Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board White Mountain Conditions

Anyone know the recent conditions on White mountain? Can you drive to the gate? What is the snow cover like? Thinking about a weekend mission if the road is clear to the gate.

I would give the White Mountain Ranger Station a call:

(760)873-2500

When I last listened to their recording (last week I think??) they mentioned that they expected the road to the trailhead to be clear and open by Memorial Day. Which I realize is this weekend... hmmm...

Here's a good overall website about the White Mtns as well:

http://sonic.net/bristlecone/WhiteMts.html

I definitely need to get back that way this year. It's SO gorgeous up there!

Have fun!

-Laura

i was there last weekend and we made it to the gate in a honda civic

kurt

Driving that road in a Civic is impressive enough in August.

It is spectacular up there now - especially above the Patriarch Grove - looks like the California Gobi.

The Road and conditions are fine - was up there last Friday night and Saturday morning. Scattered snow banks but the road is clear - no problem for a Honda (if you don't mind many miles of washboard and the potential flats). I drove to the last rise before the road drops and turns back to the west - but there was so little snow that it all should be clear. The hike to the peak should be awesome.

The Silver Canyon Road up from Bishop is a bit of fun - one loose and broken down steep spot, just up from the gate on the climb out of the canyon - the rest is just steep. (definitely not for that Honda!)

Dan

I've learned from a lot of experience not to trust the "current conditions" information from the Inyo National Forest recordings or personnel.

You are much better off talking to returning hikers or reading one of many message boards.

For instance, we were told on the 11th that there was solid snow coverage from Outpost Camp to Trail Camp. The sold coverage did not start until we left the switchbacks to go up the chute. I wish this was the only time we have been misinformed.