Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Trail crest or summit. where to camp ?

Trail crest or Summit, where would you camp this time of year? I am heading out middle of next week and wanted to get some feedback on what to expect while camping either at trail crest or at the summit. I want to experience the stars/milky way and such and want to either camp at trail crest/summit.

other than lugging gear all the way up, anything else i should be concerned about?

thanks in advance

If camping on the summit - you'll have to bring water up with you, for drinking and any cooking you might need to do at the summit. The switchbacks (if the spring is flowing) is the last place to get water.

Also - you need to plan/be aware of potential storms/thunder/lightning.

Trail Crest is probably the most windy spot on the whole mountain. Something you might want to keep in mind, in addition to the previously mentioned lack of water. Also..there's precious little real estate to claim as a campsite up there!

i wouldn't camp at either...

camp at trail camp with everyone else, you'll sleep better at lower altitude. the only place to camp at trail crest is on the trail which is not advised. and both trail crest and the summit would be miserable, windy, cold, possible lightening, and a myriad of other reasons...both are doable, i just don't know why you would ever want to.

you could go over Trail Crest, down to the JMT junction where in this picture you see people standing around where packs are stashed. Look closely - between the ascending summit trail on the left are some use trails leading to a few exposed, sparse campsites (take water) closer to the descending JMT on the right. Not shown are the even more spartan sites in the windows.

Those spots on the JMT at least have a little windbreak built up. But be aware that anywhere from TC to summit will likely have a lot of wind and zero water.

if you enjoy a night of listening to your tent shake like someone is yanking it back and forth then have at it, the snow field near the summit has some water you can melt and filter.
camping just below trail crest or near the top or even in the shed is a totall bummer.
go with the trail camp idea