Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Snow on the trail???

Is there snow on the trail yet? If yes, how much and where? Also, do I still need a permit and bear canister?

Thx.

There was no snow as of last weekend but there is ice as per usual at the cables on the switchbacks.

There is a BRC requirement for backpackers on the Main Mt. Whitney Trail.

Permits are required at all times for backpacking but the quota is gonzo after 11/1.

Bill

No snow as of yesterday; and even the ice near the cables is keeping pretty much to the wall, with clean rock all the way through.

As I understood it, bear canisters are only needed for overnighters. For dayhike there is no need.

That is correct rbirk. Don't know any dayhikers that would want to carry a bear canister.

FYI...Bears are still around at the trailhead and campground. I saw one lurking around the day use area and at least 2 cars had been broken into this weekend. I didn't see any on the trail, but there was "sign" just below trail camp.

I would like to hike Whitney soon too for the first time and am curious what this talk of cables is? The trail is well worn and class one correct? I plan to dayhike the peak also. Thanks.

The cables are there to help you get by a spot that usually has ice on it. Below is a link to some pics from when I did the hike in July, they show a lot of the route.
http://community.webshots.com/album/81076465pvvqRe

Mtflyer

Here's a photo of the ice and cables from Oct 12.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/94669973/94831851VhuhJb