Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Any day hikers this Saturday 6/18?

I am planning to attempt a day hike Sat 6/18. Not exactly sure what time I'll start, but maybe 2:30am.

Good news is the moon will be close to full (6/22 it is full) and it is near the summer solstice (also 6/22)!

Caidin,

I have a day permit the following weekend but am very interested in how things work out for you and the current trail conditions. From recent board responses it seems that snow is not a problem until trail camp (provided you take the main trail) and the top portion of the switchbacks are clear. It seems as if most if not everyone has taken the chute up to trail crest.

I would be extremely grateful if you could provide a trip report upon your successful completion (think positive thoughts) so I can get a good idea of what to expect the following week.

I will be there on Sat, 6/18 with a friend. We weren't able to reserve a campsite, but the ranger mentioned it shouldn't be a huge issue to get a first-come one either at the portal or at the lower camp. We were planning on getting on the trail around 4am, taking the traditional switchback route up, and hope to be back to the car by 6pm.

Just the two of us, so if you'd like to join us, we'll be happy to provide some company for the day. Just reply and I'll check the board tomorrow am before we head out.

We also have a spare day pass for 6/18 if anyone needs it...freebie!

Rospenda, a permit for Sat would be cool if you still have it. Thanks Dave

Rospenda:

From the looks of recent posts, you might be the first to head up the switchbacks this season -- in spots there's still a significant amount of snow. Cruise around on the "search" function on the Board for more info from those reporting on recent hikes and trail conditions.

Good luck!

I too will be dayhiking this Saturday. I'll probably be going up the MR and then down the main trail. I just hope the quality of the snow is at least as good as it was on Thor last weekend. Should be a long but hopefully rewarding day.

-Rick

Rospenda, guess the permit is gone, I have decided to go elsewhere this weekend, thanks.

not that this is big deal, but FYI, moon set will occur at about 01:30 AM friday night/saturday morning

does anybody know if the waterfall below east face lake is easilly accessable or if need to tank up at clyde meadow - also thinking of doing the mr on saturday. the mountain is calling and I must go

Rospenda, thanks for the offer. I will probably leave a little earlier than you, as I want to be able to take my time. I will keep my eye out for other hikers and maybe we will run into each other higher up and can go from there. I have assumed I will go up the snow chute, but will see what the switchbacks look like when I get there.

Should be a good hike!

the sierra gator and I had a great hike of whitney today. We started from the trail head at appr 6am and hiked the mountaineers route up. We reached summit appr 2pm- after some social time incl a drink of champagne brought up by a fellow hiker - we headed down the main trail. We bagged muir on the way down and were back to the car by about 630 for an after hike brewsky.
the weather conditions were very nice today - only a minor amount of wind. the 1st water falls (below bow scout lake) had lots of ice early - please be careful when hiking. Was able to get water at waterfall below east face lake - but with the heavy ice it is only a trickle at a time. we were glad to have the crampons and ice axe when climbing the chute above the lake - it helped. and we would not have even attempted the chute above the notch without this equipment - it was hard frozen snow. fortunately there have already been a few steps kicked in to aid the climb.
the main trail has much better conditions. with all the people now going - the trail is pretty well kicked and plowed in all areas. the switch backs are starting to get exposed - but still lots of snow - most people are still heading up the chute. the glissade back down was uneventful - hard snow has made for slow glissade speeds. snow on the back side beyond trail crest is nearly gone now - no special equipment needed for that.
everyone enjoy and keep on climbing

Hey Tom,

If I had just been a bit faster I might have met up with you. I was making my way up the North Face when you were on the summit. Saw your name signed in the register. I reached the summit at 3:00pm. That icy snow below Trail Crest ripped up my shell pants when I attempted to glissade down. Eventually I gave up and switched back to crampons which ended up being faster than trying to glissade that hard icy snow.

-Rick

Dave - sorry about the permit...I was slammed at work trying to get on the road and failed to check the boards as planned before hitting the road Friday. Should have come anyway as we didn't hit any rangers on the trail checking permits! Doh!

In any case, hope you had a great weekend in your auxiliary plan.