This was a "first" for all of us. We were very concerned about the weather, given that we were huddled under the trees Sunday evening 8/15 trying to stay dry and away from the bears down at the Portal campground...but Monday through Tuesday late afternoon were spectacular! All of us hiked into and stayed at Trail Camp Monday, then took off for the peak early Tuesday morning with day packs. Most of us returned from the peak to Trail Camp, made lunch, grabbed our backpacks etc. and hiked out and drove back to Orange County Tuesday night (I don't recommend this, as the 395 is very dangerous, especially after you've been hiking Whitney for 13 hours or so! Bob stayed another night at Trail Camp and got rain, hail & snow coming down the switchbacks!
The stars were unbelievable Monday night and the bright orange sunrise was beautiful Tuesday morning. If you want live info. call me at 714-322-8993 over the weekend. Craig aka clyde Whitney.
