Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Snowshoes on MR approach April 29-30?

I'm planning on doing the MR route next weekend. Anyone know (or have an idea) whether there will be enough snow down low to bypass the ledges? Also, snowshoes or no snowshoes?

Thanks!

today there was still plenty to bypass ledges - suprisingly with cool temps no postholing on the way down - bonus. today's peak was thor - no snow shoes to lower boyscout lake - the glisade down was the bomb

Thanks tomcat.

Will crampons be required to hike up to Lower Boy Scout lake this coming weekend? I plan on driving up from Socal and I only have snowshoes.

Thanks.

If you plan to go up early in the morning, I'd at least carry a pair of crampons.

If you wait until later in the day when the snow softens up, you can climb up to LBSL without them. (This is based on the conditions encountered last Saturday.)

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I climbed the MR last weekend 4/23 - 4/24 and was able to bypass the ledges and just go straight up the gulley. You will need to be careful in that area as the snow bridges over the creek are getting thinner everyday. I did not bring my snowshoes and had no problem with post holing even with a heavy pack in the afternoon.