Can a local in Lone Pine keep us posted when the Portal road is cleared and open? (Hopefully before July 8th.) Thanks!

Sure, not open yet.

Ultimate social distancing: last year on a two-week solo loop out of Horseshoe Meadow for one 6-day period exploring the far reaches of Siberian Outpost I didn't see - let alone come in contact with - another human being.

Since on any given visit to the local grocery store (Ridgecrest and probably Lone Pine) I'll come into contact with more potential Covid carriers than any interaction at the Cottonwood/Trail Pass Trailhead, I fail to see the logic of keeping the Horsehoe Meadow Road closed.

What am I missing?

You're missing all the time it takes for the FS, NP, BLM & other powers that be to get all their legal ducks (including new protocols, staff training, signage, boiler-plate "don't sue us" permit addenda, etc.) in a row.

It ain't to keep the virus in check (unless you consider ambulance chasers virii...)

I have a reservation for a campsite at Whitney Portal this weekend. I have received 2 confirmation emails that the site will be open this weekend. Is this just a glitch in the recreation.gov system, or is the road open? Has anyone else received a confirmation or cancellation email? Thanks!

Both the road and the campground will be open this Friday:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/inyo/recreation

Thank you so much!

Thank you for the opening information.
Now I have no more training excuses!