Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board High Sierra Trail Conditions, July 4-7, 2022

Hiked the 75 mile HST which crosses the Sierras from the Biggest Trees (Giant Forest) to the Highest Peak (Mt Whitney). Camped at Precipice Lake, Kern Hot Springs, Crabtree Meadow. Some notes:

When picked up permit July 3 at the Giant Forest Museum (Lodgepole VC closed this year), the area was very congested with traffic. Factor in extra time if picking up a permit there.

Despite being near closing time at the Wilderness Permit Window, there were 14 permits still available for walkups for July 4. (The daily quota for both reserved and walkups is 30 for the HST.)

The weather was superb with clear skies. No evidence of smoke in any direction.

For the entire hike, the water levels in the creeks were what one would normally expect in late August. Seasonal creeks already were dry. All the larger creeks (which can be very problematic to cross in early July) were crossed in no more than ankle deep water.

Upper Hamilton Lake was very crowded with campers, but only three of us camped above at Precipice Lake. Kern Hot Springs campground was crowded, but the hot spring made camping there enjoyable.

Mosquitos were not experienced, except during the descent from the Kaweah Gap to the campsites next to the Big Arroyo Patrol Cabin and at Junction Meadow.

The four miles along the Kern that was devastated by fire a couple of years ago, are now being repopulated by plants, making the area more pleasant to hike through. Several big tree branches fell near me as I passed there. Worth paying attention to what's above you.

Coming up the trail to Mt Whitney from the west side were mostly hikers finishing the JMT, HST, or coming from Horseshoe Meadows. Apparently, most PCT hikers have passed through the area.

Unfortunately, I finished at Whitney Portal too late to get a cheeseburger, but fortunately it was easy to hitch a ride down to Lone Pine.

Jim

PS: Good luck to the Badwater to Whitney runners who start out tomorrow.

So the kitchen was closed, but what about the bar?

"but what about the bar?"

Barely any daylight remained when I landed at the TH at 8:40 pm. The lights at the Store were on and people were lounging on the outside deck, conversing (I think I heard Doug's voice), and likely enjoying a beverage.

I had a strong urge to go up to the Store, say hi, and have a Sierra Nevada. But my survival instinct told me I better stay at the TH and work the parking lot for a ride into town.

Just as the Store lights went out a little after 9 pm, I secured a ride into Lone Pine. The kind driver was an estate attorney and (in addition to the free ride) I got some free legal advice for a project I am working on.

Later at the Mt Whitney Store Hostel in Lone Pine, Maura told me the kitchen at the Store at the TH closes at 7:30.

So take notes folks: Kitchen closes at 7:30 pm. Bar closes at 9:00.

Jim

Starting to look for advice on HST, JMT and PCT...
(Assuming I don't lose interest in getting back into better hiking shape, I'd like to do the HST soon, the JMT post-summer and the PCT starting next Spring.)

If I'm reading this correctly, I shouldn't have a problem getting a walk-in for HST. Can you arrive early and get a permit for same day departure? (Planning for 5, but won't mind if I can up the pace.) Is the Main Trail part of the HST? If not, I'd probably head back down the JMT from the summit, up the Artic Lake drainage and exit out the NF. (I'm still traumatized by the 97 Switchbacks.)

Regarding the JMT, I'm thinking 14-15 days. Is there a convenient resupply about 100-115 miles in?

(BTW: I know I could google it, but I'd rather read answers here...)

Richard,

Congratulations on your 50 years on the Mountain. I enjoy your posts/pictures. Now let's tack on another 15 years! Sounds like you are heading in the right direction.

A walk-in permit for one hiker on the HST should be easy. You can start hiking the same day you get the permit, which I have done several times. Getting a walk-in permit for five might not be a certainty. The SEKI permit quota season ends September 17.

A HST permit allows an exit down the Main Trail. But then, how to get back to Crescent Meadow? A few years ago Betsy did the HST with a friend. As I recall, Jack was recruited to provide shuttle service. Maybe your wife can step up, if you folks still live in Ridgecrest.

If you do not like going down the 97 switchbacks, then traverse over to Whitney Pass from Trail Crest and descend the Old Trail.

The JMT in 14-15 days sounds good. Resupply at the Muir Trail Ranch. It is 108 mile from the start, independent of whether you start at Happy Isles or Whitney Portal.

Jim

Thanks.

Great info.

One of the JMT hikers I talked to on Monday also mentioned MTR.

That's a nice alternative on descending to Trail Camp. Once there, Bob's shortcuts would make the rest of the descent close to pleasant.

Transportation is not an issue... I'm delivering a motorcycle to the Portal and then driving my truck to the west side. I've been searching on parking for the HST and know you probably know the best plan? (Someone posted that you can park at Crescent Meadow if you get there early. I don't know that I'd believe that.)(If that's legal, it would be: park at Crescent Meadow, shuttle to/from Giant Forest Museum for the permit? On the return, I could probably state that I've got a vehicle parked at Crescent Meadow.

Now all I need to do is find my backpack, bear canister and some other essential camping gear. (Or rent a can from Doug...)

Richard,

I have always managed to get a parking spot at Crescent Meadow (the HST TH) and have left my car there for up to a week without a problem. To get my favorite spot requires me to show up at say 6 to 7 am. In the afternoon on a weekday, one might have to wait 3 minutes for a spot to open.

This year the Park Shuttle leaves every 8-12 from Giant Forest Museum to Crescent Meadow. Shuttle Service ends Sept 11. If one has a wilderness permit, he can drive to crescent Meadow 24/7. On weekends when the Shuttle is running, those without permits must ride the Shuttle to Crescent Meadow.

No water is available at Crescent Meadow, but there are restrooms and plenty of functional bear boxes.

The Lodgepole Visitor Center (where HST permits are usually issued) is closed this season for renovation. Temporarily, HST permits are issued at a Wilderness Permit Window at the Giant Forest Museum.

Tip: Parking availability across from the Museum looks impossible. Go down the road to the Overflow parking area (only 100 yards away, but not visible from the regular parking area where people are driving in circles). Numerous available parking spots will be available in Overflow.

Jim

Thanks.

Reading though the NPS website, it looked to me that there is a fee for walk-in permits too, and I happened to see one available for the 25th, so I grabbed it.

Just throwing out a final update...
A Happy Isle/Donohue Pass permit opened up for the 21st of September...
Since it meets my desire for a late-summer/early autumn walk, I grabbed it...
Gives me 10 days to get to MTR for a resupply...
Love it when things fall together without even trying too hard...
Here's hoping I pick up that addiction to the Backcountry again...

Thanks for the help Jim.