Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Wotans Throne: Feb 17, 2008

I thought I'd post something here about current conditions as of 2/17/08:

1) you can only drive up to 6,800 feet on the Whitney Portal Road.
2) Main Trail: only really broken to Outpost Camp.
3) I advice to take ice axe & crampons if you plan to do the switch backs on the main trail.

I day hiked Wotans Throne on Sunday, Feb 17, 2008. Started hiking just a bit beyond from the winter road closure (at ~ 6,800' of elevation) at 7:00am. I was dragging ass --- took me an hour to reach the regular Whitney Portal trailhead. Then, from Outpost Camp onward, I just had to break trail. I went up the drainage next to Pinnacle Ridge from Mirror Lake. Finally ascended the NW ridge of Wotans Throne and was on the summit by ~ 1:30pm. I didn't see any tent or anyone at Trail Camp. Back at the car by 5:30pm.

Pics

--Miguel

Hey Miguel

So much snow! Same up here (NW). The road to St. Helens is closed 6 miles from the trail head (Climbers Bivouac).

Looks like a great day on Wotans Throne!

MC

Thanks for the report and the pictures. I’m wondering if that route is feasible without the snow cover.