Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Any feedback on Lone Pine campground?

All of the portal sites are booked for the days I got my permit. Does anyone who has stayed at the Lone Pine campground have any recommendations on campsites? Any help would be much appreciated.

Paul,

I like the walk in spots on the west end of the campground.The creek is a few feet away with great little fishing holes if you like that sort of stuff but pretty much anywhere along the creek is nice.You can reserve a spot there too so you better get with it before you find yourself camping at Portegee Joe's.

Thor

There's nothing wrong with the Lone Pine Campground. Actually, I discovered a few years ago that there is a trail that leaves out of the far end of the campground that takes you to the Portal. It parallels the creek a good portion of the way and is actually a very pleasant trail. After using the trail, I actually felt like it was cheating to start out for Whitney from the Portal at 8300ft when this trail(called the Whitney National Recreation Trail) is so accessible from below. This also makes a good winter base camp. I've found the trail easy to follow even in the snow. Added bonus.....no bears in summer to speak of.

Only 50% of the campsites in the family campground are available for advance reservations. I've never had a problem getting a multi-day campsite without a reservation.

Nothing wrong with LP Campground - but you won't really get any acclimatization sleeping there. Like wbtravis stated, there's usually plenty of non-reservable sites available at the Portal, and the one-night max backpacker sites are completely non-reservable, so if you're there fairly early those are usually up for grabs as well. Last year we reserved 1 night at the Portal and moved the second night to the backpacker sites. It made for an easy pack-up before the hike.

Another option (although about a 45 min to 1 hr drive away) is the one night campgrounds at the Cottonwood Lakes & Horeshoe Meadow trailheads (also non-reservable, but I've never seen them full). A long, curvy drive away, but you can get a night of acclimatization at 10,000 feet.

Since people are mentioning alternate campsites, don't forget about Onion Valley. The walk up to Kearsarge Pass is breath-taking (The view from up there is still at the top of my list.) and a great acclimitization hike. The campsites are at about 9200' up there.

I thought Lone Pine Campground was too hot when I stayed there during the summer.

I stayed there once and couldn't stand the heat. On the campground reservation map my site showed as "partial shade". That amounted to one very skinny tree with a small branch with some leaves. The fishing in the creek was outstanding but I now stay either at Onion Valley or Horseshoe Meadows where it is a whole lot cooler at night, plus you can acclimate at those elevations. Both those places have Lone Pine Creek campground beat by a long shot.

Bob

Paul- Been to the portal campground twice w/o reservations, always got a good spot. Richard/bob- Best way to Onion Valley coming from Yosemite. Thanks.

my thoughts on acclimating - do a small hike the day before your summit bid - then go down and sleep low - even at the motel or LP Campround - you will sleep better and be more refreshed for your summit day hike. just my .02c worth - TC

Nascarskot:

I spend the night at Tuolomne Meadows,
hit Mt. Dana at Tioga Pass, then down 395 to the town of Independance. Take the only road that goes west out of Independance, Market Stree, for about 15 miles. The road ends right at Onion Valley. Lots of great hiking up Kearsarge Pass, good fishing in the lakes, beautiful place. Do keep an eye on your pack if you stop on the way up to the pass, as bears have been known to grab one if left unattended with food in it.

Bob