops for the first of two times. Next, you make a gradual and unrelenting climb of a second plateau that I would estimate to be 13,000 feet. If you still have the bike, here is the time to ditch it. After the second drop (200 feet?) you begin your final gain and start a pattern of a steep switchback followed by a flat recovering one, over and over. This is also the point where you will most likelly encounter very powerful wind. I did not see any water sources enroute and my time was slightly over ten hours for 18 miles (I was able to get a ride back to the Patriarch grove from a sympathetic couple, who had completed a three day full traverse of the ridge, with an SUV at the trailhead). If you do have a 4x4, there is a good spot to camp for the night in a gully at the trailhead; otherwise, there is a donation campground (Grandview) 5 miles beyond the turnoff to White Mountain Rd. The trail is monotonous (the scenery is basically treeless moonscape, yet their is some greenery and the largest collection of marmots ever assembled) and stings you on the way back with requisite climbs, but the unending view of the Sierra Crest is without parallel. I was carrying a gallon of water, but would carry even more and bring less clothes (which I only needed for the wind at the summit).
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,391
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,391 |
Curious as to why the last four miles to the gate are now 4x4 only? I've had the TOF up there a number of times and not had a problem, just drive slowly and watch out for the sharper rocks. Is there still snow on the road?
PS: The TOF is a Honda Element with normal car clearance.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 34
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 34 |
Drove up to the trailhead last Saturday, July 17, no snow on the road and very passable for most any vehicle. Just drive carefully if you have low ground clearance. Bring water, none on the trail.
Al
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30 |
It was the Forest Service that put up the 4x4 sign. The couple that gave me the ride back had a Prius as well, but had borrowed an SUV for their hike. They agreed with me that there were a few spots that were genuinely impassable for a Prius, but the Element is probably a few inches higher? I wasn't carrying a shovel and didn't want to risk it, but the ups and down on the way to the TH might have made me go for it in retrospect. My first time there, so I decided to error on the side of caution and possibly it was an error. Usually I would rather walk than risk grounding my car. With my old Volvo I would have tried it.
Last edited by LeeTintary; 07/22/10 09:21 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,391
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,391 |
Thanks for the clarification. Element is a bit higher,and I've got new tires (!!) so it will probably be ok... I'll check in with the WMRS here in town today as well.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 212
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 212 |
White Mt Road = alot of sharp rocks. Be careful and don't risk those nice new tires !! Know you have done it a few times but
doubt that a repeat is on your schedule right now as you have better things ahead of you in the next few weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30 |
Yeah. You have about two inches on me. It wasn't long before I went that the last few miles were still closed due to snow (according to Inyo forest page?). When I went the problem was uneven dirt that was in the spot where the road turns farthest west and dips into a gully before climbing back toward the trailhead. This and two other spots had orange cones, so perhaps between when I went and the guy who reported 07/17 someone filled in these places or evened them out? Must be since his experience a week later was different.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26 |
Lee, Thanks for the good write up. I appreciate the effort and insight. As I have never been up there, can you translate the miles into minutes for me? I am leaving out of Lone Pine (The Hostel) in the early am and am using the trip up there to do a easy stroll to help get ready for a one day hike of Whitney. Time at altitude is the primary goal for the day. So I am interested in how much time it takes to get there from Lone Pine. Again, thanks for the write up and quick response. I was on White Mountain on 07/09. The drive from Lone Pine to Big Pine is 40 miles, the drive from Big Pine to the turnoff to White Mountain Rd is 13 Miles, and the drive from that turnoff to the trailhead is 27 miles. The last 17 miles are dirt and the last four are only suitable for 4x4's. My Prius made it to within 4 miles of the trailhead, where I parked at the turnoff to the Patriarch Grove, which is somewhere over 11,000 foot elevation (I didn't have an altimeter or a topo of the area). So, if you don't have a 4x4, it's a 22 mile roundtrip; if you can access the trailhead by vehicle, then it's only 14 (an interesting fourteen). Many have used a mountain bike (see the climber's log on summitpost.com) to cut down on their hike times, because up to the Bancroft High Altitude Lab (2 miles in to the hike) it's a highly ridable dirt road (the lab is essentially where vehicular traffic ends (btw, you would need a key to the gate to reach the lab by vehicle). Following the lab there is a 1/4 to 1/2 mile steep, loose and sudden gain where you would be better walking or ditching the bike). After this rise the trail plateaus, mellows and drops for the first of two times. Next, you make a gradual and unrelenting climb of a second plateau that I would estimate to be 13,000 feet. If you still have the bike, here is the time to ditch it. After the second drop (200 feet?) you begin your final gain and start a pattern of a steep switchback followed by a flat recovering one, over and over. This is also the point where you will most likelly encounter very powerful wind. I did not see any water sources enroute and my time was slightly over ten hours for 18 miles (I was able to get a ride back to the Patriarch grove from a sympathetic couple, who had completed a three day full traverse of the ridge, with an SUV at the trailhead). If you do have a 4x4, there is a good spot to camp for the night in a gully at the trailhead; otherwise, there is a donation campground (Grandview) 5 miles beyond the turnoff to White Mountain Rd. The trail is monotonous (the scenery is basically treeless moonscape, yet their is some greenery and the largest collection of marmots ever assembled) and stings you on the way back with requisite climbs, but the unending view of the Sierra Crest is without parallel. I was carrying a gallon of water, but would carry even more and bring less clothes (which I only needed for the wind at the summit).
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26 |
Good to know. I drive an Element, too. Curious as to why the last four miles to the gate are now 4x4 only? I've had the TOF up there a number of times and not had a problem, just drive slowly and watch out for the sharper rocks. Is there still snow on the road?
PS: The TOF is a Honda Element with normal car clearance.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 34
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 34 |
About 45 minutes from Lone Pine to Big Pine, another hour of paved road (Highway 168) to the dirt road to the White Mt. trail head, then another hour to the trail head, depending on how fast you want to drive on the dirt. Lots of washboard that will slow you down, as will looking at some beautiful scenery. So, figure about 3 hours, maybe a little less.
Al
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30 |
Hi,
now that I understand your purpose, I was wondering if you had considered using a day hike out of Horseshoe Meadows to fulfill the same purpose. The drive would be much quicker and easier and you would have more time to hike on an easier and more pleasant trail with ample tree cover and abundant water. The elevation is considerably lower than White Mountain TH, but considerably higher than the Whitney Portal TH. I think a day there would find you more rested for Whitney than an attempt on White Mountain, but this is just my experience.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 556
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 556 |
I agree on the Cottonwood Pass trail - start at 10K' at HM, and get up well over 11K' in an 8 mi RT. The Cottonwood Lakes trail starts at the same elevation, but isn't as aggressive in elevation gain.
Or, if you really want to go to White, just do the Methuselah Trail at the Ancient Bristlecone Forest Visitor Center, and forget that last hour on the dirt/rock road - the trail is 4.5 miles beginning at 10K' and getting near 11K'. The views are staggering, and you just may spot the oldest living organism on earth. If you're looking for an "easy stroll" up high, this fits the bill. Besides, 168 and White Mountain Road are just plain fun to drive!
Are you doing this the day immediately prior to your dayhike, or a couple of days out?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 720
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 720 |
I agree on the Cottonwood Pass trail - start at 10K' at HM, and get up well over 11K' in an 8 mi RT. The Cottonwood Lakes trail starts at the same elevation, but isn't as aggressive in elevation gain.
Or, if you really want to go to White, just do the Methuselah Trail at the Ancient Bristlecone Forest Visitor Center, and forget that last hour on the dirt/rock road - the trail is 4.5 miles beginning at 10K' and getting near 11K'. The views are staggering, and you just may spot the oldest living organism on earth. If you're looking for an "easy stroll" up high, this fits the bill. Besides, 168 and White Mountain Road are just plain fun to drive!
Are you doing this the day immediately prior to your dayhike, or a couple of days out? Ditto on the Cottonwood Pass... Then see the mysterious "pole" in the middle of the meadow beyond CP... Then there is the lake nearby... Then there certain peaks in the area you can climb up to... All kinds of fun things to do on the CP. Caveat: The last mile towards the end of the hike is a killer! Now, where is that parking lot? Are we there yet? Oh, yes, be sure to bearproof your car. Leave no smelly stuff inside. Rangers leave nice yellow stickers on your vehicle for all to see cuz you are invitin' trouble. The things you see people leave in their vehicle in PLAIN VIEW is beyond reason. Must be them city slickers. Makes you chuckle thinking if there was a bear here right now it would be feasting on some smorgasbord in the driver's seat! Bears tend to be a little messy. Heck, you just might see a mule train from Rock Creek...just stay clear off the trail...them buggers tend to have a mean bite! Usually the "noob mule" is the youngest towards the rear of the pack...that's the one to stay clear from. Have fun.
Journey well...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 556
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 556 |
Ditto on the Cottonwood Pass... Caveat: The last mile towards the end of the hike is a killer! Now, where is that parking lot? Are we there yet?
That would be the 37 switchbacks up the pass that did that to you - counted 'em last year coming down. That, and all that stupid beach sand in the meadow . . .
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,391
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26 |
I wasn't going to hike up to the top, just kind of hang out at the trailhead for the day and maybe do a few miles up to barcroft station as a way to get aclamated to the altitude. Do it on Friday and hike Whitney on Tuesday. Horseshoe and cottonwood are other trails we will do prior to the Whitney hike Tuesday
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 26 |
Lee, Are these times right? They seem too long. At least from Big Pine to the dirt road. An hour to go 13 miles? How windy is that road? Or did I miss understand KAC49? Help? About 45 minutes from Lone Pine to Big Pine, another hour of paved road (Highway 168) to the dirt road to the White Mt. trail head, then another hour to the trail head, depending on how fast you want to drive on the dirt. Lots of washboard that will slow you down, as will looking at some beautiful scenery. So, figure about 3 hours, maybe a little less.
Al
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 949
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 949 |
Those times are about right. Any faster on the dirt road and you will likely be stopping to change a flat tire.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 556
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 556 |
Hey Laura - not whining. Just an observation. I really enjoyed that trail! I don't go to the effort and expense of jumping on a plane to travel far away and whine. If I was gonna do that, I'd head for Washington . . .  And gcadman, Hwy 168 is seriously windy and dippy - and that's the fun of it! You get a roller coaster ride without the park entry fee. Once you're on White Mountain Road, not so bad but serious uphills. Drove both last week and, depending on your comfort level with the roads, it could easily take a while to cover the Big-Pine-to-the-Visitor-Center mileage (where the pavement ends).
|
|
|
|
|
