Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board October conditions

Can someone say what the typical weather conditions around the mountain are in October? I've seen Accuweather, but it only goes back one year. Does it really reach 90+ degrees in October? I'm assuming snow is possible at any time, but is it typical at all during October? I'm trying to figure out if I should put in some lottery dates for October. Thanks.

Snow is a real possibility in October. For sure there will be fewer hikers, less daylight, colder temps, more ice,..

October belongs to the Shoulder Season. In the Third Edition of his book "The Mount Whitney Guide: 30 Years on the Mountain", the owner of the Whitney Portal Store notes that the Shoulder Season is sometimes called the "Dying Season."

Doug Thompson's book might be a good addition to your library.

Hope to see you up on the Big Mountain next summer.

Jim

Agreed, early October can be nice and pleasant some days but even then there is definitely less daylight, colder temps and more ice. October also gets snow storms.

Here are the "Mount Whitney Guide: 30 Years on the Mountain" books. Both editions are great, highly recommended:

https://shop.whitneyportalstore.com/Books_c13.htm

Like to Thank Jim and James for the reports
We have our first snow storm most often the last week of August then we are set up for the winter cycle about every 7-10 days a system will move by , this isn't saying we will get snow each cycle but we could and for sure the upper elevation moisture will be sleet/hail/snow and STRONG wind on the ridge.
The major storms are later now , most often end of the year, but as soon as you plan a Oct-Nov trip we may get 3-5' of snow . Road closed and no packed trail to follow. Most often people turn around early , because of lost the trail, very slow going and the load is very heavy for the gear needed.And just not enough time , winter trips can be 4-5 days in good weather on the main trail.

I say May and October are not for hikers,conditions can require full winter mountaineering. If you have the experience and the gear it can be done.

And then there was that one weird mid-October monsoon storm that came through and we were sitting around the portal in shorts & t-shirts after dark watching the lightning. Maybe I was dreaming...