Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Current Portal Road Conditions??!

We were up there 2 weeks ago Feb 22/23 during the big storm that hit the area, we had to park a few hundred feet before the Road closed sign.

Does anyone know what the current conditions are on Portal Road? How far down (or up for that matter) can we excpect to park?

My guess would be that we can get at least a mile or more past the road closed sign...we have had 10 days of pure sun and warmer weather. But eyewitness accounts would be appreciated.

We will be in the area this weekend Sat/Sun.

Thanks

Hi I drove to the road closed sign Saturday area had about 150 search and rescue people(training) , so didn't go past the road closed sign but the south facing portion looks dry but would expect ICE on the first two lowwer switchbacks, the warm day help the snow removal but adds to the ice buildup, and from the Campground on should have solid snow/ice . Word was maybe a commerical was to shoot on the Portal road yesterday or today, but they would stay below the road closed sign, side note several years ago a crew doing a commerical found out how fast a backhoe can come down fron thge second switchback. Thanks Doug

Mafiose13,

Did you happen to get out that weekend? If so, how were the roads?? I'll be there the 20th so hopefully there's not too much snow left on the roads! Also, how was the general condition of the trail? Thanks for any info!

Byron

Byron:

See here and here for road conditions.

-L

Drove up ONion Valley road this afternoon on the way home from LP. Road is clean and clear up to the Grey Campgrounds (wasn't there a gate here?), then immediately some good rockfall on the road. No worries getting around that via the turnouts, and it continues up to the first big switcher about the CGs. Snow on the east facing slopes covers the descent lane above the switcher, then finally covers the whole road at about 7100ft or so. Darnit! I have to admit after seeing the Portal Road in such good condition I was hoping to go play up there...

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