Hello. I had a few friends summit Mt Whitney the afternoon of Oct 2nd. Hoping to hear back from them today. Has anyone gone up yesterday or today and can let me know what conditions are like. They camped last night at Constellation lake and were going to hike out today.

Talked with several groups that came down from Trailcamp yesterday about 6-8 inches of snow and the trail was hard to follow going higher so most returned , storm cleared about noon yesterday lower elevation but was clear higher , some wind so I would expect drifts , switchback area is snow covered ( we can see the area from the Portal) Few going up today . Looks like dry to about 10,000 elevation.snow should clear to the 12,000 ' in a few days but above that expect snow packed tracked, worst conditions now fresh snow over rock and patches of ice below, short hours of light and cold .

Doug,

Thanks for the timely Conditions Update. Was planning on hiking the Mountain tomorrow. But now have decided to hold off and observe for a few days.

Jim

Good afternoon Jim,

Did you summit? Has there been anyone else make the hike these past few days?

I am planning on hiking this Friday. The weather conditions over the next several days looks great.

Can anyone provide any additional information?

Thanks everyone.

Todd

Todd,

I have a permit for this Wednesday (Oct 11). If I hike, I will post my observations late Thursday.

Hope to enjoy some of the Fall Colors in the Eastern Sierras, as well.

Jim

Jim,

Thank you very much. Look forward to your post!

Todd

Spent a few days in the Eastern Sierras enjoying the Fall Colors and a hike up Mt Whitney. After a double cheeseburger and an update from Doug and Doug on Tuesday at the Whitney Portal Store, I headed up the Trail early on Wednesday (Oct 11).

The conditions were near perfect, except for a challenging wind (just as forecasted). A gust could give one quite a push, and it paid to be particularly alert near drop offs. I had the Summit to myself for awhile. Much of the time on the Summit was spent in the Summit Hut.

The creeks are running low (finally!).

Lakes, ponds, and waterfalls are not yet frozen.

The spring at the 23rd Switchback is done for the year.

Some snow is on the Trail between the Cables and Trail Crest. Micro spikes could be of use in the Cable Area and on one section of the lengthy final Switchback.

A consensus use trail is forming just to the east of the Summit Snow Field which covers the Trail. Watch for cairns. Or, if so inclined, just boulder straight up to rejoin the Trail.

Awesome Fall Colors are present in Bighorn Park and in an area on the Trail below Lone Pine Lake.

A few hearty hikers were encountered completing the JMT and PCT.

What a great time of year!

Jim

Hey thanks for another great report. System came in with the wind you mentioned,33 at the store 9 AM and stayed at 34 till just before noon ,had a short warmer period till about 3 PM .Most are day hikers now and starting early so bring layers ,gloves and a head wrap of some sort,cold enough short stops are all you can do ,hiking you are creating heat once you stop chills can start quickly.