Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trails around Whitney

My partner and I are going to be in the Lone Pine area the first week in April. We are looking for a couple of trails to do as conditioning hikes. We have located the Whitney National Recreation trail out of Lone Pine campground and we are wondering if anyone can provide information about it.A couple of questions would be 1) Is it passable in Winter and 2)Avalanche risk.We also have the same questions for the Kearsage Pass trail. Any info you can give us is appreciated.Thanks

Don't know about the Whitney NR trail, but I was just up on the Kearsarge Pass trail(as were a few friends) March 12th-13th. Conditions were as follows; road closed/blocked by snow around 6900ft, full coverage on the road from then on. Avalanche conditions along the trail toward Kearsarge Pass varry depending on snow conditions. The South side of Mt Gould can have avalanches if the conditions are right, so be aware of that. In April snowshoes will definately be necessary, with the possibility of crampons as well. Depending on recent snow falls you will probably have to start somwhere around 6500-7500ft(due to snow blocking the road). It is a beautiful area, and most of the path is hazard free.
Check out my pics at
http://community.webshots.com/album/295959971uswkrE
Eric J Lee

I believe the trail you are referring to leaves Lone Pine Campground and goes up the south side of Lone Pine Creek to Whitney portal. Since there is currently snow above about 7000 feet, much of that trail would be covered with snow.

Around Lone Pine not that much is available while the roads are closed.

You can walk up the road to Whitney Portal from near the road closed area. It may not feel like a great hike but would be a good workout for 5-6 hours.

You could also hike to the church up Tuttle Creek
Take a look at Rick Kent's photos. It is an interesting place and would take a few hours or so.

http://www.rickkent.net/ViewerPlus/viewer.asp?FolderID=264

You could hike up to the Waterfall up Lone Pine Creek. That looks like an interesting place but it is not far. See the pictures @

http://www.mt-whitney.info/viewtopic.php?t=424