Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Main Whitney Trail closed, Sept 4-7 and 10-13 !!!

According to Recreation.gov, Whitney main trail will be closed during mid week(open on labor day and weekends only), first 2 weeks of September. Anybody have detail on this?

It's most likely maintenance. The last major work done to the trail was in the 1999/2000 period.

I can't think of any other reason to close it other and blasting of some sort.

I am glad you started this thread. I was about to post a notice myself.

The MMWT (Main Mt Whitney Trail) is closed Tuesday-Friday, Sept 4-7, and Monday-Thursday, Sept 10-13. The Labor Day holiday is Monday, Sept 3.  Interestingly, I see that the Trail Crest exit permits do not show a closure for those dates.

Word is that they are making some major repairs to the switchbacks, and don't want to stop for hikers passing through. I have also been told that there may be some temporary periods on other days where hikers will be asked to wait before passing through areas on the switchbacks.

These closure days may be quite a surprise for people who just walk in to the Visitor Center and hope for a walk-in permit on those days.

Other than on Recreation.gov, I can't find any info on the Inyo web site. If anyone has more info, please do post here.

Steve,

Yep... I was hoping to get a walk-in permit after labor day for my 2nd summit, I'm very disappointed, but this will give me opportunity to try for Mt. Langley.

More info...

There will be some blasting. Extensive heavy work is planned on the switchbacks and near the cables area.

It will be a bit like road work delays... Rangers with radios will act as flagmen, holding back all hikers at a safe area until they get the all clear message, then sending people through the work area in a group. The small number of hikers coming out via Trail Crest should expect delays, but will be allowed through when safe.

SO the TH will not be closed: just that section intermittently?

> SO the TH will not be closed: just that section intermittently?

Inyo is NOT issuing any permits to enter the Whitneyzone from Whitney Portal on those days. So people could legally day hike up to Lone Pine Lake, but that is all, since a permit is not required to go that far.

Unfortunately, this will prevent legal day hike access to the North Fork Lone Pine Creek (The Mountaineers Route), even though hikers could summit and return on that route without ever encountering the Main Trail.

...and for people who are coming off the JMT between Sept. 4-7 after a 3-week southbound thru-hike!

Looks like I'll be exiting via the MR, or else postponing my exit until the morning of Sept. 8, which will cut into my post-hike buffer. But then, what are buffers for if not to use now and then?

CaT

Here is the latest up-to-date info in the Main Trail closure next week and the following (Tuesday-Friday, Sept 4-7, and Monday-Thursday, Sept 10-13):


for Permits Staff...

• Do not issue Mt Whitney overnight or Day Use Mt Whitney Zone permits with entry dates during the closure dates. This includes Day use of the North Fork of Lone Pine.
• OK to issue Mt Whitney overnight permits that begin before the closure. This includes exit dates during the closure.
• OK to issue overnight permits for the North Fork of Lone Pine.
• OK to issue overnight permits with Trail Crest Exit during the closure.
• Visitors with permits starting in the parks will be allowed to exit via Trail Crest.
• Do not recommend the Mountaineers Route as an alternate route to Mt. Whitney. Visitors who ask about the MR should be told that "the Mountaineers Route is not recommended as an alternative to the Mt. Whitney Trail. It is a class 3 climbing route, not a trail."
• The National Park Service is posting notices at Rock Creek, Crabtree, Tyndall, Charlotte and Rae Lakes Ranger Stations.

Hiker Information
The following information should be given to all visitors to the Mt Whitney area during the dates September 4-7 and September 10-13:

• Delays of up to 3 hours should be expected between approximately 8am to 5pm on the section of trail between Trail Crest and Trail Camp.
• Hikers should bring enough warm clothing and water to stay comfortable while waiting to pass through the work area.
• Hikers are advised to be especially careful when traveling through the work area, since the trail may be in major disrepair as structures are replaced.
• STAY ON THE TRAIL! It is not acceptable for hikers to attempt to bypass the trail by any cross country routes in this area. Falling rock could travel great distances and potentially crush hikers.
• Hikers must follow the direction of the staff on site. When given permission to descend, move all the way through the work area.
• To avoid long delays, pass the work area near Trail Crest before 7 a.m. or after 5 pm. Hikers descending late in the day may need to either hike out partially in the dark, or spend a night along the Mt Whitney trail. Camping is allowed at Trail Camp and below.

I just finished the JMT yesterday, Sept 7. There were all kinds of rumors among hikers about the closure during the two weeks I was on the trail. After I summited Whitney I went to Trail Crest and there was a ranger holding everyone. They let people through at 8:30 am, 11:30 am, and 3:30 pm. The ranger said they were not blasting, just pry bar and hand work. I saw 3 - 4 crews working the switchbacks when I hiked through, thanking them all for their hard work.

They were not issuing any permits from Whitney Portal for this period. After hearing this, I let the small group at Trail Crest go ahead when they let us through, and I had a unique hike down the canyon by myself, without a soul behind me, and no one hiking up the trail.

I'd be curious to see what the improvements to the trail look like after they are done. I suppose next year I'll see it when I walk up that way.

I'll get a picture or two up in time. The top switchback heading to Trail Crest is improved: Quite a bit wider especially. Maybe it won't seem as treacherous in spring while there is still snow covering it.

They still have this week to do more work.

A small crew was heading up Saturday when I was coming down. The crew leader I talked to said it was better to keep working the entire 11 days rather than exit only for Saturday and Sunday.