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Joined: Jan 2008
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First time user. I'm sure the information is here but I have been unable to find it, granted I am an idiot.
I would greatly appreciate any information or location of information of typical trail conditions for the month of May....early to mid May. I am assuming plenty snow and ice. I would be hiking up the switchbacks.
Thanks.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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tWilson, read through the orientation notes for first timers (links on left side of this page). Generally you will experience snowy and treacherous conditions, especially near the cables area and high up on the switchbacks. These conditions may exist well into June, so certainly you will see such in May. Also, here is a link to an extensive post by Kurt Wedberg regarding winter conditions on Whitney. http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum/...=true#Post43217Have a great trip!
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Unless it is a very dry year, snow can be solid above 10000 feet in early May. Days can be nice but nights are still very cold. May 20, 2007, after a very dry snow year, Bob R. took this photo from Wotons Throne of the switchback area. It clearly shows the 97 switchbacks still covered with snow and tracks sliding down the snowfield west of the switchback area. That early in the year you will take this snowfield for sure. Discussion and pictures are here http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/35198/page/53#Post35198Kashcraft took this picture Memorial Day weekend 2006, looking from Thor Peak toward the switchback area above trail camp. It shows a ton of snow still. http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2402231860061435028AWLjme
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Joined: Dec 2002
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I can almost guarantee you will not be hiking up the switchbacks. Last year after a dry winter, we watched more than a few folks attempt the switchbacks but they were stopped at the cables by untenable conditions and had to "scramble" down to access the chute to continue towards Trail Crest. I would think the conditions last May were similar to those found in June of a normal snow year. Below is a link to the pictures of that trip. http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559049009idbmct
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Thank you very much everyone for all the information!
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Does anyone have any suggestions about places to acclimate that time of year? Places that might be easier to access on account of the heavy snow conditions in May. We will be coming from New York so altitude exposure will be a must prior to our Whitney bid.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Keynot and Inyo are right across the street and both are over 11k feet with great elevation gain
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Joined: Dec 2002
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What airport will you be flying into? There could be different answers based on that information.
If you are coming from the south, Whitney Portal most likely will be the best place to acclimatize. The Portal will be open and you can go up the MMWT or Meysan Trails for go high/sleep low.
Onion Valley and Horseshoe Meadow might be available depending on the amount of snow, how late winter stays with us and how warm our spring is. In, other words, check back a couple of weeks before you wing your way to CA.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Great, thanks for the info. We will be coming up from the south. I'm shipping my gear to Bakersfield so we will be heading out from there. I thought the Portal would be the likely spot. Is the place relatively calm that time of year?
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Joined: May 2007
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If you're coming in early to mid-May, the road to the Portal may not be open the entire distance. It's maintained by Inyo County, which is a large county (about the size of NH) with a population of <13,000, so it has limited resources. I've been told the goal is to have all the roads open by the time trout fishing season opens (late May, I believe) but sometimes in a heavy snowfall/rockfall year it can be a bit later.
Having said that - the road is kept open to 6K', and the Portal is a bit over 8K', so you can trek in/out the difference.
If you search this site a few days before your trip you should be able find out whether the road is open.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Thanks Kevin. I suppose it is fine to just park along side the road? No tow away action, that would be an unfortunate surprise upon returning from the mountain. I'm guessing the bears are a bit grumpy early May? This is all assuming I score a lottery spot. Thanks again.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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If you're coming in early to mid-May, the road to the Portal may not be open the entire distance. It's maintained by Inyo County, which is a large county (about the size of NH) with a population of <13,000, so it has limited resources. I've been told the goal is to have all the roads open by the time trout fishing season opens (late May, I believe) but sometimes in a heavy snowfall/rockfall year it can be a bit later.
Having said that - the road is kept open to 6K', and the Portal is a bit over 8K', so you can trek in/out the difference.
If you search this site a few days before your trip you should be able find out whether the road is open. My experience has been over the past few seasons that they've had that road open by May 1 which is when the quota season starts. Sometimes it has been open even before then. If we have a heavy snow year there might be some snowbanks in the shady spots but you should be able to get to the Portal by May.
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