Do you think snow shoes are necessary in addition to crampons/ax from Guitar Lake?
We have a whitney main trail permit reserved to exit through Whitney Portal on June 1st.
What permits are required to use Horseshoe Meadow to the Whitney Zone? Is it a PCT permit?
Are you saying there are plenty of unused permits for Memorial Day weekend?
TommyB: I just don't think snowshoes are necessary by the end of May. Years ago I'd do a Memorial Day weekend backpack every year, and often it was over snow. We never took snowshoes, and did not posthole much at all. Snow consolidates as it melts for the summer, so it usually supports people walking over the top.
Your Cottonwood Pass itinerary will work fine. Plan on two days to Guitar Lake. You can then climb Whitney and exit on the third (unless you guys pack too heavy and travel slow).
Permits: You will pick up the Cottonwood Pass entry permit and Trail Crest Exit permit. That is all you need.
As for the main trail permits: Check out the Unused Whitney Permits numbers for all the past years. There has not been a Memorial weekend yet where all walk-in permits were taken.
