Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Q's re; Shepherd Pass hike in early June

Hi, my first post! just a few questions if you'd indulge me.

Plan is to start at the Symmes Creek trailhead and walk up to Whitney summit in 5 daze, then out via Whitney Portal Trail (and car-shuttle back to 'point A'. We are starting the hike around the 8th to 13th of June. Also,I have extensive ice/snow/cold mountaineering experience.

1)- I'd like to know what is the lowest daily average temp we can expect (sleeping bag temp-rating is what I really need, and clothing recommendation)

2)- I will take my ice axe, if neccessary but HATE to take my crampons unless I REALLY have to. The plan is to wear my hiking boots but if I take my crampons I'll have to take my heavy Mtnr'g boots. Can I get by w/o the irons?

3)- How's the fishing in the area? What do you recommend, tackle-wise?

4)- What are the usual camping areas?... and can you just camp anywhere, or designated spots only?

5)- Do we need 'bear canisters' for our food?... or is there another alternative? Can you rent them? (we want to pack as LtWt as possible)

6)- What are the bugs like at that time of year?

7)- Do we need a permit to come OUT the Whitney Portal Trail?

*I've pre-ordered the 'Whitney-Trailhead to Summit' and waiting for this 2nd edition to be released, and sent to me.

Thanks very much to all who reply.

Urban Sherpa , Ontario, Canada

You need to specify that you are exiting via Trail Crest when you submit your application for an overnight permit. You do not need a separate permit for the Whitney Trail. See Wilderness Permit Options Notes 3 and 4 (at the bottom) for more information.

Have you reserved your permit?

So you're planning to go thru Shepherd Pass? Also, once across the crest are you planning on going down to the PCT and take the easy way to Trail Crest?

The reason I ask there's a gnarly way thru Wallace Lake -> Tulainyo Lake -> Whitney-Russell "Pass" which would require *much* more care...

I'd recommend a zero degree bag (that's in F not Celsius). Days can be hot, nites nippy. Good gore parka is essential. Any wet meadow'll have bugs so bring your 100% DEET, not so much of a worry higher up.

The top section of Shepherd is steep and sheltered from the sun so it could be virtually impassable in June without axe, poles and maybe even crampons (you're going up early for this elevation). It's been a fairly high sno year so that pushes back the sno-free date. The back side of Whitney on the way to Trail Crest is also steep so if there's sno you might be more comfortable on crampons. You'll probably do best by following what people post here or summitpost.org closer to your trip.

Going up Shepherd is arduous - most people shoot for Anvil Camp. If you can't quite make it Mahogany Flat has some spots surrounded by brush and nasty water access. Other than that you can camp anywhere as long as you abide by the park rulez. If you go up Shepherd you should go up Tyndall too - it's one of the California fourteeners... The lake right at the pass killed two primo water filters - dunno why - but they were useless afterwards - hadda by new filter cartridges so watch out...

For proper form you'll need bear cans - Lone Pine station rents them.

I've hiked that area in June before and had a ball but watch out for the river crossings, can be very dangerous in June.
1. Daily temps are very warm especially in snow where the sun is rewflected up; nightime I had a -5 c bag and was ok
2 We took ice axe but no crampons and cut steps occasionally
3 Fish jump out at you in june some seemed to be spawning
4 See permit rules
5Yes bear cans needed
6 Mossys were awful plenty of 100% deet, we found this to be the big drawback with this time of year.

June's a great time very fresh and beautiful with good daytime temp's but the mossys drive you crazy; good luck

"5)- Do we need 'bear canisters' for our food?... or is there another alternative? Can you rent them? (we want to pack as LtWt as possible)"

You have to have them. If you run into a ranger and don't have one, you will be required to turn around and walk out the way you came in....if you are lucky, you won't get a fine, also. they can be rented at the Whitney Portal Store, or at the Ranger Station.

That time of year, it is unusual for it to get below freezing much. A 15 or 20 degree bag, with knowledge of how to use them properly and extend their range, should be quite sufficient. I know experienced people who would use a 30.

Here is a link to the Upper Tyndall Creek snow survey site, that gives hourly temps. Seems like the low today is around 19oF
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/queryF?UTY

Looks like the snow is about 75in deep (water content about 25", and the density is about 30% right now, so about 3X the water content)

(from Original Poster)

Sorry for any confusion but I see that the route is actually called 'Shepherd Pass Trail'

I think the bear can is a good idea. I see that we can rent them at Lone Pine.
According to this [url=www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/wild/bear.shtml].[/url]
I don't officially need a bear can, correct? Does this mean there is a low occurence of bears in that area?

Thanks, so far, for all the replies. Any advice is welcomed.