Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Main Trail: Current conditions?

Any recent updates? I'm planning on going up this weekend. Has anyone been on the main trail or MR lately?

Hi, we camped in the Alabama Hills the night of Thanksgiving. I placed 4 pictures of the mountain taken from the valley on Friday. It is obvious there is not much snow up there yet....no new snow lately. It was kind of windy and cold so we spent our time climbing around in the Alabama Hills.

Look at the 4 pictures starting here.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2233622540061435028JHVYxN

Bob R. posted these pictures of the main trail on the 15th of November.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockwellb/sets/72157603222310057/

"Two other China Lake MRG-ers and I did an overnight climb of Mt. Whitney by the trail. The snow conditions on the switchbacks were more exciting than I had expected (the cables were straightforward, though). We didn’t use crampons and axes on the ascent, although I would definitely recommend them unless you are experienced on this type of terrain. We did use them on the way down.


Other than southern exposures, there is significant snow coverage above Lone Pine Lake or so. But the depth is minimal, given the season."

Was the road open all the way to the trail head?

If the road is open, I would like to make a trip later this week or weekend. I am thinking about making a one night trip.

Any information would be very appreciated. Thanks

Yes - a couple of friends dayhiked up to Trail Camp on Monday without any problems.

Thanks Kevin!

The weather looks like it's going to remain dry and relatively safe this week and into the weekend, so I am going to head off on Thursday night and get an early start on Friday morning.
I am hoping to summit on Saturday and get back to the car on that afternoon.

The weather has really held up this year. No snow on Shasta, so I think I will go up to Whitney.

Thanks for this great board and everyone's willingness to share information.

Joe

Joe, let us know if you go and how it goes - there is an off chance I may be able to spend a bit of time in the Sierras in December; and if so would like to *attempt* Whitney then, if the stars are aligned... Good luck!