Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums Active Threads

You should be fine for July. The only way you'd need to concern yourself with ice/snow is if you see an unprecedented amount of storms hit the region almost daily throughout May (which isn't in the extended forecast as of right now). There's a little system that's going to add a few inches on May 4th but immediately followed by a warming trend.

I went up last year on July 4th, I don't recall… EXPAND ▼ stepping on a single piece of snow for the entire hike. Given that this year's accumulation is below last year, July should be excellent.

Attached is an image at the cables which was the closest we came to any snow.

COLLAPSE ▲

Appreciate the reply Jim. That's helpful feedback. Thank you.

Morning hope everyone is well. Looking forward to the upcoming season. Is the Witney road still going to open on time with all the new snow? What about to Horseshoe meadow? We have a Langley trip planned May 26-27 camping at high lake or Long Lake if we can make it. Also have a day hike on Witney Planed for May 29th. I don't think it would be possible or advisable to do Horseshoe Meadow to Witney portal? Any thoughts would be super welcomed. Thanks in advance for any info. Have a great day.

Hi everyone, first time posting here. I was wondering if anyone has updated conditions regarding snow in the Whitney Zone? I am hopping to rock climb Fishhook Arête this coming weekend. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Hi all,
Do any of you know if the Lone Pine lake is still frozen? Is the trail from the portal to the lake still with snow? We are camping this coming weekend at Long Pine Campground and I was wondering, how are the conditions to get to the lake. Thank you in advance.

Hello everyone,
Looking for 3 permits around August 12th, 2025. I know its still early and we are watching for cancellations but Recreation.gov doesn't show anything yet.
Thank you,
-Nesse

Hello tfriedman, I would be interested in 3 permits in August.

What kind of hiking experience do you have?

Hi, we secured permits in the unclaimed lottery today for October 25th. Wondering if this time of year is drastically different than early May time frame (so right around now).

We went for the summit last May 5th and the conditions were bluebird day, cold weather, snow for 80% of the hike, crampons, and cold weather gear. Wondering if the weather is similar in late October?

We had issues like… EXPAND ▼ frozen camelback tubes and filters but were able to get through that and ultimately ran into one person with altitude sickness at the base of the Switchbacks/the chute.

Wondering if we are in for a similar experience?

Thank you to anyone who has details on this! COLLAPSE ▲

Doug is correct that the gate may be open for work then closed after they finish working for the day.

Last week, there were two vehicles parked on the big turnout at the top where the road heads into the canyon. The cars were parked there for a couple days. Each day I hiked, the gate was close.

Paul

Doug,

Love your list of entertaining tricks. However, I have learned they are unnecessary after a certain age, everything comes quite naturally, with the people passing you looking at you scornfully or enquiring how you are in a solicitous manner, depending on their nature.

Where was your hero hike?

Good advice from Shin, as usual. My default rule: if there can be snow on the trail, carry… EXPAND ▼ microspikes and trekking poles. You may not need them, but if you do, they can make the difference between a comfortable and successful hike, and having to turn back or proceed at considerable risk. COLLAPSE ▲

I second this. Get some experience.

Ideally a training course with someone who will teach you everything you need to know. Then prior to Whitney, dive in somewhere in the mountains and practice what you learn to lock those skills in.

Those who run into trouble are typically ones who are not prepared (altitude, skills, checking conditions, gear).

California Enters Next Phase of Wolf Conservation Plan as State's Gray Wolf Population Continues to Expand
CDFW Working to Conserve Species and Protect Ranchers

As California’s gray wolf population grows, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is advancing the state’s management of this species and further supporting communities where they are known to reside.

At the end of 2024,… EXPAND ▼ there were seven known wolf packs in the state and four additional areas of known wolf activity. Most of those packs are in northeastern California, although one is in the southern Sierra Nevada.

Five of the seven packs met CDFW’s definition of a “breeding pair” in 2024, meaning two adults and two or more pups surviving until the end of the year. Because CDFW has documented at least four breeding pairs for two consecutive years, California is now in “Phase 2” of wolf management, as specified by the state’s 2016 Conservation Plan for Gray Wolves in California.

The 2016 plan was an important milestone for CDFW and the state of California. Over a span of one and a half years and more than 40 meetings, CDFW convened and collaborated with multiple organizations, agencies, and local governments to develop the plan. This massive undertaking across diverse interests resulted in the first-ever conservation plan that still guides species management today. The plan includes the list of those invited to participate in its development

In Phase 2, as outlined in the conservation plan, CDFW plans to take the following actions:

Initiate a review to evaluate the status of gray wolves in the state. This will include an opportunity for tribal and public input, and independent peer review.

Evaluate legal pathways under the California Endangered Species Act and the Federal Endangered Species Act to potentially issue permits allowing for more aggressive forms of hazing in specific situations. Also known as “less-than-lethal harassment,” examples include the use of tools and techniques such as firearms discharging nonlethal ammunitions or the use of motorized equipment to follow or pursue a wolf to modify wolf activity or presence near livestock.
Additional actions planned by CDFW in the coming weeks and months include:

Release of an online tool to provide location information for GPS-collared wolves. This tool will greatly facilitate CDFW’s efforts, as guided by the Conservation Plan, to provide timely information regarding wolf activity in the vicinity of livestock production.

Release of CDFW’s first annual report detailing its wolf conservation and management activities and summarizing information on California’s wolves. This initial report will summarize information from 2015 – 2024.
CDFW is already taking action to monitor and track gray wolves, investigate livestock depredation and support reduced human-wildlife conflict with gray wolves. Those actions include:

Continuing to accept applications and issuing compensation payments to livestock producers who have had confirmed killed or injured livestock, or probable killed or injured livestock, by wolves through the Wolf Livestock Compensation Program. During development of this program, CDFW convened a stakeholder working group of interested parties with diverse perspectives, experience and expertise to gather information and provide input. In 2023, during early implementation of the program, CDFW conducted several technical assistance workshops with county agency partners to help producers understand the application process. From 2022 through early 2024, a pilot program compensated eligible producers for direct livestock loss, for the indirect impacts of wolf presence, and costs for nonlethal deterrence. Since late 2024, the program has paid producers for direct losses. To date, through both programs, CDFW has awarded or approved $3.1 million in compensation. The “three-prongs” approach makes this program the most comprehensive in the nation.
Continuing to monitor the status of individual wolf packs, investigate areas of known or suspected wolf activity to search for new packs, and GPS-collar wolves in those packs without collared wolves. In 2024, CDFW spent 203 staff days in the field attempting to capture and collar wolves. In the first part of 2025, CDFW has been able to collar and release 12 gray wolves in northern California. There are now more satellite-collared wolves in California than ever before, which is expected to improve understanding and management of the species in the state.
Continuing to reach out to and engage with the public: CDFW is in regular communication and coordination with livestock producers, county agriculture departments, private timberland managers, federal agencies, tribes and conservation organizations. Ongoing communication also occurs in counties with known wolves and new areas of wolf activity including county boards of supervisors, agricultural commissioners, farm services advisers, local cattlemen’s associations, and Farm Bureau boards. In 2024, CDFW participated in 34 community engagement events to inform the public about ongoing wolf conservation efforts in California.
Continuing research collaborations such as the California Wolf Project (CAWP) to address key scientific questions about California’s wolves, including their diet, habitat use, relationships with other wildlife and patterns of livestock conflict. In 2025, the CAWP released its 2024 annual report. The research helps augment monitoring for future management actions and helps the public and stakeholders understand the process of wolf recovery through an evidence-based approach.

Continuing habitat improvements for native prey species. CDFW will continue to partner with tribes and conservation organizations on habitat improvements and monitoring for wolf prey species, including deer, elk and pronghorn. Over the last 11 years, these efforts have funded over $15 million in monitoring and habitat improvements such as guzzler installations, conifer removal and meadow restoration in the northern region of the state alone.

Continuing to investigate livestock depredations. CDFW is actively engaged with livestock producers investigating loss of livestock due to suspected wolf depredation. In 2024, CDFW participated in or worked with federal and local authorities and livestock producers to conduct 79 investigations. Over 80% of all investigations were conducted on the day loss was reported.
CDFW’s Law Enforcement Division (LED) will continue to investigate and evaluate any reports of undesired or abnormal wolf behavior that may represent threats to public safety. Though these cases remain rare, both California state and federal law recognize the need to allow for human protection against animal attacks. Both provide the legal framework to allow individuals to take reasonable action to protect themselves or others from a direct and imminent threat from an animal. LED will work with partner agencies to appropriately and quickly respond to such incidents.
LED, alongside CDFW wildlife biologists, dedicates numerous staff hours and resources to supporting wolf conservation. Wildlife officers have jurisdiction to investigate the death of California wolves; they take these investigations seriously and pursue every lead to determine the cause of death and whether a crime has occurred. In the last five years, CDFW wildlife officers have conducted eight investigations into gray wolf deaths, as well as spent nearly 1,000 staff hours in the forensics lab processing 1,693 samples. COLLAPSE ▲