I drove up to the Schulman Grove a few days ago. The first gate was open, and a few patches of snow were easy to drive around. At the Schulman Center the road remains open, but there's a sign posted that there's deep snow ahead. Later, I spoke with a lady ranger at the USFS Ranger Station in Bishop who said she'd just been up, so a call to her would give you exact info. When the road is completely snow-free, it's a 6-7 mile hike from the gate below Barcroft to the summit of White Mtn, following an old road. White Mtn is located off CA168 (13 miles east of Big Pine) and then about an equal drive on White Mtn Rd.
Don't underestimate the length of time it takes to drive from Big Pine.
I doubt there's a phone at the Schulman Center, nor electricity either. It's rather far off the grid.
