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#104675 - 01/01/22 03:31 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Doug Sr]
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Member
Registered: 04/24/15
Posts: 32
Loc: WI
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What’s the current coverage on the Portal Road to snowshoe to the Whitney TH? Thanks!
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#104723 - 04/08/22 03:38 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 04/08/22
Posts: 2
Loc: CA
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Hoping to hike Whitney on the week of 4/18/22. Heard we had a bad snow pack this year so I'm looking to push my luck. Anyone know if I can summit safely without hitting any technical / icy sections on the main trail?
Thank you!
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#104724 - 04/08/22 05:02 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: cow]
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Member
Registered: 07/29/05
Posts: 11
Loc: Sparks, Nevada
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I have an overnight permit for May 17th. The snowpack this year is actually slightly lower than last years. The Sierra got off to a big start for the snow year the end of Dec., but it’s fizzled every since. There is a minor storm coming in on Monday, but it’s not a big snow maker.
_________________________
Robert P.
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#104726 - 04/10/22 12:38 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 04/08/22
Posts: 2
Loc: CA
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Thank you all for the fantastic info. I will reconsider since the road is closed. Completely forgot about that!
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#104727 - 04/12/22 09:41 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Doug Sr]
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Member
Registered: 01/02/03
Posts: 934
Loc: Maryland
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A good hike right now would be just to ramble up to Lone Pine Lake and back, harvesting all you can eat of the delectable miner's lettuce found in abundance between the Portal and there.
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#104728 - 04/12/22 02:02 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: hightinerary]
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Member
Registered: 12/21/02
Posts: 955
Loc: Rattlesnake Hill, CA
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I've eschewed miner's lettuce in favor of henweighs, also in abundance...
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#104783 - 05/19/22 09:07 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 12/22/02
Posts: 544
Loc: California
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Hiked up the Main Trail two days ago (May 17). I joined many hikers taking the Switchbacks. Some hikers were still ascending the Chute. With the great weather, snow is melting fast. A week ago, apparently the Chute was the consensus route.
The only spots I used micro spikes were on the Cables and the end of the last long Switchback before Trail Crest. Hiking poles helped.
On the ascent in the dark just above Mirror Lake, the few remaining patches of snow demanded some focus to remain on the Trail. The low angle snow field that lingers below the Summit Plateau has an excellent boot track.
The creeks are running low and all crossings are easy.
The Spring at the 23rd Switchback is a trickle, but provided water on both ascent and descent.
Consultation Lake is frozen, but the good campsites on its shore are now dry.
Dozens of PCT hikers were encountered between Trail Crest and the Summit.
For those heading up the MR: Iceberg Lake is thawing and the Final 400 can be climbed while avoiding the snow that remains in the middle of the upper half.
The following morning, I enjoyed a hearty breakfast with Doug Sr at the Whitney Portal Store. It was nice to have a lengthy conversation with Doug and Doug after a challenging last two years. This season seems to be off to a good start. Hope it stays that way!
Jim
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#104784 - 05/19/22 02:39 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 05/19/22
Posts: 1
Loc: Australia
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We are hiking up via Onion Valley starting 26 May (and I am coming from Australia). It looks like freeze thaw conditions and snow just over 11,000 feet (and freezing levels over 5000m). I have my La Sportiva boots and snap on crampons but it sounds like overkill (although warm and dry in slushy conditions) and I might get by with just my Scarpa hiking boots. I presume an ice axe is still a good idea? Grateful for any insights.
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#104785 - 05/20/22 08:29 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Niall]
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Member
Registered: 12/22/02
Posts: 544
Loc: California
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Niall,
Try to be in Independence the day before your hike. Talk to PCT hikers (off the Trail for a resupply) on the street and at motels about conditions they experienced between Mt Whitney and Onion Valley.
Then drive up to Onion Valley (giving PCT hikers a lift). At the Trail head, try to get more info from hikers coming off the Trail. Give them a ride back to town.
Based on the intel you gather, your skill set, and the weather forecast, make your gear selection and start your adventure the next day.
Jim
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#104788 - 05/30/22 08:12 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 12/22/02
Posts: 544
Loc: California
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Spent Saturday and Sunday night (5/28, 5/29) camping at the Whitney Portal Campground. Very windy. Hikers coming down the Main Trail reported seeing Flying Tents at Trail Camp.
Took a short hike Sunday morning from Horseshoe Meadow up to Trail Pass. Dry, windy. The tributary of Cottonwood Creek crossing the Meadow was running low already.
Today hiked in Tuolumne Meadows (on the way back home) and saw many PCT hikers already passing through. Apparently, the creek crossings on the JMT were a non issue (water typically running ankle deep). A few of the passes required some work to cross.
Jim
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#104806 - 06/22/22 07:21 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 12/22/02
Posts: 544
Loc: California
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Went up the Main Trail two days ago (Monday June 20). Weather much friendlier than over the weekend (cold and windy).
No snow encountered on the Trail.
Many campers at both Outpost Camp and Trail Camp.
In the early morning encountered ice on the trail from the Spring at the 23rd switchback. Collecting some water to drink there required work and patience. On return from Summit, ice gone, easy to collect Spring water.
At Summit, great views in all directions were enjoyed. The register had a recent resupply of paper, so likely the Crabtree Ranger has returned to duty for the Season.
Two groups of hikers completing the High Sierra Trail were encountered at the Summit. They reported excellent conditions for hiking on the HST: Snow no longer an issue at the Kaweah Gap. All creek crossings trivial.
Returning to Whitney Portal, many cars were tagged with warnings indicating violation of food storage rules.
Since my return home, new snow has been reported on Mt Whitney. The Mountain has an impressive collection of pitches, so one has to be prepared when stepping up at the plate.
With persistence, it seems the aspiring Mt Whitney hiker can usually secure a last minute reservation on rec.gov and then print the actual permit.
Jim
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#104808 - 06/27/22 04:41 PM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Doug Sr]
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Member
Registered: 06/27/22
Posts: 1
Loc: California
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Trip report (2022/06/23): Microspikes & hiking poles were necessary. Get a minimum of 2L of water at the lake right before the 97 switchbacks. It is pretty much the last water source before the summit. Get 3L if want to be more comfortable. It seemed it was snowing the day before most of the day. I started at 3:30 am and came down at 6:00 pm. It took me 14.5 hours with snow. We were lucky that we had great weather with little snow when we climbed. A pair of hiking poles are pretty much necessary. Make sure to get a burger at the store at the trailhead after you finish. [img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-...4-no?authuser=0[/img]
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#104809 - 07/01/22 10:23 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 05/28/22
Posts: 1
Loc: Cali
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(Trip date 6/28-6/30) My buddies and I camped at consultation lake and summitted the next day (29th). Trail was dry the whole way with only a few snow patches left on the side of the trail. I had a wonderful time. There is some water about 1/2 mile up the switchbacks. It is running faster in some spots along the trail. That would be the last water to get after trail camp.
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#104899 - 08/22/22 05:25 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Arjun R]
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Member
Registered: 08/10/22
Posts: 3
Loc: Texas
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Hiked to Trail Camp on 8/17/22 and summited on 8/18/22. Trail is in great shape. Water was only moderately flowing from the spring above Trail Camp, so make sure you fill up at Trail Camp.
This is monsoon season so try to be off the mountain by noon to avoid being caught in an afternoon thunderstorm. It poured down late afternoon of the 17th at Trail Camp, and those we spoke to coming down from the summit earlier stated they experienced rain, hail, and snow at or near the summit.
We had no precipitation at the summit on the 18th. Nor did we have any the rest of the way down from Trail Camp.
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#104915 - 09/02/22 07:49 AM
Re: Whitney Trail Conditions
[Re: Scott W]
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Member
Registered: 06/26/03
Posts: 5230
Loc: Ridgecrest, CA
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There is no flow from the spring at SB22 anymore... All was dry both on the way up (around 9:00am) and the way down (1:30pm?) on the 1st of September.
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