I have some questions for the collective wisdom of the Whitney Zone community. Thanks for your patience as this is a little long.
A friend and I have made the summit of Whitney via the main trail and had other hikes both on the Whitney Trail and elsewhere in the Sierras including Cloud's Rest, etc. So, we have some good experience in the area. However, we are doing something for the first time in July. We plan to do a multiple day backpack from Cottonwood Pass trail head culminating with a summit of Whitney and exit back to the portal via the main trail. Most of our arrangements are made, but we have a few questions that are harder to be sure about without input from folks with actual experience on that route. Would appreciate any advice/thoughts.
- If I look at the route on Google Maps (not a great idea, I'm sure) it shows the trail heading south from the trail head, catching the PCT eventually, and then meanders around to Cottonwood Pass. On Guthook, there seems to be a much more direct path E/NE to Cottonwood Pass. I'm sure the trail will be pretty obvious once we are there, but curious if we can count on Guthook's representation of that direct route to the pass.
- While creek crossings may not be as big of an issue this year than last, just curious if there are any crossings on this route that we need to be aware of or consider differently as part of our planning.
- Seems from our research, many folks on this route camp first night at Chicken Spring Lake. We are accustomed to hiking 10-17 miles without a lot of issues, so that seems a little early to stop on day one. At the same time, a natural destination like Rock Creek Ranger station area is 15 miles. Fifteen miles wouldn't normally concern me, but we live on the east coast with no altitude issues, so just curious if there are any good spots to camp the first night between Chicken Spring and Rock Creek Ranger Station in case we decide 15 miles at altitude is more than we want to tackle.
- The night before we summit, like most folks we intend to stay somewhere in the general vicinity of Guitar Lake. Any advice on preferred locations to camp? Seems some folks like to proceed past Guitar Lake a bit. Is that a good idea? Guthook shows camping there, but would hate to walk up there only to find that it is always occupied, no water, etc.
- Do you personally feel three liters is enough water to take from Guitar Lake area to get us to the summit and then back down the main trail far enough for water? I did fine with three liters from Trail Camp-Summit-Trail Camp before so I assume so, but open to differing opinions.
- Fire permits. My understanding is that unlike the MWMT, at least some areas in the back country do allow fires as long as you have a permit and there are no current prohibitions due to local conditions. What I am struggling with is the fact that the overarching rules seem to be pretty complex with variations based on which jurisdiction one happens to find themselves at a given time, etc. I guess not a big deal, but if there are areas along this route that allow the luxury of an evening campfire, I would at least like to know about it.
- Finally, we have plans to drop a car at Whitney Portal and a shuttle arranged to take us to the trail head on the first day. Do we need some sort of parking permit or anything to leave our car at the portal for the 3-4 days we will need to make the journey?
That's it for now. Also interested in any other advice you may have if you have particular experience with this itinerary.
