I just got back from a day hike - conditions are getting very good. I went till just short of Trail Crest. Here are answers to the top questions these days- 1. Take the old Whitney trail to avoid the water crossing at the north fork of Lone Pine creek. If you don't know how to get to it - take a look - [img]https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/lSJBIPSLCBOVwZl7Gdl37JdGfwVAS7VFSW5NBjXiOur[/img]
2. The logs are back - so now the only place where you have to cross water is the meadow area between Lone Pine lake and Mirror Lake. Note - I did not carry water shoes for what must be 20m of water... I just took my shoes and socks off. Yes the water is ice cold, but is it worth carrying an extra pair of shoes just for that? You decide. On my way back, when I had more time to study the water stream, I made a run for it by stepping on some stones that prevented my shoes from sinking too deep... - if your boots are water proof like mine are, only the top of your socks will get wet - my toes never got wet... next time I won't bother taking my shoes off either Here's a map of where the water crossing is in case you love to plan: [img]https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/ct0049GICAYsr9nZBKeFk9mZqhKnzUJklRTIM3Z8tjr[/img]
3. One note on temperature - its very pleasant. I started at 6am, and it was 66F. It never got cooler than that... atleast not till Trail Crest. It does get quite warm but never got hot.
4. Some recent posts said the snow starts right after Mirror Lake. These things are changing daily... be sure to get the latest. As of today afternoon, you can hike all the way till Trail Camp without getting into snow with ONE small exception. There is one very small section of about 50m where you have to cross horizontally across a pretty steep snow field. Its about as inclined as the chute is. I put on crampons and used my ice axe there but it was a bit of a time sink as you have to put them on and then take them off 5 min later. But worth it - as the snow field is pretty steep. One more point - there is an alternative snow field based climb up past Mirror Lake to Trail Camp. Note this is NOT the trail, but people just hiking on snow as its a more direct route. Its essentially snow on top of Lone Pine creek. Personally i find it easier hiking on "land" vs. snow, but lots of people are taking that (atleast today)... I just took the trail. If you want to see what the snow trail looks like- Looking up [img]https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/u0PUn0fJaXXedGoW2XAfewET5Kqj6Prpcu0TCHeqYlg[/img]
5. Finally the question that's probably being asked the most- chute or switchbacks. I had gone up thinking switchbacks, but i had trouble locating them. The chute if of course very visible. So for me it was chute. I think you should definitely plan on having an ice axe and crampons. Yes there are some amazing people out there that are doing it without, but its not a risk worth taking if you have any doubt of your snow abilities. You really have no place to go if you get stuck and panic... crampons will make your feet glue to the snow. Here are some pictures looking up from Trail Camp. [img]https://www.amazon.com/photos/share/ahTyV0olTUWV2E28MVyZId2N595pXmTZP1xJb128Z4L[/img]
One random update - I did meet a park ranger on the trail and was asked to show my permit - so they do check!
If I had to guess - it will take another 10-15 days for the snow to completely clear from the trail all the way to the top - this is unfortunate, as, while you can get pretty far, it is still advisable to have an ice axe and crampons for the diminishing time you will need them - the time they are needed is going down each day, but for the areas when you need them, you need them... if you're worried about weight, then my suggestion is keep the ice axe and crampons, lose the extra water shoes, and take a bit less water with the plan of filling up along the way as there is water everywhere, and think about how cold or hot you get on hikes - and take only the layers you need.
Here's a map of where the water crossing is in case you love to plan:
