Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board HST and Snow?

Hello all! Some friends and I are planning on hiking the HST this summer. However, we are kind of limited in our dates and are thinking of the first week of July. I was wondering if anybody has any experience with the snow on the HST at that time of year (especially the above-average year like we are in)? Any information or advice would be much appreciated.

See the posts from two years ago in Whitney from West - HST. Wallace Creek can be a problem in an above average snow year (like we are having this season).

It is not just the snow level you have to think about it is also how late does it snow and rate of melt.

We did Cirque in mid-June 2005 and 2006. Even though there was more snow in 2006, there was less snow around because it got hot early and there was more melt in '06 than '05.

There are too many factors involved to give you an accurate answer.

Hi,

Our trip on the HST last summer at the exact time you are planning was dry as a bone. In fact, we moved our trip up to early July after talking with folks who warned that some of the creeks could run dry in August. The only snow we saw was a few light patches on the pass way above Hamilton lake. Here is a link to our trip:
High Sierra Trip Report

I've read trip postings from folks who've done the hike in heavy snow years at the same time as you are planning and their big problem seemed to be river crossings. Some of the streams up in the Chagoopa Plateau were quite high and made for exiting passage. Here is a link to their trip:
Jason's High Sierra Trip Report

The other place I've seen deep snow at that time of year is on the switchback down from Trail Ridge. As your trip draws close you can decide weather trekking poles will be enough or if an ice axe might be in order. If you have any doubt, bring the axe because trekking poles are ineffective when a quick self-arrest is called for. I have to say the HST is a really fabulous hike. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would do it again this summer if there weren't so many other great trips in the area.

Enjoy,
Ben