Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Road conditions to Onion Valley

Anyone been up that way lately ? I'm heading up this weeked and the ranger says the road is closed at SEVEN PINES & UPPER GRAYS MEADOW CAMPGROUND. Hoping I can get much further than that.

Thanks

Paul

Haven't been up there for a couple weeks, but I do know that when the Rangers say it's "closed" they mean there is a sign saying "Closed". One can easily drive past the sign and continue up the road. In the beginning of march I drove to around 6900ft before I hit snow. I suspect you may be able to drive to nearly 8000ft, when the road begins to head off the Eastern slopes and into Onion Valley. Good luck.
Eric J Lee

As of 4/17, 8100' was the end of the road. About 4-5' of snow remains on the road at that point. Only for a couple hundred yards then spotty after that but the cars deffinitely stop at the 8100' level.

As of this Sunday, April 24 the road still ends around 8100. Hiked up towards Independence Peak with some friends and did some skiing. Here are the pics.

http://members17.clubphoto.com/richard724261/3212615/owner-9fd5.phtml

The snow in the sierras is incredible right now. We also headed into the south fork of Big Pine Creek drainage the day before.

http://members17.clubphoto.com/richard724261/3212512/owner-9fd5.phtml