Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board When is the road going to open?

#1 question the last month, County started to clear the road then drove off.
Camp ground has a 25 April open date but that depends on the road being open .

We have had several late season systems move in and out. Snow on the upper elevations and very high winds , Today down canyon wind in the Portal strong enough to throw you off balance and blowing sand/rock.

Between 50 - 60 cars parked in the area so some are hiking the mountain , very good chance for a rescue or recovery , cold, snow ,wind and many would not have the winter gear needed for the conditions. trail will be covered in some area by drifts and tracks will be lost with blowing snow. Another system follows later in the week.

These late season storms are very common and can dump snow or just be a wind event , and SoCal in beach weather may trick people into thinking its summer all over.

I think they have started pushing dirt up north to stay open a little longer with limited lifts open so these late systems will help.

Weather still unstable for the week , wind will be a factor as the next system moves in and out.
Rescue near the cable area yesterday no details.

PART OF A POST THAT i NEVER POSTED...

Another comment I would make is that The Cables and the few Switchbacks beyond will probably scare the $417 out of you if there is snow, or ice...

Does anybody know whether Whitney Portal Road is open to Whitney Portal or when it will open? It looked like it was opening today, but I saw a couple of posts that questioned that. I called Inyo County Road Department and got their voicemail. Their website has several very helpful “News Items” about the 2020 construction on South Lake Road, but nothing about Whitney Portal Road in 2022.

Waiting for a solid answer from the County and FS , middle gate was left open Friday but the road closed sign was still at the bottom . FS gate near the trailhead was still locked , so until that opens very limited parking below that gate and campground will not open till May 2, 2022

Meanwhile, what's the status of South Lake Road?

Thank you, Doug!

As of today 4/25 South Lake Road and Highway 168 are still closed above Aspendell (168) and above Bishop Creek Lodge (South Lake Road). The roads above are clear and I think they will open the gates this week by Friday just before fishing season opens Saturday.

Anyone know if the road to Gardiner Basin is open?

Heading from the west towards Roads End, the 180 is still completely blocked by a rockslide near Boyden Cave.

Heading from the east towards Onion Valley, the former 180 is still not open according to yesterday's Inyo County website.

Before the Wilderness Act of 1964 and the establishment of the John Muir Wilderness, the intent was to connect the 180 from the west to the 180 from the east (ie, Kings Canyon and Onion Valley).This would have allowed one to drive up to a parking structure at the base of Charlotte Dome.

Jim

Chauncey is watching and will let us know.

Haha, thanks Jim. I was joking (and was obliquely referring to the "old road" that never was).

This is just like television, only you can see much further.

I did get many updates from far and wide on when the road opened . The 47 Buick that had the road Closed sign in the grill was the official opening, but over heated before the final gate and was pushed over the side. Now the combo truck / 38 foot trailer is backing down the road ,Thlinda doing a great job of traffic control and guidance .
Caltrans did open 89 today and 168 West and the June Lake loop plus several other roads.

The County may open the road soon but the problem is the upper gate that is controled by the Forest Service they keep this gate locked so they can do clean up and repairs , very limited staff and many areas to get cleaned and open.

Water was turned on and tested last week and ready.

If all works out in the next few days we will open ,the store is stocked and ready.

Highway 168 opened up to Lake Sabrina today. Didn't get a look at South Lake Road but will report back when I get a visual.

Can you let us know when WPS opening day is going to be?

Waiting for the road to open , upper gate still closed. Will post when the gate is open.

Gate at Overflow lot still closed over 100 cars along the road near the gate almost down to one lane. If the gate isn't opened expect to park well down the road and make sure you are off the road way and also not in the Forest.
Will update Sat 4/30 /22 if any change.

200 cars today bothsides of the road. Gate may open sometime next week .
If you have a motorhome or camper do not go past the campground. No place to turn around above the campground.

South Lake Road is open.