Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2016 (Out-of-Date)

Thank you. I use one normally. They are not mandatory come November, but yes, the little critters are the ones that are pesky. So even at Long Lake you recommend right now?

Not sure which lake you are referring to, but people have successfully hung their food over a big rock making it impossible for critters to get to it.

Planning on heading up to Whitney before another storm hits. Anyone know if there is ice on the cable section or windows.

Long Lake at Cottonwood Lakes, just below New Army Pass for Langley. We have decided best to take a canister between the two of us.

That's a wise call, CanadianGirl. See ya up there ;-)

Successfully summited Mt Muir, which is just to the south of Whitney on Saturday Nov 5 via the Whitney Trail. Had great weather. Their was quite a bit of snow above Guitar lake. The cables had packed snow not ice. Micro spikes were very helpful, and there was a solid boot pack. Many people turned back on the switchbacks just above the cables. The angle here is steep and you would want to be comfortable in snow travel to continue confidently.

Most of the ice on the trail was below trail camp, very slippery without micro spikes.

Happy Trails
Some photos of the Trail :
Mt. Whitney Trail Nov 5

Thanks so much for the report, Ryan G. I'm including several of your pictures here...

This is an awesome picture of the switchbacks. Was it taken from Mt Muir?



The Cables section

Hi Steve C,
Thanks! That view was indeed from the summit Mt. Muir. It was an amazing day for views, the weather and visibility was better than many summer trips!

Ryan G

Hiked Mt Whitney from the main portal trail this Saturday - Sunday! It was perfect weather for the hiking part, the night at trail camp was a bit cold in the 20s with some wind...
overall though all anyone needed were microspikes and trekking poles. A few people had mountaineering boots and crampons or ice axes but those weren't necessary, at least not this last weekend. (Nov5-6). There was even a few people who braved it without microspikes and were fine, I'm very grateful I had mine with me though.

I would share photos but I'm not sure how to do that on here (though the photos posted up from thuan last week look about the same for conditions)

Walter R hiked to Trail Camp on Friday, Nov 11, posted some pictures on FaceBook:

Several pictures:
Whitney Portal is unusually busy for November.



Snow on the trail above Mirror Lake



Pond at Trail Camp is frozen over.

Hi there,
I am new to this forum and wanted to see if anyone went up recently and if crampons and ice axes are recommended for the hiking trail to Mt Whitney summit. I have never been and am planning to go next weekend if weather permits it. Going with two other friends who don't have crampons so want to double check with you guys to see if the conditions require the gear.
Thanks,
Masha

First, read the Disclaimer.

You at least need microspikes. If the current storm dumps a significant amount, crampons would be better.

You can rent them in Lone Pine, I think.   Call Elevation Climbing about the conditions and the rentals.

Steve C and JC hikes-please don't be telling anyone that microspikes are sufficient. This is NOT the case whatsoever. Microspikes fail on hard ice, there is no substitute for crampons. To the lady asking if you need crampons and that your friends don't have them this is telling me you do not know anything about safety. Please don't put yourself at risk and know when there is no snow or ice, and I mean next year. And if your friends were to buy or rent crampons they will not know how to use them. Don't be another Accident waiting to happen and put search and rescue crews at risk either.

Read the disclaimer! Thanks for the advice we have microspikes and will look into renting crampons.
Cheers,
Masha

Hi John,
Thank you for your the helpful comment. Most likely we will wait until next year but I did want to get on the forum and ask around anyway!

Has anyone gone up recently? I would love to know the current conditions... we made an attempt a month ago, I'd love to get back out there.

Picture of Whitney Portal Road, posted on Instagram Dec 22, by robertamaraaa

Posted on Instagram, Dec 22, by amoore0308 (Possibly from June 4, 2016)

Re: amoore0308 - Is that the summit?

Frank, amoore0308 is on Instagram, not here. Doubt she'll see it. But it is the summit, and it appears they made it in the past several days.

The weather has been clear and calm recently, so it is quite possible. I asked the question on Instagram, but people often don't see the questions and don't reply.