Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums Thread Like Summary - 2025

Over due hiker in the Whitney area if you have any information please contact Inyo County Sheriff's Off 760 878 0383 .
Check the Inyo County Sheriff's Office webpage for photo name and details and updates.

Unfortunately still closed for the remodel

Watch for a report from the guys that posted in the Winter Access Forum...they're up the NF now...

I once dislocated a finger while prepping for the Final 400' on the MR...Speedy was nice enough to hike down the Main Trail with me...and provided some pain killers...that was a $900 visit to the RC ER the next day...they gave me a Local and the Doc spent about 15 seconds pulling the finger out and putting it back in place...OUCH!!! (to the OOP expense - I think I cheated on my taxes that year and called it a Donation...)


Hiking Up The Old Trail

Doug doesn't appreciate it when I make comments about driving past the Road Closed sign...so now when I do, I put in the warning...

I'm talking about the Road Closed sign down at the Turnout...there's also a gate there, but it's rarely locked...mostly in the Spring when Inyo and the FS are clearing the road (again, this is an opinion...that's the only time I've seen it locked).

Read the bottom of this document for the official Inyo County stance on signage...

I've seen Inyo Deputies/CHP twice on WP Rd (during the closure)...I got the fine from Inyo...probably more than 15 years ago...(I think 5-6 vehicles got tagged that day)...it didn't stop me...

I haven't camped up there is years...but you used to be able to connect (regular phone) at the "edge" of the LBSL area and UBSL...I've had phone calls and texts from both locations and even posted from UBSL...

I believe I called your car a Lexus last year...someone who grew up in the snow would fall under what I call "skilled driver."

Pappy on the ava thing Bob Rockwell some years ago posted his thoughts on the most common areas that slide , I would add a few lower down and on the road just above the first switchback , also the NRT trail as it comes into the canyon and all the way to the Portal , Always the question is it rock fall or avalanche ? Spring conditions we have rockfall that starts small slides . Correct on loading/drifting the backside can be dry as all the snow has blown down and drifts in the lower canyons . I recall one trip up the mountaineers route I had very little snow and wasn't a big event a group from China Lake SAR was in waist deep snow at trailcrest!

Here's one example of what they're talking about...from 2005...Inyo had already started plowing it away...



I have plenty of others, but don't have the time to search for them now...(planning the Fall Nepal Trip...)

No snow until Whitney Portal. Yes it is fairly easy to get up until the Iceberg Lake. There are solid boot tracks.

Road opened today to lower gate you don't need to use detour

Hi bobby hill,

Here are a few thoughts:

(1) Many of the truly motivated members of the group that would like to join you for a day hike on June 27 will likely be able to secure a permit during the next two months.

(2) You note, "some company would give me some peace of mind undoubtedly." Maybe. Be careful who you team up with. Is the group really going to work together as a team?

(3) Assuming the conditions on the mountain are OK, you will always be encountering other folks on the trail the entire day (as well as a few rangers, possibly).

(4) Whether in a group or not, do your homework: Train, acclimatize, do a thorough study of the Trail and the Mountain.

(5) Just before you start, do not hesitate to drop in at the Whitney Portal Store at the Trailhead and ask questions. Also, in the parking lot talk to hikers coming off the Mountain.

Do not hesitate to post a conditions update here after your outing. Others can learn from your observations/experience.

Best,

Jim

John,

Thanks for this very useful conditions update!

Your observation of the apparent poor preparation of many hikers seems to be a frequent observation. Unfortunately, the consequences can be severe. A year ago this week, a young lady from my small Sacramento Valley city and her boyfriend died on the mountain. And these were not the only fatalities on Mt Whitney last year.

Hope you have a great summer.

Jim

Here are some photos of the conditions on Whitney (06.10.2025):


Looking up The Cables.



Looking down The Cables.



The trail above the cables is clear.



The Chute (really a Bowl).



The snow traverse to Trail Crest.



A view of The Switchbacks from the West Side Trail.



Zoon in to see the 2 alternate paths up the Summit Snowfield.

There were about 3, or 4, sections like photo 5...
I call them boot buckets...because of the soft snow the boot track is fairly deep...if the snow doesn't collapse out from under you (a strong possiblity in the afternoon heat) it's relatively easy to handle...
Like I said in the earlier post, The Cables and that traverse as you approach Trail Crest are not for unskilled people right now...I am worried that we're going to hear about an accident if people don't stay clear of these areas right now...

It was dang hot on the east side...I'd call the freeze level 12k'+ now (maybe even 13k), so melting 24/7...