Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Camping at Consultation Lake

I am thinking about spending a night at Consultation Lake. I've got a question for the knowledgeable: Where are the sites in relationship to the trail and the lake? Then also, to you what makes it a good place to overnight? Thanks.

Most folks seem to camp right next to the lake but I think the best spots are in the ledges under the trail. Why? Because they are quiet, the views are gorgeous, and most people walk right past them. Did I just blow it? Oops.

Ditto what QITNL said. Stayed there two weeks ago and was amazed at the number of obvious tent sites - all unused except for mine and my partner's. They're all on the smaller side, but a 2-person seems to fit fine. Once you spot the lake to your left as you're ascending towards Trail Camp, just walk off-trail and look down - you'll see several easily-negotiated ledges beginning about 20 feet below, each with several flat dirt areas suitable for tents. And yes, you can stake - the dirt is deep, at least on the higher ledges. Lots of extra stakes just lying around too.

The area has only two slight cons: water is a little harder to come by unless you camp on the lower-most ledge next to the lake. There was still a large snow field along the trail just above us when we were there, so we were able to access a steady stream of snowmelt. The other con is that you still have about 300 feet of elevation in the morning to get you to Trail Camp, which is just a few hundred yards up the trail.

The pros are numerous: much quieter and far less crowded than Trail Camp, serene and peaceful, no trail running through your tent sites (so no headlamps and chatter), fewer (if any) marmots (we left our tents up and zipped for summit day and came back to nary a sign of curiousity). We also had virtually no wind to deal with.

Judge for yourself:



The perspective in the photo is misleading - there are several ledges below ours leading to the lake, each with multiple tent sites. For another perspective, the trail is about ten feet above where I stood for this photo, and maybe 20 yards distance. Very close.

I was that partner with Bulldog. Incredible sites. The lake is beautiful and you feel like the wealthiest person in the world with that view. Just get your water on the stream entering TC in the morning before you go for the summit. Before you get to Consultation lake, get enough at Trailside Meadow for the night. On the way up to the summit, I'm sure there is still lots of running water everywhere, including a river of water on the trail for a couple of dozen switchbacks.

We were absolutely alone at CL. No one at all could see us, though we were not far off the trail. We could barely hear anyone because of the ledges.

Bulldog will love this one. If you look in the shallows of the lake in the evening.....you can see trout with about half their bodies out of the water chasing smaller trout or other small creatures. Don't pass up CL.

I'm not much of an angler but, as Joe the Fisherman reminds me, the jumping fish will keep you entertained till dark. Overnighting at CL has got to be one of the best kept secrets along the MMWT and, in the hopes of ensuring it's continuing tranquility for my next trip up there, I will now shut up and hope everyone forgets what I've said . . .

Bulldog, those ledges look awsome, that's definitely what I'll do, I'm going up Monday. Should I not take the trail down to the lake,and keep going toward Trail Camp until I see the ledges? It's my first time up and I'm not familiar with anything, sorry. Do you have it highlighted on a topo?
Thanks.

Actually Victor we continued on the MMWT trail till we saw the lake directly to our left. Made a beeline for it, looked down and saw that shelf. "Looks good to me!", I said to Joe. Just a short walk down the hill to the ledge. I never noticed an access trail, but I'm sure there is one that leads down to the lake. We preferred to stay up higher, so we never ventured down to the lakeshore to explore - something I regret now.

Trust me - if you're looking for the lake on your left as you climb out of Trailside Meadow towards Trail Camp, you can't miss it. Sorry, no topo, but I believe Bob R posted a map not long ago of good camping sites at both CL and TC.

Good luck - and enjoy!

Ok Bulldog, I won't worry about looking for trail to the lake, and just wait until I see the lake on the left, and look for the ledges below - it can't be that hard to spot. I'm looking at my topo and the trail comes in at about 11,320' and veers to the left and down to the lake, not that steeply. If you continue on about 4 or 5 quick switchbacks, and cross Lone Pine Creek one more time, it gets steeper on the lake side, the lake is directly to the left as you say, and I'm guessing that's where the ledges are. Plus, I can look for the view from your photo. Thanks for the great photo and info.

Victor, you will not be disappointed. Have a great time and grab that summit!

I looked for the thread in which Bob Rockwell posted his campsites map along the MMWT, but couldn't locate it. I discovered, however, that I had downloaded the map and had it on file. It's my favorite annotated map of the trail, along with Wayne Pyle's superb detail of the 97 switchbacks (taken from GPS coordinates - the guy's a cartographic whiz kid when he's not playing tag with rattlesnakes). Here it is, with full apologies and all credit to Bob:



As I recall, the red Xs are Bob's suggested campsites along the trail outside of the assumed and obvious areas of Outpost and Trail Camps, and Lone Pine Lake. The cluster of Xs to the north of Consultation Lake, but pretty much right along the trail, I believe would be the area we camped.

Next time up there I plan to look for those two sites he has marked along the switchbacks. The one not far from Trail Crest could be interesting, but water might be a small problem in the summer. I suspect the one near the JMT junction could be a bit noisy too.

Wow, you rock Bulldog! Thanks alot. That first "x" on the Consultation side just below the trail is right where I put a way point earlier today, so I'm sure I'll find it with no problem. It looks like a perfect setting and I know I won't be disappointed in the least.
Thanks again to everyone for being so forthcoming with advice and information.

Bulldog34 Please see the thread "Mt. Muir Best Route?" for my story.

I had an incredible time, and spent 2 nights at Consultation Lake. Consultation Lake was everything you said it was, and more!

I've got great photos of my 4 day trip, but am just going through them now and will post the link tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks again for the info, it couldn't have been better.

Victor, glad you enjoyed it man! CL is one hard place to beat as a campsite. I'll go read your TR now, and eagerly await your photo link.

Should I bring a bear canister if I spend a night at the Consultation Lake? I can keep my supply inside the tent during night so marmots are of no concern. Then, during the day I hike to Whitney and take the rest of my food with me.

yep, bring a can