Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board November Road Conditions

Approximately when does the road to Horseshoe Meadows and Whitney Portal close for the winter?

The roads don't officially close. They just don't get plowed, so you have to drive through the snow and rocks as far as you can.

Matt

That is correct: snow closes the road. They do not plow past the posted sign. On the Whitney road it is just before the first big switchback.
There is also a similar sign (no snow removal past this point) on the Horseshoe meadows road. It seems like it is before the house you drive past on the right side, a few miles past the tuttle creek turn off.

"Road Closed" signs go up on each of these roads (also for Onion Valley and Glacier Lodge - the latter for the first time last winter) when Caltrans feels there is enough snow to be a problem. I have asked numerous officials about the meaning of the signs - quite a few rangers and some sheriff personnel - are they simply advisory, meaning you are on your own if you get stuck? Or are the roads officially closed and you will get cited if they catch you?

About 50% of the answers say it's advisory and 50% say it's official. But the answers given with seemingly the most authority suggest the former is correct. So my friends and I violate the signs frequently. But a guy in a car with red lights and a ticket book in his hand, might be interpreting things differently that day ... so be aware.

Once, on the Whitney Portal Road, we came back after a winter trip. Our cars, which had managed to get to the Portal, had not been cited. But two others down lower had, and the citations read "Driving on a closed road." One of the cars was not parked off to the side enough, and it carried the additional charge: "Obstructing traffic." Cute.

That's the only time I know of citations, in quite a few trips over quite a few winters. My friends and I always agree in advance to split the cost of any ticket if it happens.

By the way, there is a gate on the Horseshoe Meadows road, just above that little ranch, where the sign is placed. In my experience they first put up the sign but leave the gate open. Later, after the snows become a real problem, they close and lock the gate.

There used to be a similar gate on the Portal road, about a mile up from where the sign is placed. It's just before the big switchback. You can still see the posts, on either side of the road. It's been about 20 years since the gate was used.

I've never heard of someone getting "caught." Big Sierra winter storms are generally known about a few days in advance, and that knowledge probably keeps people from taking a chance. When we go up there in advance of a possible storm, we always drive as high as possible, drop packs, then drive back down to park at a less exposed elevation.

The roads are officially closed with the first snow. Black and white signs are regulatory, not advisory. If you go past the road closed signs, your inurance will not cover you if you get into an accident. Once you pass these signs you're on your own. The road department will NOT take a plow up to get you out.

Not to add an incentive to make a poor decision by driving on a closed or dangerous road, I wanted to correct something blaze whitney stated. I work in claims for a major insurance company, and if you have an accident on a closed road your are covered as long as you have the proper coverage on the policy, collision or comprehensive.

blaze_whitney mentioned something I hadn't thought of: the color of the sign & lettering. Here's what was there on 21 November, suggesting that the sign is regulatory. Still, I'll continue to take my chances up there, and will let everyone know if I get "bit."

By the way, on 21 November you could easily get to the Portal with assistance from 4WD; to the Meysan Lake parking spot with 2WD.

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Nice truck Bob.

Currently here in flagstaff the temp is currently 15. I was wishing for snow today but it was too dry, I am hoping to climb Humphrey's peak some time before winter break. High winds up on Humphrey's today with snow trails. Just thought I would let you know.

Matt.

Hey Matt - love Flagstaff and good luck on Humphrey's peak. I attempted it twice, first time trail ran out and too much snow, second time super high winds. Strange - I dayhiked Whitney twice and hit the top both times.

Does anyone know about Mt. Hood? I just moved to Portland, OR.

Melissa

Mt Hood is reached from the Timberline Ski Resort, usually in the summer. Since it is covered by snow and glaciers, even in the summer, it is actually a mountaineering experience more then hiking. There is 5300 verticle feet...all snow. It took us about 12-13 hours to summit and get down. Depending on the ice/ snow conditions you need to exercise caution above the Crevace.

Glacier Lodge Road is open and free of snow. However, spent a lot of effort breaking trail on wind-crusted snow up the South Fork trail. Snowshoes would be a good item.

Speaking of Mt. Hood, do a search above of Mt Hood and you will see a post from August 17, 2003 called "Has Anyone hiked Mt Hood." There is some good information there. It is the highest mountain in Oregon and a great experience. The top is like a pyramid, much different then the Sierras. We could see all the way from Mt. Rainier down to Mt. Shasta from the top.

GoingBackSoon--your comment about seeing Mt. Shasta from Mt. Hood is awesome. I had my airline tickets ready for a climb this past Fall, but just days before my departure I severly sprained my ankle and had to cancel the trip. However, in preparing for the trip, I programmed my "mountain sighting" program to tell me the directions and mileages of all surrounding mountains around Mt. Hood. The program shows that Mt. Shasta is 275 miles away, 0.6 compass degrees to the left of Mt. Jefferson (10,497'), which is 49 miles away. 275 miles happens to be the theoretical maximum seeing-limit for Shasta, where Mt. Shasta would appear on the horizon. However, there are also two other mountains lined up between Hood and Shasta: Mt. Washington (7,794') at 72 miles away from Hood, and Mt. Scott (8,938') at 170 miles. You may have actually seen one of these two mountains. However, if you did spot Shasta, that would truly be awesome. Something I would like to witness myself, if I can reschedule another trip to Hood's summit. Thanks for peeking my interest.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like its time for me to advance from using just crampons to real skills with ice axe and ropes.