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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,018 Likes: 4
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,018 Likes: 4 |
Hi First I got a call about the parking details for the road work next season, the notice was to be released yesterday so some of the details that MAY happen is very limited parking in the Portal. The first part of the season , Road work should start as the road clears of snow say April- May and as the road work will be in sections the first section is from Lone Pine Campground to the Portal' This may not be a problem but by mid June on restricted parking and travel time will be. If like the last several years the long term parking will fill the lots and since no parking along the edge of the road day hikers will fill the few remaining spots early mornings and overnight hikers will need to find spots somewhere out of the construction zone.If the snow clears early and the work can be completed by late June the season should be somewhat normal. Still expect delays and a few hours a day that the road will be closed weekdays it may be from 8AM -11AM and open 11 AM -1 PM Closed 1 PM - 4 PM and open from 4 PM - 8 AM NO road closures for the weekends or Holiday weekends.
As the contract is awarded more details will be published .
The BLM brought a trail crew in for two periods and the first tour was finished this week . The crew did a great job working on the trail section near town and will finish the second rocky section next week when they return, this will take care of the more demanding remaining section of the trail and will leave us to do the flat sections by a few more work days , the total of the 11 miles is now about 90% done with very short sections and easy access.So As the winter nears it would be great to finish the trail before a flower hike in the Spring!!!! I will keep you posted on the dates.
OK so now the hard stuff I had dinner with two young men the other night they had just traveled cross country from Death Valley and ask what I thought about the summit section? My answer was in the positive with a few thoughts about gear weather and conditions , we had just had a storm and another was due to be a cold front with summit temps below zero with high winds . They said they had limited gear and no experience with higher elevation travel. I said you should be fine to the Portal and maybe to Outpost Camp but beyond that the world takes on a new meaning. No trail markings, high winds and very cold with only a few hours of day light and very little chance of help from others.
Many people experience say 10,000' or travel to Mammoth and reach 12,000' on a lift but the world again changes from the 12,000' to the 14,500' now you are tired cold and have many miles to go before you sleep and the luxury of just sitting under a tree and taking a break is gone during the winter .Every thing you do has to be planned and with a back up plan to protect yourself from the elements. This plan can not fail.Many people gain this experience over years of winter travel and can enjoy the conditions and spend many days out in the weather .You need the experience in a safe zone until the skills are honed and the gear is tested.
These young men were strong enough to do the distance but lacking in the experience for the Mountain and made the choice of coming back when the weather was warm and the trail was dry.
Have a great Thanksgiving weekend with friends and Family
The Portal Crew
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 992 Likes: 2
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 992 Likes: 2 |
Thanks for the updates, Doug. Hope y'all had, and are continuing to have, a nice Thanksgiving weekend, too.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 904
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 904 |
OK so now the hard stuff. I had dinner with two young men the other night; they had just traveled cross country from Death Valley and asked what I thought about the summit section? My answer was in the positive with a few thoughts about gear weather and conditions; we had just had a storm and another was due to be a cold front with summit temps below zero with high winds. They said they had limited gear and no experience with higher elevation travel. I said you should be fine to the Portal and maybe to Outpost Camp but beyond that the world takes on a new meaning. No trail markings, high winds and very cold with only a few hours of day light and very little chance of help from others.
Many people experience say 10,000' or travel to Mammoth and reach 12,000' on a lift but the world again changes from the 12,000' to the 14,500', now you are tired cold and have many miles to go before you sleep and the luxury of just sitting under a tree and taking a break is gone during the winter. Every thing you do has to be planned and with a back up plan to protect yourself from the elements. This plan can not fail. Many people gain this experience over years of winter travel and can enjoy the conditions and spend many days out in the weather. You need the experience in a safe zone until the skills are honed and the gear is tested.
These young men were strong enough to do the distance but lacking in the experience for the Mountain and made the choice of coming back when the weather was warm and the trail was dry.
Maybe this could be a 'hot topic' during fall/winter/spring season. Might just save a life or two... Thank you, Doug.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,018 Likes: 4
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,018 Likes: 4 |
Hi Spent some time with one of the County Road crew over the weekend and the road project came up , we were talking about the detours after the upper section is opened. Since this will be during the time most will travel to Whitney several short cuts may help. From the South take Lubkin Road to Horseshoe Meadow then turn right, this is a narrow road but paved.
Traveling from the North you can use Moffet Ranch/Hogback Creek road to the Portal road, joins near the start of the first switchback or where you see the Road closed sign in the winter.This road is dirt but traveled often by locals. Watch your speed as some sections are sandy and washboarded.
The detour MAY use Tuttle Creek Road , very narrow /one lane and hills with no sight distance so be very cautious on this road.
We should start getting final details soon , I think the contract was released and bids will start to come in. The project is saying 1 year to complete.
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