Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Dana conditions

I'm hoping to do a long day hike up Mt. Dana this Sunday as a training hike for Whitney next weekend. Anyone have anything on the conditions or any other info on Mt. Dana?

All I've heard is that it may be pretty wet at lower elevations and there is probably snow above 10K. I was planning to take crampons and ice axe, but don't know whether I'll really need them and whether I'll need snow shoes. The ranger station's not open yet up at Tioga Pass and the main station has no info. Can't find much for other websites except one that doesn't have the info I'm looking for. I'd really appreciate it!

I did Dana easily on June 23, last year. All snowfields then could be avoided. I had an axe which was useful on the way down, with standing glissades, but other hikers didn't have them. I'd guess it's fine without crampons. Take them along in your car, so you can leave them or take them if conditions warrant. I find the snow locally is well firmed up, and unless it's frozen in the morning, stepping up shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't rent any considering the cost, and that you can run up nearby ***lor Peak (11,004') and/or Tioga Peak (11,513') for some exercise.

Dana looked pretty bare when we went by on June 10. Might be sloppy going in the woods at the bottom on your way down. I hiked Dana last year before Whitney, Great view.