Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board 2026

Hey 2026 let's make this season rescue free !Read all the past trip reports to understand conditions and gear needs get the knowledge, skills and ability for your hikes, training and testing your progress
Whitney is a long hike and the downhill tends to as grueling as the up.
I place sleep deprivation ,dehydration and breathing technique major issues for accidents.

Understand simple slips and falls are a major source of accidents focus every step as a potential slip or fall.

Rescues can be hours 4-6 + first a call or device signal alerts dispatch. S&R mobilization 2 hour drive to the Portal and a ground team about 1 mile an hour to the location. If they come! Other rescues in the County ,weather systems that ground air search may delay a search for days.

Understand many accidents happen after dark so think 11 miles without a known fixed position a person off the trail will be nearly impossible to locate in the dark ,Solo hikers compound the problem ,or a person separated from the core group. With all the available tech now each person should have a basic device that transmits your location .


Gee this sounds like a great hike ! Well Hulda Crooks did it at 91 slow and steady others have used the mountain for the run up Pikes Peak training twice in a day a little over 3 hours each trip , fast no he still only finished 3rd .

I think the basic assessment puts the outcome on each person your overall physical and mental framework and the ability to set your own summit that could be 100 feet up the trail!


2026 ... see you on the mountain the Portal and Hostel Crew

The holiday storm system was very strong up north. We had some snow but the system was warm so we had a high snow level , about a foot at the campground elevation and 2 feet of heavy wet snow in the Portal area ,Doug and Cayden shoveled yesterday. More rocks on the road and several new areas showing rock.

With the wet snow over the long period with wind loading over the weak base from the Oct/Nov systems slopes could slide .


Several tragic events on Mammoth over the Holiday. Mount Baldy is back in the news with at least 3 fatal accidents, 2 recoveries during the shoulder season on Whitney . I notice some great check list posted on S&R websites , PSAR updates and reference to awareness of risk. Please check these out and help get the word out to others .

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/peak-...7ebkNBVtm_vMo_aem_237xEXkUDkJt9VnJ0mrtMw
Hey found this will see if it links

The High pointers Konvention was held in Bishop last Sept. . I joined the club about 30? years ago and this was the first convention I was able to go to as they fall mostly in the peak season for us . I joke I have 50 summits on some mountain and also near my birthplace Mount Sunflower and climbed several times to Mt Magazine Ark. and many failed trips to Boundary (one trip the altimeter said we were above it!)
Pat Moran is on a mission to hit the list

Cayden went up Saturday checking the store .He said a good track was in ,no new snow, the area now has the melt freeze thing going. so icy surfaces in the shade and mush in the sun about 50 mid day.
I walked up yesterday to the top of the first road switchback and a side trip to the secret waterfall. Secret now I couldn't find the path we used before the fire and flood. Many trees down in the area and the slope down looks steeper or ... you know.

Monday S&R did a recovery 2026 not starting out to be that accident free year , Baldy has have several rescues and and last part of 2025 several recoveries.

I have started and not posted about 20 times my thoughts on these events, looking back almost 40 years and working in heavy construction and riding motorcycles from a young age I have had the unpleasant experience to see many accidents and recoveries and surveyed accident locations , it never gets easier most often these event will bring a haunting emotion of not again ... why ... this could of been avoided maybe this stimulates research or the want to gain more knowledge . Maybe but then another accident / recovery with a pattern of the same causal elements.

Social media addresses these events and always a list of suggestions and information that should establish a set of the very basic risks and suggestions to avoid certain conditions or locations. I referenced the S&R sites these have a wealth of background information. I often suggest it isn't a lack of information it is the basic problem of "Not Me" or the sad fact there exist an element in the population that will take risk known or unknown.

Light snow showers today just grey day in town .

This is the classic set up Check the web cam recall the song happy days everything looks calm and docile blue sky not a worry in the world!

Surface could be crusted over hard packed snow above the portal , if you checked the weather this might be the last calm day for about a week , not a great time to test gear and travel in rapidly changing conditions that happens in the mountains wind chill down to -20 snow drifts of chest high, whiteout conditions with strong gust 30-60 mph projected.


This system could bring 3-4 feet of snow at the upper elevation and cold enough to put snow not rain at the lover elevation say down to below 4500' (Lone Pine Campground ) and County snow removal stops below that level, (Olivas Ranch Rd) .

The set up is often we hear going in before the storm ! Since this is a 3 day weekend and the weather is clear and calm I expect some to be on the mountain now with a summit for today or tomorrow , you can see the cloud cover moving in and last night a very large ring of ice crystals in the sky (this hints of moisture in the future) .


I am seeing a uptick in messaging for Baldy and the mountains , All good sound advice the missing element is the 1-2% that will never see the information or ignore it , we see this often where we know groups should stay together or at least stay in contact, most nights we see people hanging around the trailhead waiting for a group member they have left on the mountain or they turned around and now don't have the car keys or a vehicle ,often they will suggest that a rescue be started because... We will call dispatch and put the reporting party on the phone with dispatch. Without a location or injury or more details the dispatch often suggest waiting for the party to come down. Sometimes this is the next day .


Baldy trails closed now until after this storm cycle moves out.


Permit lottery open now , think about condition for May mid June and mid October to November 1 if you get a permit for these periods don't expect a trail. Hiking will be on snow/ice with no trail, cold nights and late or early season storms. You will see hints about things you should have or need first understand what they are for and how to use these items.

We consider 3 questions to see how people might do on the mountain when they ask for hints 1. Do you diet, 2. how much and what have you drank the last few days. 3. have you every been over 12,000' elevation These questions cover most of the general problems of people turning around or having issues.

1. Diet seems basic but if you don't eat and replace the energy as you move...


2. Hydration is critical and understanding the balance or amount , not excessive or enough plus consider electrolytes

3. If a person has climbed over 12,000' they should understand 1,2 and how the world changes at high elevation breathing changes , pace ,conservation of energy and awareness of the surroundings , watching the sky , wind direction, temperature change ,moisture in the air and needed layering.

A training program that adds a 15-20 mile hike at lower elevation should give you and your group hints about the hike to Whitney may go. This test foot ware, chaffing , hydration , sun exposure , exhaustion, group dynamics and a good chance to set a steady slow pace for the Whitney hike .



Let's see how this week plays out since it will be the foundation for the early season conditions.

About that time of the year ... run off started weeks ago and we have had a very warm spring. Postholing and wet slide time snow bridges and we could get the standard late spring storms ?

Most likely the worst time for a trip up the North Fork, I recall a spring coming down from the notch postholing busting through the crust and my feet landing in water, then just a nightmare through the boulder fields.

Road opened to the last gate yesterday afternoon , watch for rocks on the road , don't park in the road or in front of the last gate. parking is very limited about 10 stalls and limited along the edge of the road . Your vehicle must be off the white limit line . Very little snow last night up high , run off is strong now so north fork will be running strong and could see snow bridges , tree wells and rock wells ,

We could still have snow the next 3 months (one June 19 th we had 10 inches at the store) and expect several systems in late April to late May , upper elevation snow can last till mid to late June , main trail above 12.000' will be covered NO TRAIL above trailcamp to trailcrest .Up to trailcamp expect snow / ice and sections of dry trail but many false tracks when snow is encountered.

Last gate is about 300'feet distance to the trailhead.

Opening the road this early isn't a plus in many ways , some people will assume summer conditions and do well until above Lone Pine Lake or Lower Boyscout Lake then winter conditions will be found.

Slow travel so trips will be longer and postholing much of the area until we can get nights with freezzeing temps

A plug for the changing weather folks 2022-23 we had 300% of normal today we are looking like around 10% and March was the warmest on record for many areas, Recall the thoughts were extreme events and some area will be wetter other dryer and some hotter others colder , we might be seeing this now plus the past floods and major cloud burst .Off set with Bishop not seeing rain for 241 days several years ago. When we get weather questions all the above come into focus we are not seeing normal storms or during the historic time frames , we will have long periods of dry weather then several days of intense rain , monsoon season seems to have shifted into mid August and we are still seeing snow by late August on the upper elevation.


Hey bring a jacket and snacks! We could be up in the area and the fire crews could be clearing hazard trees or repair in the Portal and campgrounds so watch for work crews and vehicles. If you see the County road crew give them a hugh Thanks

Getting tick reports, and rattle snakes are out .

Doug did a quick trip up yesterday (to the logs), snow starts on the main trail about the log area before Lone Pine Lake this area and above to Outpost camp area is some what shaded so expect snow/ice.

Caution just past the you need a permit sign the trail follows up a steep slope that is often icy and the trail is gone or tracks will take different directions Left tracks lead to the steepest area and often will lead to nowhere, right side goes up to the small saddle before Outpost camp .

You may see tracks after the log area that continue slightly right of the trail , this is a winter route and can be drifted in , large boulders and steep sections and the outlet of Lone Pine Creek is in this narrow canyon so you could be traveling over the creek Snow Bridges could break through.


On the follow the track method reminds us of the year the retired Army guy and his wife came in early May of a heavy snow year, they ask about conditions we report most turning around the first mile, He says I have years of experience map reading and extreme travel . He said they would try the next day to see how far they could go. Next day they take off and made it where other had turned around. Now the years of experience pays off he has his wife wait as he makes a large loop to the left returns not finding the trail then makes a large loop to the right comes back again not finding the trail. They come back to the store reporting as everyone else the trail is covered.

Until the snow cleared that year all we heard " I followed the track that went in a circle "


With all the mapping apps now I can see a plus and a very strong minus , these mapping apps follow a dry trail , the real world condition might indicate following the app route isn't a safe choice and your skills should be questioned before making route choices .

On the weather sites with the best forecast , pictures, graphs and stuff! The National Weather service (Noaa) will start reporting a southern Sierra and northern Sierra forecast starting April 16. Go to the National Weather 7 day forecast and read the reasoning for the change.

Quick update cold air mass moving in now wind picking up in the valley and a breeze in the Portal.

Last gate still locked crews clearing dead trees and branches in the campground now and working the up to the Portal

Very limited Parking when I left about 11 AM cars very near the sharp turn, but looked like a large group hike with day packs so they may leave this afternoon , that would clear up about 8-10 spots.


Rattle snake on the road just below Lone Pine campground.

Deer moving around , Don't know about the bears yet haven't found any trash as we are moving up and down the canyon but noticed people storing ice chest in the trunks ? And one car had food all over the inside of the car and windows half down , I noticed the windows and thought that's strange from 10 feet away I could see bags/boxes on the seats!


Weather saying a system , with very cold temps , could have snow/rain Saturday/Sunday Summer days gone for a few days.

Switchbacks are showing! will be some time before the cable area clears . Talked with several guides this week Top of the last 400 holding snow , another guide just finished Whitney and Russell , he think give it a few more weeks and the snow will be thin and postholing above Lower Boyscout Lake

Snow last night on the upper elevation, this was the first of 2 systems , stronger one tonight and Sunday

Second system last night 4-11-2026 snow below the Portal cloud cover so web cam only getting the lower elevation this am

Snow from the last several systems will slow the clearing down say we lost about a week of melt plus the new snow.

Crews working on cleaning and removing hazard trees last week and this week , water on and test turned in yesterday campground should open on the 24 th upper gate closed will post when it opens .

Snow level about 10,000' Outpost had more snow from the first storm and guide groups are active now so should get some fresh reports this week. Very cold nights (10 degree forecast) now so early morning travel will be on crust/ice.

Hey big day coming new weather forecast models for the SOUTHERN SIERRA from NOAA Apr 16 2026


Next big event April 22, permits not confirmed will be up for grabs Check Aug 14 ???? Oh and the last week of October for the wild card.

So the fish in the pond have an extra week before they have to start swimming horizontally to stay underwater?

Pond not doing well after the floods in the winter run off of 2023, then monsoon/flash floods of August, North Fork raging brought down the side banks and partial filling the pond with silt. Cleaning may take a few more years for major project might be in the future.

Hey Tuesday another system... some chance of snow but 70 MPH gust at the 12,000' level Tuesday night , strong winds can bring down branches and trees (Tree line is just above mirror lake) , white out conditions, drifts and cover tracks .



https://americanalpineclub.org/news/2023/6/28/snow-climbing






Today was the big release day for the unclaimed permits . heard that in about 1 minute they were gone.

During the season Please release your permit if you are not coming give some one else a chance.

About every day some one will come into the store after the cutoff time and want to print the permit or just to print the permit. If it is past the cutoff time you don't have a permit it is canceled , will not print .

Read all the conditions required and the time frame to meet the conditions .

Some hints on printing the permit Apple phones you may need to create a pdf file ??????

On your phone the box that says print might not be on the screen ????

You have the confirmation e mail NOT THE PERMIT if you didn't confirm by the date required you don't have a permit.

You should have a fire permit also and the Park service has a page to print

The leader signs the permit and prints and will have the permit to show the ranger if ask

Ok poop bags required and will be checked along with the permit

Over night permits require a bear canister and can be checked with the permit

Wag bags /Poop bags are free at the trail head in the green boxes , place the used bags next to the trailhead restroom in the boxes just to the left of the bathroom

Water at the trailhead and in the campground (no water at the walk in campground ) close by at the trailhead and overflow parking lot

Ok parking during the main season fills every night 12-4 AM then clears somewhat around 8-10 PM as hikers come down so you may need to park along the road make sure you are off the road!

The parking lot by the pond is for day use not over night

The BIG ONE some one took my pack! I left it next to the tent /bathroom/ trailhead/car! That someone was a bear that has gotten food from all these places by people leaving the packs out. NEVER leave your pack or food items un attended. Never leave food or items that will attract a bear in your car/trunk. Use the storage lockers

Will happen often people leave the food lockers open ! the latches should be checked as you close the lockers make sure the doors are locked.

Phone service is limited we a have a booster at the store that works most of the time but often a weak signal and will not support downloads of large files .

On the mountain if you can see the valley(town) you may have service ,TEXT often better chance that voice.

If you separate from your group " HAVE A PLAN "coming into the store at dark and asking I can't find XYZ we should start a rescue isn't a plan.


While the trail is covered with snow/ice your app is based on a dry trail ! You will need to route find , following tracks can often take you to dead ends or unsafe terrain.



Sorry for the hints but these are most of the normal events we see daily . I hope they answer most of your questions always arrive a few days ahead of your hike , search out the parking trailhead and talk with hikers coming down,

The hike is long and often takes many more hours than expected 18-20 hours is common

OK Last for sure 13 water stops on the trail up to about mile 6.5 so filter/refill and cut the weight down you carry . The blue lines on your apps/topo maps are water sources.



I added the American Alpine link to refer back to what was common until the trail runner days foot ware Boots were the norm with full shanks and kick steps were often the method of accent/plunge steps for descending. The article suggest that many accidents can be avoided by training and experience.

Gate opened Friday afternoon , Store will open 9 AM Sunday morning with limited food for the first few days we get our main supply delivery on Wed afternoon .

Light rain in the Portal this afternoon and temp was 38 at 6 PM , so snow just above the Portal parking lots clearing so looks like a lot turned around today.

Check the webcam in the morning for new snow on Thor (12,000')

Bear brake in last night ,car had food in the front seat area, destroyed the drive side window and tracks inside the car.
Now that the bear got food from a car all cars are a target ,this is early in the season for a break in and most years starts with claw marks on the car and windows no break ins till mid summer so this bear is older and has been in cars before.

The rule of 3"s minutes no breathing, 3 hours no heat during extreme cold, 3 days no water, 3 weeks no food.
This morning we had a missing person event , the concern was they didn't have enough food or water
, not that they didn't stay as a group.

Missing person was found once one group member hiked back up and found the person near Lone Pine Lake.

Often this isn't the out come.

Some updates trail clearing to about Mirror Lake then mostly snow till trail crest , system yesterday May 27 did cover most of the trail from trail crest to the summit but that should blow out or get tracked in.
I think the first couple finished the HST yesterday , they used the switchbacks and said the cable area was risky with spikes and poles.

Up tick in traffic the last month since we have had warm weather, several systems and one working it's way in and out today mid 30's in the Portal and would expect teens at the upper elevation.

Bear brake in's now and many leaving food in the vehicles.

Repeat about groups leaving people on the mountain and not understanding until there is a valid injury or location rescues may not be started for hours . GET THE CAR KEYS. Stay together ! stay in communication . Have a device that sends and will receive messages .

Don't blindly follow your trail app and don't follow tracks if you can't see a logical reason why they go THERE.

The weather isn't the issue it is your understanding of the conditions and events the weather may create .

Same with gear others have suggested you need .If you don't have the gear , never used the gear and plan on the discovery method of learning a snow covered alpine mountain with miles from a rescue resource can be risky. Travel to a zone you feel secure and use the experience as training hike , do this many times before attempting a winter climb.

Not much to report , very little snow left on the trail short section at the cables that people are using the "tunnel" and a very short patch above . Cold air mass moved in yesterday afternoon and temp this AM in the Portal about 50 so could be freezing in he higher elevation, wind light this am.

Cabin for sale in the Portal rare to have one for sale Call Jennifer 760 876 1000 for details .On the upper road so no traffic and cabin is in great shape.

Jim F did a great report several days ago on trail conditions check that out.

I thought we should give a run down on late hikers , groups and solo hikers Many hikers think the trail will take 8-10 hours and tell people see you around that time frame , 16-20 hours is a good average for first time climbers , many reasons but often the down time is longer than than up, also they get lost /off trail in the dark going up or down.

We are talking with people that have waited hours for a hiker to return , they assume the person needs a rescue, , First no one has reported a person down or in trouble ...


the trail is 11 miles , where would the rescue start? We suggest the concerned person call dispatch and report an overdue hiker without a location or known injury most often Dispatch takes the report and suggest call back if they have more information and wait at the trailhead for the person to return . Often the following morning for another call to dispatch with updates did the person stay on the mountain are they moving down and any reports of other hikers seeing the person.

IF YOU DID CALL Dispatch and make a report ,and the party member comes down you need to call dispatch back and report the person is down and needs no help. 760 878 0383 option !


We are still below average temperature and ice has formed on the upper section a short duration of rain about 10 PM the other night , lite snow on the upper elevation. We are watching the monsoon build up forecast for a wet summer , these forecast are often click bait and never develop but just in case .

Yesterday I started seeing clouds ,wispy but clouds weather says no rain but I would watch if we start to see a build up and the clouds turn to a darker grey.?
Ok a person ask yesterday if it was cold on top , I answered mid 30's most likely at night , they ask if that was cold ? hard to answer question walking/moving with lite layers ,head cover , lite gloves and no wind upper body cover not pumping out your heat 30''s are often a gift vs hot days.
The problem is stopping to rest or eat ,30 is cold quick and above tree line as soon as the sun sets it is chilly .Low 40's and below sets you up for hypothermia, moving your body creates heat maybe 7-8 times of at rest plus your clothing may be moist from sweating and as you stop to cool down you open your wind breaker. So 30's become a serious concern, How long you stay at rest and are your retaining some of that generated heat? Notice often you will start to shiver after a few minutes of rest?


As with most of the issues outdoors it isn't the out it is the human element that hasn't been out in changing conditions or are prepare for the changes , going from sea level to alpine your body needs to be aware of all the levels of exposure you will encounter and you need to focus on these changes as you travel. Best way to train is be in the element , you can do body training that is great but the adaptation back to the outside is needed.

Strong cell passing through the area , north fork getting hit and the main trail canyon. Trail will turn to a river and expect wide fast moving water at the stream crossing until this system passes. Portal has had a short rain but that can change quickly' Doug Jr posted on his FACEBOOK page the main waterfall and water flowing into the pond from the North Fork AND THE POND OVERFLOWNG this is normal during these systems , avoid parking in the lower lots as often silt/mud will pack around the cars.
Facebook Doug Thompson

Badwater race going on the winners women and men records were set today , very hot temps this year so this adds to the win under harsh conditions.
Runners will be on the road tonight and all day the 29 th parking will be a mess as support crews come and go .

Monsoon holding on this week , temperature dropped today and hail on the upper elevation, 50 degrees at the Portal 7 PM on the 12 th. I would expect just above freezing at the ridge and above . another cell moving in sometime in the next 24-36 hours.

Hitting the phone a lot today for missing and late hikers , weather causing groups to split some going up some coming down .

Not much changed the last several weeks , colder nights now and more days of wind than normal. Some talk of a system moving in off the coast so watch for more wind and we may have rain /snow later this week starting sometime Sunday on.

Lost keys or waiting for the group with the keys and rescues about normal if any thing more slips and falls , another 79 year old male finishing the JMT fell near Trailside Meadow hitting his head , many reporting seeing the blood on the rocks , a group hiking down helped the person down and he drove down, So to say that next was a rock fall in the area and many thought that injury area was from the rock fall.


Hikers exiting from the long trips reporting very cold nights in the range below 20 degrees.

Many day hikers not having enough layers are turning around , this is compounded by leaving the trailhead at 12-1 AM and entering the alpine zone before or at sunrise (once the sun hits the east facing slopes a mild current/breeze is common) add that to the 25-30 degrees so shorts light jacket not enough protection.

Expect any system from now on to have snow at the upper elevation.

Recall tows /auto problems will take hours or not till the next day. I think a first a person had her car side swiped in the overflow lot while she hiked the JMT. This isn't the worst vehicle story , a lady came into the store and wanted to call dispatch , someone just ran over her she was saving a parking spot another lady decided she was going to use that spot because she had a car the other lady was bipedal ! We called dispatch and reported the lady wanted to make a report...


Wasp active in the area, we added 2 screened tents to eat in , Dark shortly after 7 pm so we are closing at 7 PM and last food order is 5:30 PM Open is the same time 9 AM

Bears active in the Alabama hills , and could travel up so store your food and packs and clean out your car/vehicles .

Second time we have had someone walk up and urinate on the building during the day happened last week , We did get a nice note he explained he didn't know why he did it and was ashamed how he acted in the Portal and Town , the other person had just finished the Bad water race and said she couldn't make it to the bathroom that she had just passed at the finish line. So the 4 th edition will have the" Rest of the stories"

You know why we don't have a shower/ the naked person sitting on the front porch , the burner that flew up thinking it was short cut to the coast...

https://beta.ngs.noaa.gov/new-datums/index.html


OK so the rest of the story on where and how high , the answer is nearing after some testing and feed back . This adjustment process started years ago and the final selection of a reference datum was established to replace both position and vertical (NAD1983,NAVD1988). The new NSRS (National Spatial Reference System) will be the new datum.


It will adjust both the vertical and horizontal location.

NAVD COULD CHANGE 4 METERS ? Going back to the last published elevation of 14494.164 +/- 13.12 feet for adjusted elevation of 14,507.287 or 14481.044 depended on reference surface published.

Some snow Sunday afternoon/night sticking above 12,000' most will melt off but weather unstable until the hurricane moves out. Watch for scattered showers and chance for high winds .

OK maybe a system with a chance for snow coming Tuesday evening and may stay around till Thursday , the last systems brought cold air , winds but little if any rain/snow.

Watch for changing condition ! When to start hints of storm moving in 5 PM Tuesday so thinking about a 10 PM start might not be a great choice.

As above cold air mass hanging around , short daylight hours now so you will be in the dark for hours , trail is dry now but we could get some coverage at the higher elevation . Not enough coverage or packed down where traction devices might help but bring anyway just in case ,these conditions could change during this system and set the basic gear needs from now on. Maybe...

Our plan is close on the 26 Oct same as the campground and start closing up , The last food day will be Sunday 25 Oct.

From the past we know we are entering into the serious hiking season , many will assume it is still a summer hike and may or will have problems , extended periods of cold ice or snow covered trail and lack of basic winter gear for the conditions. Conditions can change quickly , snow can drift and cover the trail. Often hikes take longer since you are moving slower with the added gear. Water sources may be frozen over , (also your water system may freeze).

Watch the web cam for snow coverage.

Heroes hike is coming up Nov 7 great project please join to support the Vets I will add a link to sign up with the WPSMB team Thanks Doug
https://givebutter.com/climb-for-heroes-2026