Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Changing Whitney Dates

Hello all!
We have a permit to leave Cottonwood Lakes mid July and exit the Portal 4 days later. We have done some training hikes in southern California and all though they have been doable it has been difficult for some because of the amount of snow still up there. I am thinking there will still be a lot of snow in the Sierras in mid July as well. We really want this to be enjoyable instead of a push with maybe an extra day.

My question is can I roll my permit over into September instead, since that is about the only time now available? What do you guys think the conditions will be like (weather), possibly colder but much less snow? I am sure there will be some still laying around?

What other options do we have? Thanks so much!

lesper4, I think you should stick with your current permit! Someone was up at Horseshoe Meadows last weekend, and they reported the camping area was already free of snow. You are hiking a full month from now, so you will see very little snow.

But if you do want to move the dates, you can walk in and pick up permits for Cottonwood Lakes the day before you hike. 40% of the trailhead quota is held back for walk-in people, and they become available at 11 a.m. the day before you hike.

Inyo National Forest doesn't give any preference to someone like you who has an earlier permit. And the 40% walk-in part applies to all trails except the Main Mt Whitney trail.

Thanks.
I wasn't planning on changing permits until I know what the conditions are like the week off, then make a decision. The 40% doesn't allow me to exit the portal does it? I am keeping an eye on the forums for trip reports and although the top west side of Whitney is drying out some what I wonder what everything else will do?

I just remember TM in June of last year was 5-10ft of snow at 10,000ft so with this snow pack I expect it to be about the same a month later?
Loren

The Trail Crest exit permits are also on that 40% walk-in availability setup too.

By TM, do you mean Tuolumne Meadows? That is farther north, and more of a west-side area, so they get lots more snow.

Yes TM. OK Thanks.
I will keep an ear to the ground and an eye to the sky!