Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Switchback Conditions?

Good morning all!

I am heading up the MMWT in late June. (With a group new to Whitney) Strong hikers one and all. But...Ice Axe and crampons are not an option. Any of you taken a peek towards the switchbacks as you are motoring up the snowfield? I am pretty confident that the westside will be melted out...But the cables?

Any thoughts besides...YER GONNA DIE!!! (Supertopo reference...Sorry!)

Thanks,

Tad

Just a WAG, but I think that nearly two months from now most of the Main Trail will be free of snow. Typical ICY in the morning and wet in the afternoon on the Switchbacks.

Another WAG is that the slope to Trail Crest will be out-of-shape within a few weeks...

What Richard said, based on pictures I've seen. However, you might want to have a set of Microspikes, just in case.

This is way too early to tell what will be around in late June. If I remember correctly, the trail was passable through the cables at the end of May beginning of June in 2007...the last time we had a light winter snow.

There is always some ice through the cables.

Thank you both.
Its amazing. After the last couple of seasons...A winter like this. I have some great shots of a friend of mine ice climbing the trees near the summit of Baldy from last winter.

Two years ago, One of my hiking partners was(is) a ultra trail runner. He and I raced down from trail crest. He ran down the switchbacks, I took the otter slide. It was closer then I thought it would be...But I got him. The finish line was the boulder near the water at trail camp. Again, late June. I was back in July...Still able to make the slide.

Since I am sitting here pecking away.... Last spring, a friend and I scrambled up Candlelight. We went back down the way we came up. (Lone Pine Lake side)
If a fella wanted to drop down the other side...(Meyson Lake) Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Tad