Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Water on Main Trail

Hello everybody. I did Whitney last year in June and there was plenty of water on the trail and in the lake at Trail Camp. This year we're doing it as a day hike the weekend after Labor Day. Anyone know what the water conditions are like this year? Thanks in advance!

We have hiked Whitney on the last 3 Labor Day weekends. There has always been plenty of water including last year, a drought year. Water will not be a problem. Good luck!

There is permanent ice under the rotting rocks and/or springs that keep the lakes and creek pretty much full. Bring appropriate crypto/giardia countermeasures and you will be fine. Have fun, I'm going to try to get a pass for Sept. 13-15 for a day hike one of those days, maybe I'll see you out there.

Have fun!

Thank you both so much. We are hiking on Sept. 6. In preparation I've been doing Baldy (a lot) including just yesterday. That one is always a killer. Today I am sore, plus I got sunburned. Did White Mt. Aug. 1. Got snowed on, hailed on, and rained on but still managed to make the peak! Next weekend we're doing Gorgonio. Hopefully, I won't choke on Hike Day! Thanks again.

Goody2shz,
You should be ready after doing all those training hikes. Our group of 3 is going up on Friday Sept. 5th. If you are staying at the Portal, let me know what site and I'll give you a first hand trail report when we get down. This will be our first time up Whitney and I'm psyched! Good luck with your Gorgonio climb. I was up that one last weekend. Beautiful, but lots of mosquitos to start and it was pretty hot later in the day. I would advise starting early! See my trip report at http://members.boardhost.com/sgva/msg/12648.html

Goody2shz,

Just hiked Mt. Whitney this past weekend (8/16 & 8/17). There was PLENTY of water from the portal to Trail Camp. I have to say at least 10 places where you can get water. My group carried approx. 3 liters/person, so we didn't have to keep stopping to filter water. Once up at Trail Camp we filled up again. The lake just to the right of Trail Camp had some of the clearest water I've ever seen. No prob with the filter at all. I would suggest you take water closer to the inlet. There wasn't much water from Trail Camp to the summit.

Thanks a lot you two!! I remember there not being much water above Trail Camp. Will be sure to fill up at Trail Camp. Hey, Steve, great trip report on Gorgonio. We are planning to do it via Vivian Creek also if we can get a permit. Is there much water on the trail this summer? Thanks!!

Goody2shz,
There is plenty of H20 on the Vivian Creek trail. You can find stream a'flowin' all the way to High Creek. Tank up there because it's dry there rest of the way. You can find the most current water reports for the SGW at this link
<A HREF = "http://www.howlingduck.com/cgi-local/display_water_data.pl">SGW Water Collector Info</A>
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Hey Hike of your life. I missed your report about how your hike was with your nephew. Post a short summary or email me. Thanks.

Hike of your life. I saw your photo up in Cottonwood lakes. I thought of you while up on the mountain (since you would be there the next day). Sorry it turned out that way for you.