Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Road to Cottonwood Lakes

I searched the blogs but couldn't find any info. "Statistically" when is the road usually snow free up to the cottonwoood lakes trailhead? Thanks.

Memorial weekend

I am looking to try Mt Langley weekend of April 19th and was trying to figure out how much extra millage the snow covered road is going to add.

Does anyone know how high up the snow currently is? Is there access controls on this road or are you allowed to drive up as far as you are able?

Try:
http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum/...=true#Post44133

Dale B. Dalrymple
http://dbdimages.com

Thanks for the link Dale. I found a map on the Inyo National Forest web page showing the gate about 10.5 miles from the TH. The Forest service is reporting snow @ 7,000'. current conditions

OK so the gate is locked and it's 13 miles to Horseshoe Meadows. My partner said that was more road hiking than he was up for and I agreed. He suggested Tuttle Creek, so we gave it a try. What the heck it's only about 4.5 miles to the top!

Pictures here:

Enjoyed your pics. Congrats on your summit.

I was planning a spring ski descent of NE couloir on 4/26 but judging by your pics the approach really can't be skinned up. What were the snow conditions like? You didn't appear to be using snowshoes. Any Postholing? Crampons/axe necessary?

mtnsos thanks

There wasn't any consistent snow until about 9,000 ft. From there the snow was hard pack. There is snow lower on the south side of the canyon, but only above the water fall. No postholing even late afternoon. The snow in the coulior was a mix between just soft enough for kicking steps to hard pack that left no boot track. I would think it will be icing up more and more.