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

Hello, I am considering going up the main trail this weekend and have questions for folks that have just been there.... Anyone know if the road to the Portal is open yet ? What's good place to camp on saturday night, is there a dry place at the base of the switch backs ? We are taking crampons and ice ax, but no snow shoes, yes no ?. Has anyone gone up on the switch backs recently ? is there too much snow ? better to ascend vertically now? What is the condition if the trail after the switch backs and to the summit ?
Any info is appreciated.

You'll find most of those answers at:
Trip Report 4/17 & 4/18

Trail camp has snow free camping spots at the base of the switchbacks. I didn't find a need for snowshoes a week ago. Trail is pretty clear above Trail Crest. Ice axe and crampons were a must for travel between Trail Camp and Trail Crest. We took the snow slope to climber's right of the switchbacks up and the switchbacks down. Road was closed a week ago, don't have any more current information on that.

-adam

The ranger at the visitors center said they hoped to get it "officially" open by this weekend. It was fairly warm at Big Pine, and that was supposed to be a cold weekend, so don't see why they wouldn't. People on this board are already going to the trailhead.