Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Is hiking White Mountain a good idea?

With 3 days and 4 nights to acclimatize for a July 25th 3 day summit attempt on Whitney...is summiting white mountain a good idea on maybe the 2nd acclimatization day or is it too strenuous?

Given my multi-day attempt on Whitney, it seems like a good idea to me to experience some real altitude before but maybe 14,200 is too much real altitude with only one day prior to acclimatize at all.

jl, it is an excellent acclimatization hike. Not too strenuous. 7 miles, the first 6 are pretty gentle. Last one is a big climb, but even it is not that bad.

Since you are taking a few days on Whitney, you could even do White the day before you start your Whitney adventure. (I wouldn't say that for someone attempting a Whitney day hike.)

I prefer the mountain bike approach, but it's good stuff. 7 miles each way from the gate, no water on the way. You start way up high (I usually get to the gate late at night, sleep in the truck or next to it if not too windy) and then hit the road on the bike for as far as I can take it. The final approach to the mountain is easier on foot, but when you come down and have your bike for the way back, you'll be happy you brought it.

I did the Mtn Bike method on White Mountain twice. First time, I actually rode circles on the roof of the summit hut.

Second time, dropped the bikes and walked the last mile.

It is really a rough path -- too many fist-sized rocks on the road to ride much faster than a walking pace. One bike got a flat on the way back (sharp rock to the sidewall) so it had to be walked back. I rode at the same pace as my buddy walking.

What I'd really like to do is ride down the Silver Canyon Mine road. Was planning on that after the second ride, but was too tired after the climb.

yeah, Silver Canyon is a great trip. It was fun in a 4x4, 19 years ago. At least for a flatlander like me it was quite the road back then (and I've been over Kaiser Pass and some gnarly mountain dirt roads in the Alps before)

http://didnt.doit.wisc.edu/offroad/travels/SilverCanyon/index.html

jla, White Mountain is a walk in the park compared to Whitney, and a lot of mountains much lower in elevation IMO. It's only difficulty (from the dirt road) is the altitude.

I'm an average guy in average health, and found the hike to be relatively easy. The elevation gains are very gradual except the last mile.

I'm reading your post in two different ways:
1) You have three days to acclimate AND summit Whitney. Acclimate near White Mountain, summit White Mountain, summit Whitney. If this is the case, yes, I think White Mountain is too much.
2) You have three days to acclimate, and three more to summit Whitney. If this is the case, you'll be more than fine.

Having been told by Steve C, thanks!, I now plan on hiking White Mt. I have almost 3 full days to acclimate prior to Whitney so day 2 I'll go to White Mt. and day 3 if needed. I'll be at Trail Camp for a few days so not worried about burn-out hiking White Mt. I am concerned tho about driving my rental car to White Mt trailhead.

Just resign yourself to driving moderately along the road. Have always found it well-graded, so there are no clearance problems. Resist the temptation to drive faster just because some yokel goes pounding by you - those rocks are sharp. And, not all it is rough. You'll be fine, just drive in moderation. It's not a race.

This is correct. Learned my lesson the first time...taking no chances this time.

Thanks for the advice everyone...looks like I may bag 2 fourteeners on the trip

Grand View camp ground is a nice place to base for White Mt. Its about half way up the paved road. If I remember right there is no water there, so tank up in town. On the road out to White Mt there is a great swimming hole on north side, Owens River, where the road crosses the river. Great place to cool off and get the dust off.

A nice place to hike around is the Bristlecone Pine forest your first day. Start your acclimatize program there.

AreteJoe wrote:
> On the road out to White Mt there is a great swimming hole on north side, Owens River, where the road crosses the river. Great place to cool off and get the dust off.

Just so folks know... that spot is on the Owens Valley floor, just after you turn off the 395. Good swimming hole, but far from the Grand View campground and White Mountain.

Good advice regarding Grand View campground, because it is better to sleep at high-altitude than merely rely on going high on day hikes and then return to lower altitude at night.