Hi
Just wanted to share my solo trip I did on April 17-18 to give you an idea what the conditions look like for those going early May.
Mt Whitney April Expect wintry conditions after the crossing of the Lone Pine Creek all the way up to the top. I recommend snow shoes because the snow will get extremely wet. The switchbacks are impassable, so you'll have to do a "direttissima" to Trail Crest. It is a bit steep, but nothing dangerous. When I went it was still all powder, but the snow might have changed in the meantime, which makes it easier. If the snow turned into corn snow crampons will be necessary. The John Muir Trail is still full of snow/ice and I recommend crampons, because the snow will be frozen until noon and from the photos you can see why I recommend them.
Ignore the comments on the photos, they are for my friends back home in Switzerland.
