Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Tuttle Creek to Tuttle Pass

Has anyone been up the Tuttle Creek drainage this year? Has anyone done this in late April? I am trying to decide between trying to do the main Whitney trail the last week of April, or possibly Tuttle Creek to the little lake I see on topo maps that sits below Mt. Corcoran and Mt. Le Conte as my first day, and then cutting over to do Langley, or maybe doing Le Conte on day 2. I would plan on 3 - 5 days no matter which trip I take. I have done Langley from the easy Old Army pass and south slopes, and when I got to the top and saw the Tuttle Creek drainage, I got one of those, "I have to do that" feelings.

I want to try this trip early in the year before it gets to hot, and I assume water will be at a minimum as the year goes on. How safe would the drainage be in late April? I would not be doing the North face, but would likely try to get from the little lake under Le Conte and pass under the East face of Langley and make my way up some portion of the South - South/East slope of Langley.

I know there are easier ways to get to Langley, but Langley is not the only goal I have. I want to scout the region and take a look at "Tuttle Pass" while I am there for future reference.

Should I just do the main Whitney Trail and forget about Tuttle Creek?

Thnaks in advance for any advice/help.

We were at near the Tuttle Creek Trailhead yesterday taking pictures of the southeast ridge of Lone Pine peak. While I was there I couldn't help but notice the snowfields going all the way up Tuttle Creek to the LeConte Mallory Saddle. The snow is deep and smooth looking, starting at about 8000 feet or so. Looking at it I commented to my son..."that would be a great snowfield to climb"

When I post my pictures on line, take a look at the last few....the ones of Lone Pine peak. I don't have the picture with me, but you may be able to see much of the Tuttle creek canyon.

That sounds great. Can't wait to check out your pics.

Brturner. Here are my photos. There are two photos right near the end in which you can see about 1/2 of the Tuttle creek canyon. Unfortunately you can't see over toward Tuttle pass. Since that is in the southern canyon above the old stone church building it would not be easy to get a picture of from the bottom of the canyon.

http://client.webshots.com/album/290536282LUaaxP

Thanks for the link. Some great pictures of Lone Pine Peak. It is hard to tell how much snow is in the drainage, but I'm sure it's packed. By the way, I took a look at some of your other photo albums, and particularly liked your route through Crabtree Pass over to Whitney. Looks like a blast. Your pictures of Russell and the East Arete are very cool too. I can't wait to get over there as well. Man, just too many things on my list.