Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Hiker Parking

I'd like to thank everyone on this board for all their help. I first tried Whitney in 2006 and failed. I tried again in 2008 and made it. Is it too late to post a trip report?
My question is, Why is the overnight parking marked "Hiker Parking", I think a lot of day hikers use this instead of the day lot. I had a hard time finding a spot and noticed quite a few people with no packs at all heading up for a day hike. Would it make sense to call it "Overnight Parking"?

Absolutely not too late. Post up your trip report. Lets hear about it... AND, congratulations for your successful summit!



The day use lot has certain hours on it that make it difficult for Whitney day hikers to take advantage of these parking spots. I think the hours don't begin until about 8am. Usually people start their day hikes many hours before then meaning they must use the overnight lot.

I don't mean the day hikers going to the summit, they have my deepest respect and can park anywhere they want as far as I'm concerned. It was people just doing a couple hour day hike to Lone Pine Lake, etc. There is no way the people I saw where going to the summit. They had nothing, maybe carrying a bottle of water in hand.
I by no way mean to minimize day hiking, that's mostly what I do.

I think that the 'hiker parking' label is used to encourage those, overnight or dayhikers who plan and are able to hike moderate distances (or more) to park in the lower lots and allow those not so capable to gain easy access to Whitney Portal facilities, pond and store by parking at the top lot. Facilities at the pond include a handicapped accessible fishing platform. The Portal Store serves those who may not hike and who shouldn't have to hike to get to the store. Unlike the 'day use parking' where overnight parking is prohibited, I don't think there is any enforcement against those who park in the 'hiker parking' and don't hike.

Dale B. Dalrymple