EwaB,
I hiked the Main Mt Whitney Trail on Memorial Day (5/28). I wore boots, but in retrospect the current conditions are such that I wish I had worn my running shoes (my customary summertime hiking shoes). It was not a few patches of remaining snow I had to cross, but rather my first exposure to altitude this season that made me struggle some.( While driving home 5/29, it was observed that from Mammoth to Lake Tahoe the snow is lingering at much lower elevations than to the south.)
On 5/28 probably several dozen people hiked the MMWT to the summit. I saw no hikers take the snow chute to Trail Crest. To the north of the chute, some climbers were stranded on the East Buttress of Mt Muir. They were apparently waiting for a rescue helocopter to be available.
Some people summited 5/28 by the Mountaineers Route. Looking down from the top, it appeared the last 300 vertical feet (first chute to the left from the Notch) of the MR is in summer condition. A guide I met told me that the MR as a whole is just about in summer condition. No crampons or axe currently needed.
At sunset after the hike, as I feasted on my delicious cheese burger and chichen sandwich, I looked up and saw a large helocopter passing overhead back to the Owens Valley. Hopefully the Mt Muir climbers were returning safely.
It appears we will have a long hiking season this year. Enjoy!
Best wishes, Jim
