Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2012 (Out-of-Date)

The walk-in camp sites just below the main trail head parking area (above the overflow parking) are always accessible.

I would assume things being closed mean there is no garbage collection, so you should plan on hauling out your own. The water system may be shut down as well, so bringing in your own water, or using the stream might be necessary, too.

By the way, Sunday, 11/4 is the last day of business for Doug at the Portal store for this year.

Assuming no significant snow in the next week or so, is there any issue driving up to the portal?

Hoping to be in the area Nov 10-12.

Are you hiking the main Trail the 10-12? I'm thinking of doing the same (I was going to go today but I got sick). Hopefully the weather holds up

sbhiker123, Gon2srf here. I will be up there the 9th-12th weather permitting. The extended forecast is calling for potential snow that weekend so we'll see how it all works out. Sleeping in the car or at the campground on Friday night then depart via the Main Trail Saturday for High Camp. Depart high camp at dawn or a bit earlier for the summit. PM me if you want to discuss meeting up.

Scott

Hi Scott,

I am on track to Whitney a couple of days before you. Will try to advise you of trail conditions.

BamaFireman Jesse

It looks as if you may have timed it perfectly. Look forward to your report.


"Update: If the potential patten change (for a significant, cold trough off the West Coast) occurs late next week and into the weekend, things look to really cool down (maybe snow). More like November weather. So stay tuned..."

I brought microspikes, didn't need them up to LPL. The trail is clear.

I ran into a couple of people who made the summit without microspikes. Reports that the trail is easily navigable up to the switchbacks with trail runners, but I didn't see that, so it is hearsay.

If it doesn't snow in the next week, I wouldn't expect the trail to be much different than it was this weekend.

LPL unfrozen. Water at the log crossing is starting to ice over. Some remnants of snow at LPL, but not much.

weather is looking questionable thursday into friday (we'll see how much snow falls) anyone know what the accumulation will be at what elev.?

Sunday for summit will be very cold, but if winds calm down would seem doable. I still don't have microspikes.

Correction on dates: I meant to say I will be up there this Fri-Sunday the 9th-11th

Beautiful weather in So Cal today. I hiked Ontario and Buckhorn Peaks in the San Gabriel mountains and it was gorgeous. I am still planning to come up Friday, Saturday, Sunday. If not for anything but to try out the new Microspikes and spend the night at the portal parking lot Friday night and Trail Camp Sat. or I'll just stay at the Whitney Hostel if it gets ugly and day hike it. I just want to feel out the whole thing so I can stop feeling like such a newb.

Now for a vehicle question. I have two vehicles available to me. 1) 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Lifted, armored, winch, set up for off road, snow, mud but gets about 13mpg and is horrible to sleep in. 2) 2002 BMW 323Ci. That's the station wagon model. Low profile tires, fast, quiet awesome to sleep in and about 23 mph. No chains at the moment and would need low profile model if I bought them.

Advice for the coming weekend?

Hi Scott,

If you want to attempt the summit this weekend, then I am willing to delay my hike in order to team up with you. I like the cold and have the gear. I won't go in fresh snow without a partner to help break a trail, though. We could share the pack loads and add redundancy for safety.

The weather looks bad for this weekend with high winds, light snow, and very cold temps but... the weather forecast does not preclude a summit hike for this weekend. The high winds die down for a Saturday hike to the high camp and the coldest temps moderate near the summit on Sunday... maybe. Of course, the weather may not follow the forecast.

Friday: Teens at the Portal campground.
Sat : Single digits at the high camp at 12,000 ft.
Sun : Rising temps at the summit.


Let me know if you are interested. Otherwise, I will try to summit and get down before the worst weather comes in.

BamaFireman Jesse

Hey everyone!

Looking for some beta on the Mountaineer's Route this season.

Are the trail conditions on the MR in full winter mode?

Ive done the MR a couple of times in the last couple years looking to head back up at the end of the month.

Any info would be awesome!

PM Sent.

Let me know what the two of your plans are-I'm in limbo whether to drive up due to the weather/ice. If microspikes are required I can't get my hands on em.

There are microspikes in the hiking/climbing store right near the road that leads up Whitney Portal in Lone Pine. I am sure folks here can tell you the name of the store. I saw the Katoohlas there last month and the price was the normal $50 range.

I think this is the store in Lone Pine that Chicagowright refers to:

Elevation Sierra Adventure Essentials Inc.

150 S. Main St.
(Corner of Hwy 395 & Whitney Portal)
Lone Pine, CA

Phone
760-876-4560

http://www.sierraelevation.com/


Also, I keep a few carbide ice screws with me. These can be added to the bottoms of boots. (This assumes that the boot treads are thick enough for the screws).


BamaFireman

I am out for this weekend guys. The weather is not cooperating and I would just assume enjoy my first summit on Whitney. I have a San Jacinto trip planned the following weekend so I am going to try and talk my son and a friend into changing plans and come up the 16th-18th. Good luck BamaFireman, I hope you have a safe summit.

Thanks gon2srf.

I'll plan to summit on Thursday in the 50 knot winds, unless sbhiker or some other intrepid adventurer contacts me quickly with dreams of a Sunday summit.

Good luck in you later trip, too.

BamaFireman Jesse

Woo, that's gutsy! My ears wouldn't let me deal w/that wind! My friend and I will be next door on Mt. Williamson this Friday. Starting Friday late morning with a Sunday summit in mind. Chilly, yes. But shouldn't be overtly rough.
Most forecasts are saying the wind will drain most of the moisture from this weather system.

Hey guys. A friend and i are contemplating coming up if the roads are clear of ice/snow. I'd plan on coming up thurs night aiming for sat an sun climbing and open to a summit dayhike with alpine start. If roads are too dangerous coming from LA, we may opt for another locale before returning back east on mon. I am open to langley also.

nyker completed a main trail hike on Nov 11.

He used crampons and hiking poles, did not use his ice axe. He said many were hiking with microspikes. He carried all his water, and reported that most water spots are frozen, but it might be possible to chop through the ice to get some.

His trip report is here (Thank you, nyker!):

Trip report - Main Trail, Nov 11, 2012, dayhike.

And pictures: http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=13143