Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Snow!

Hi Quick update , snow on the switchbacks this am and on the face so the next few days it will be cold so bring extra layers.
First creek crossing very high so expect to get wet on the crossing.
Tom did a great loop last week so check out his route .
Many people had trouble getting over the crest yesterday all were soaked when they got down. As always high dollar gear failed after several hours of heavy rain , think rubber ducky suits if you want to stay dry, the others we call gym clothing. Lean more on wool products ,silk and clothing that is used for factory fishing boats. Think designer wear around the city think staying alive wear in the back country.
Be safe. Thanks Doug

The mountains are indeed sparkling as if they've just been washed. But the stream in Lone Pine Park is totally dry, choked by debris upstream somewhere - not by the eleven logs, I hope...

Well, it's time to put on my wooly clothing...

Reminds me of the fairy tale about that town back east that the wealthy folks thought making the lake above town would be a great place to recreate from the "City" then a nice couple say Jack and Jill came to town and it rained and rained and rained and the lake got real full and leaked,then the wealthy people didn't recall building the lake ....... all of this may not be a fairy tale but some could be.
Started raining about 9 AM so change the forecast to 100% for now , talked with a couple of young ladies that came over trail crest late yesterday snow on the back side. They set up at trailcrest till the whiteout cleared and got out last night about PM. They left Guitar Lake yesterday at 6:30 AM and tried to reach the summit but could not see the trail so turned back after a mile from the junction.

Ah, The Johnstown flood, over 2000 dead..

Drove through Lone Pine going South yesterday afternoon in pouring rain and 57 degrees..August. The whole way across the desert the temperature never hit 80 until Victorville. Couldn't see the Mtn. but figured there had to be snow up high.

2013 was another year of diminished rainfall/snowfall. However, I recall day hiking Mt Whitney on August 19 of last year with my daughter. There was continuous snow/ice on the Main trail from the spring at the 23rd switchback to the summit.

In the upcoming week, if I get some indication that there is a decent chance in a break in the weather for a few days, I am considering a quick sprint across the Range on the High Sierra Trail (West to East). A couple of weeks ago I thought the creek crossings on the HST this August would not be an issue. Now, I wonder if I thought wrong. I would appreciate input on current conditions/recommendations from any hiker who has completed the HST in the last day or two.

Thanks.

Jim

I will be hiking JMT northbound, starting 8/11 from Whitney. If snow on the switchbacks cable section, does this mean some snow on the Forrester Pass?

I am thinking of bring Kahtoola Spikes those that go over your hiking boot, and I have the Black Diamond Whippet self arrest hiking pole.

Any thought? Anyone came over the Forrester Pass?

Thanks for any info

A friend we know hiked the HST last year in a fire and had so much fun that this year decided to do a trek through JMT....only adding the additional excitement of Monsoon.
I hiked in a ways with her through the smoke-filled valley above Lake Mary over Duck Pass to Duck Lake. She texted yesterday that she is fine. Karin is a very capable lady - wishing her well on her journey to O.V.