Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Onion Valley to Whitney Portal

doing this hike next week... has anybody done it lately? If so, what are the trail conditions (water, bears etc.)?

Haven't done it yet this year, but last year was even more dry and the only water surprise was the fact the creek into Sandy Meadow was dry. You'll parallel Bubbs Creek most of the way to Forrester. On the south side are several lakes, Tyndall Creek, Wright Creek and Wallace Creek - which seem to flow year round.

You can't camp at Bullfrog Lake but just north of the lower trail right before the lake along a small creek are excellent campsites.

Bears really like Vidette Meadow, but seem to have gotten the word that bear canisters work.

Two years ago there were 70+ folks camped at the Tyndall bear box one night. Go up or down Tyndall Creek, or south to the Frog Ponds to escape the crowds. The area downslope from the little lake west of the trail on the Bighorn Plateau is a great campsite. Instead of going all the way to Wallace Creek, check out Wright Lakes Basin, or the excellent campsite south of the trail right before the Wright Creek crossing.

Be adventurous - get a bit off trail and have fun.

thanks booger! Good information!

any water in that area downslope of the little lake on the Bighorn Plateau besides the little lake? Are you talking about farther along the JMT or literally downslope from the lake? Just wondering because I will be traveling through in September and might want to overnight in that area. Thanks

As you approach the Bighorn crest heading south check the area to the right before the dropoff into the Tyndall drainage. In normal years there will be several seeps converging into a small flow good enough to get water. Superb campsites to the right in the trees. Backup is to trudge up to the lake and carry water back. Worth it - campsites much better than camping in the open near the lake or climbing to the top of the hill west of the lake. Sometimes pretty windy up there.

Thanks booger, Just thinking about a backup plan in case for some reason I can't make it all the way to wright creek