Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Late May Summit via John Muir Trail

Hi there,

This may be a redundant question but I want to double check to be safe. I am planning on traversing the High Sierra Trail in late May, and I will be finishing the trip by summiting Whitney via the John Muir Trail (west to east).

I will be planning on using microspikes, ice axe, gaiters, and trekking poles and climbing from Guitar Lake up the switchbacks to the trail crest and then the summit. I will be returning by either glissading the chute (if it has not gotten icy), or descending the switchbacks on the main Mt. Whitney Trail, depending on the snowmelt.

However, I am worried that the switchbacks on the way up may be too covered in snow to proceed, like they have been reported to be on the main Mt. Whitney Trail (east to west).

Does anyone have any thoughts/ideas?

Thanks,
Connor