Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Miter Basin/Mt Whitney July 15/16

FRIDAY JULY 14- HIKE PREPARATION

While sorting gear at Whitney Portal, turned back on open trunk of car (5 feet away) for 10 seconds. Turned around and found small black bear in trunk. Did not think he was looking for a ride into town. He departed upon my polite request. (Only clothes/tools were in trunk.)

Walk-in Campground at Cottonwood Lakes TH very busy, Conveniently, running water available at faucet next to nearby restrooms.

SATURDAY JULY 15- COTTONWOOD LAKES TH TO UPPER CRABTREE LAKE:

No snow on trail over Old Army Pass. Near top of pass, easily negotiated a few boulders on trail.

Headed one mile towards Mt Langley, then turned left to join Old Trail (not on recent maps) headed down to Upper Soldier Lake. Easiest to descend this steep sandy area by not cutting the many switchbacks.

Reaching meadow feeding Upper Soldier Lake, stayed high on 11,200' contour and worked way into Miter Basin.

Until reaching Sky Blue Lake, scant water sources encountered.

Sat out hail storm for an hour, taking cover in trees next to waterfall at outlet to Sky Blue Lake.

Went to left around Lake 12,129' while staying high.

No significant snow on north side of Crabtree Pass. Descended chute to left, emptying onto nice campsite 50' above Upper Crabtree Lake. Seasonal water source at camp done for summer, so dropped onto campsite below on lake shore.

Moonlight glistened brilliantly on lake at night.

SATURDAY JULY 16- UPPER COTTONWOOD LAKE TO MT WHITNEY/ EXIT TO DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER AT WHITNEY PORTAL STORE

Started ascent of "Sand Hill" at outlet of Upper Crabtree Lake. (Discovery Pinnacle is directly above, but can not be seen). Stayed in rocks to right as much as possible (faster progress for me).

Topped out and descended very loose terrain to join Main Trail on its final lengthy switchback. Careful not to dislodge rocks on hikers passing on trail below.

Followed Main Trail to Mt Whitney and then back down to Whitney Portal.

Enjoyed double cheeseburger and lengthy conversation with Doug Sr.

Already looking forward to doing this hike (or some variation of it) again next season. Awesome terrain!

Jim

Excellent!
Just curious if diverting over to the old Whitney Pass vice Discovery Pinnacle is an option.

Andy,

Staying on the the ridge heading from Discovery Pinnacle to Whitney Pass, it is easy terrain for about half the way. Then what is close to a knife edge develops and finally the terrain eases on the final approach to Whitney Pass.

After a dusting of snow, from Trail Camp one can see parts the Old Trail heading toward Whitney Pass. I believe that segment of the Main Trail was abandoned in the late 1940s after massive blasting and the creation of the 99 switchbacks (ie rerouting of the Trail.)

There is some interesting history on the Mountain to investigate!

Jim

PS: I seem to recall once seeing a photo of Bob Rockwell standing on Whitney Pass holding a decades old Whitney Pass sign he had just discovered. Possibly the sign is now housed at the Whitney Portal Store.

WPSMB Members Photo Albums Bob R. 2009-09-12 has some great pics of him going up to Whitney Pass breaking off the main trail around switchback 29-ish. And yes the pic of him holding a chunk of the old sign.

Google Earth shows some definite remnants of the old trail.

Interesting stuff.