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 Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
I use the inlet stream at the west end of the pond.
Dip and drink every time.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 279 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 279 Likes: 2 |
Steve is so right.....the stream that flows into the pond emerges from the rocks. It's a spring. You only drink the water before it reaches the pond.
When I hiked with BobR, we would always drink from there. Clean and bacteria free.
paul
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2 |
Do you know if the water is currently flowing into the pond at Trail Camp? We are hiking on September 3rd. and would like to get water there on the way up. If it is not, we will get it before reaching Trail Camp.
Thanks,
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
The pond has always had water running into and out of it, year round, every year. You can depend on it.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 23
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 23 |
I'm here to report that I was able to tank up on switchback 23 yesterday afternoon....
In the morning going up it was flowing but not enough to get water.
It's probably freezing up at times. It was a little chilly at trail camp in the morning....
Hit & miss with the smoke also. I had it bad going up, couldn't see across the Valley. Blew out about 1000 & felt great to breathe clean air....
One of the nicer days on the summit. Billowy clouds moving in/out, hardly any wind, on the side of warm....
& this morning all the smoke seemed to be north of LP.....
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2 |
Anyone know how the temperatures have been this week? We are hiking Thursday. Plan to be at Trail Camp between 5 am and 6 am and the summit about 11 am. I am guessing it will be about 32 at Trail Camp at this time and 50 or less on the summit.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
This from the Mt Whitney Weather page (link in the Feature Topics box above left): Cottonwood Lakes, elev. 10150' 7-day Temperatures: 37 F last night, high of 65 F. The NOAA Whitney summit link appears a bit high in view of the actual temps shown above: Lows 35-40, highs 50-60. There are more links on the weather page to check out.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,037 Likes: 6
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,037 Likes: 6 |
I'm here to report that I was able to tank up on switchback 23 yesterday afternoon.... On Aug 30 there was absolutely no sign of water anywhere on the switchbacks at 130 pm
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 23
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 23 |
Oh wow. Was it a cold day maybe it was frozen?....
How was the weather?
If you happen to be on the trail tomorrow morning look for Fred H. & Chris J. They'll be running...
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,037 Likes: 6
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,037 Likes: 6 |
Oh wow. Was it a cold day maybe it was frozen?....
No way. 40F at Guitar lake the night before. Not a trace of moisture, seepage, anything. No big deal. I drank 500 ml for breakfast, took 2000 ml for the climb and next fill up at Trailside Meadow on the way down and out.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12 |
In August you can get by with just a nice lightweight wind jacket that also has a hood and some layer of protection for added warmth. We're talking only about a pound here or less. Just make sure to check the weather forecast (as mentioned above) before you head up.
I hike in mid to late September and so I also bring along an extra sweater and pants (and gloves and a cap). Altogether they weigh about 3 pounds. Bruce, How about rain in late September? Should I buy rain pants or bring some warmer clothes. Going up Sept 26. Thank you
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 279 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 279 Likes: 2 |
Last year, on a 9 day trip down to the Kern from Horseshoe Meadows, up Rattlesnake Creek, over to Big Arroyo at the end of September, I encountered 2 days of snow at Big Arroyo and the HST. Granted, the snow depth never exceeded 3 to 4 inches, but it was enough to slow me down, drop the day and nighttime temperatures significantly!!!!
I knew the possibility of the change in weather prior to the trip and planned accordingly. Sierra weather can change quickly.
paul
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2 |
Bruce,
How about rain in late September? Should I buy rain pants or bring some warmer clothes. Going up Sept 26. Thank you
I wouldn't bother with rain pants, just bring something to keep your legs warm. I just bring one of those cheap rain covers that you can get at Walmart for a buck or two. I don't think I've used it yet on Whitney (and I've been up there about 25 times). In late September it's more likely to fall as snow, since precipitation is more likely to occur in the afternoon (when you're likely to be higher up on the mountain).
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2 |
Last year, on a 9 day trip down to the Kern from Horseshoe Meadows, up Rattlesnake Creek, over to Big Arroyo at the end of September, I encountered 2 days of snow at Big Arroyo and the HST. Granted, the snow depth never exceeded 3 to 4 inches, but it was enough to slow me down, drop the day and nighttime temperatures significantly!!!!
I knew the possibility of the change in weather prior to the trip and planned accordingly. Sierra weather can change quickly.
paul Hi Paul, I just got yesterday from a 3 day trip which went down Rattlesnake creek and up Kerns Canyon a few miles (to head west back up the HS trail). It got down to 30 degrees in the Kern and it was only Sept 5th.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 279 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 279 Likes: 2 |
Hey Bruce, I would have suggested a great campsite, on the Kern River, off the Rattlesnake trail about 75 meters in. The campsite sits on the banks of the Kern surrounded by a heavy forest. Nice fire pit with log benches.
Where? Right at the junction of Rattlesnake trail and the Kern Trail. There is a row of rocks (small), somewhat blocking the entrance of the use trail straight to the Kern.
Yeah, last year I hiked the Kern River loop 3 times, May 4th, June 12th and September 24th.
The September trip took me up Rattlesnake, to where the trail to Big Arroyo breaks off.
paul
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2 |
I think I was pretty close Paul, as it was already dark when I bottomed out and I just started looking to the left side of the trail as I headed north and found a nice spot between a couple of trees after a couple of minutes walking. It was very quiet with no wind too. I'll have to check out the Arroyo trail one of these days. I saw a small wildfire in that area (although higher up) when I was on the High Sierra Trail. I'm hoping this 3 day hike scores me some acclimation points for the Whitney day hike this coming Monday. Hopefully there will still be some left.  Hey Bruce, I would have suggested a great campsite, on the Kern River, off the Rattlesnake trail about 75 meters in. The campsite sits on the banks of the Kern surrounded by a heavy forest. Nice fire pit with log benches.
Where? Right at the junction of Rattlesnake trail and the Kern Trail. There is a row of rocks (small), somewhat blocking the entrance of the use trail straight to the Kern.
Yeah, last year I hiked the Kern River loop 3 times, May 4th, June 12th and September 24th.
The September trip took me up Rattlesnake, to where the trail to Big Arroyo breaks off.
paul
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 567
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 567 |
snow last night? looks like snow in the chute. if anyone has gone up either mr or main, please post pics, report
 "Turtles, Frogs & other Environmental Sculpture" www.quillansculpturegallery.comtwitter: @josephquillan If less is more, imagine how much more, more is -Frasier
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2 |
I did the main trail yesterday (9/14). Topped out around 11 am, intermittent light snow after trail crest with temps in the low 30's. At around 1 pm it was light rain (we were between Trail Camp and Trailside meadow) all the way down and out.
Since the precipitation really got underway when we were below the snow elevation, I can imagine that a few inches fell.
Last edited by bruce; 09/15/15 03:11 PM.
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12 |
Bruce,
What about wind?. Was it windy? Thank you
Andy
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Re: Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015 (Out-of-Date)
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 168 Likes: 2 |
Very little wind, relatively speaking (maybe 3-5 mph). At Trail Crest and to the hut the wind was a little stronger, but it was much lighter than normal. I read though ( Timberline Trails) that the winds were to start picking up after this small storm, at least for a few days. Frankly I would prefer a little light snow or rain to the winds (as long as the snow isn't enough to require any mountaineering equipment). People seemed fairly miserable heading down in the rain, but I wasn't one of them.
Last edited by bruce; 09/16/15 02:48 PM.
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