Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail

This thread is designed to hold posts displaying pictures and describing the current conditions of the Main Mount Whitney Trail (MMWT).  I hope everyone will contribute.

Please feel free to post pictures of your own or from any source (please post a reference to the original location), so that everyone can come here and easily find/read/see the conditions.

Older posts will be moved as conditions change. (As a result, some posts may appear to answer comments that are no longer in the thread.)

Thanks for everyone's help. Your posting trip reports helps untold numbers of hikers following you.

Older posts moved here:   Out-of-date Mt Whitney Trail Conditions -- 2023

Note: Sometimes this thread spans a number of pages. You can click through all the pages, or click here to display all in one page.

Just summited the Whitney on June 9th. Checkout my video to see hiking conditions. Best of luck for those about to summit! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC1a7uews-g

Thank you Matt & Jennifer. Your video really shows people what the current conditions are like this year: Full snow, from Outpost Camp to the summit.

Here is set of pictures in the "Trip Reports" forum by LostInMtn: Mt. Whitney via Whitney Trail 6/8 - 6/9/2023

Now it is a month or so later. Anyone summit and can relay what the conditions are now after all this heat? Still needing snow gear to take the Whitney Trail?

Here is one from July 18, 2023, from Jesse N.
Ice Axe and crampons are definitely the safest equipment yet.

Thank you for sharing.
Location?

I think that photo is looking down “the chute” from just below Trail Crest.

Correct. Trail camp is on the right, just above the middle of the picture. Click the picture to enlarge, and you can see the trail camp pond there. The 99 switchbacks climb through the rock band extending downward and left, from the right side of the photo. The cables are at the bottom of that rock band.

Thanks Steve and Bob, that is what I thought.

WOW - that is a lot of snow!

Are the switchbacks being used at all?

Anyone been up the west side lately?

Still 3 weeks before I'll approach from that side, but starting to collect ground condition info.

WanderingJim,

I'm headed up tomorrow. I'm hiking the west approach to Whitney from NAP. I'll give a full trip report as soon as arrive at the portal.

From what I have heard on AllTrails, a hiker has used the 99 switchbacks on the way up from trail camp. He reported using ice axe and crampons. He came down the snow field on his decent. I may use the switchbacks to give an established route if it looks safe. I will bring all my mountaineering equipment and possibly a shovel.

-Mike

Hi Fit2Climb,

How are the switchbacks do they look safe at this point? If not I was planning on going up the snow chute on Aug 4. Thanks!

Here's an update from Inyo SAR FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/inyosar


Current conditions on Mount Whitney are still snowy. Yes, it is melting and getting a little less every day, but a lot of snow is remaining, especially in the dangerous sections around the 99 Switchbacks of the Main Trail as well as the Chute on the Mountaineers’ Route. Both those sections are at high altitude and do not get much direct sunlight, so the snowmelt here takes a long time.
The 99 Switchbacks are almost free of snow, HOWEVER 4 steep traverses are still snow covered and will require crampons and ice axe, as well as solid mountaineering skills, to navigate in a safe manner. That includes the infamous cables section.
We have seen multiples rescues of people who slid uncontrollably down a snowy slope, and have heard even more reports of slides with minor injuries that allowed people to self-rescue.
These pictures were taken last week and show one of these traverses. If you or one of your group members are not comfortable crossing this, don’t push it. Your summit photo is not worth injuries and a rescue, let alone months or years of recovery. The mountain will always be there for another attempt.
Inyo SAR is an all-volunteer and unpaid, professional non-profit 501(c)3 organization in cooperation with and under the authority of the Inyo County Sheriff's Office. Providing search and rescue services to Inyo County and its visitors is only possible thanks to donations.

Anyone been up lately? I know there was some snow in the last week, not sure how that's changed things. I'm supposed to bring up a few fellas in about 2 weeks who are good hikers but do not have any winter experience (I do but will not let them do anything overly sketchy). Last I heard there were a couple of icy patches on the upper switchbacks and some avoidable snow fields between there and the summit but the rest of the trail was pretty good? Thanks for any info.

Any updates on Switchbacks conditions? Trip planned for end of October. Camp @ trailhead 27th. Camp @ Trail Camp 28th. Summit 29th. Camp @ Trail camp 29th. Pack out 30th. Haven't seen any updates since mtnfox2 inquired on 9/6.

There is snow on the switchbacks, but it has been packed down. Might want to take microspikes.

No water above Trail Camp.

Thanks, Steve!

Does anyone have any trail updates (starting from Whitney Portal)?

I have been calling the Easter Sierra Visitor Center for 3 days now (I now know Monday was a holiday) and I haven't gotten a hold of anyone. I finally called the Wilderness Permit Station and they didn't have many updates other than they haven't had many rangers up there recently. The person I talked to said that he understood it to be "very wet" and when I pressed him for more details, he didn't know.

Thanks for any info you can share!

Summited on 10/10 at about 10am with an alpine start on a single day permit. Be advised Portal Road has a considerable detour due to flooding. It'll add 10-15 minutes to the drive from Lone Pine. All stream crossings are manageable. Water is available up to Trail Camp. Micro spikes recommended from the cables to trail crest. Storm came in at noon on our decent so start early! This is my go to weather source: Mountain Forecast Hope that helps!

Thank you, Dauphinais!

it's wise to bring appropriate gear and be prepared for varying conditions, as weather in mountainous regions can be unpredictable. This might include sturdy hiking boots, extra layers, sun protection, plenty of water, and potentially even traction devices for areas that still have snow or ice.

Good Afternoon! I summited for the first time recently and did my first video. What an experience, I was trying to get a permit for several years. I shot trail conditions during the day and at night. I left Whitney Portal at 12:30am. Here is the video for current conditions or to see what the trail looks like at night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL1Pydv5br8&t=4s

Watched video. Wow! Very well done...who took the videos of you on the hike as I know it was a solo effort. Congrats!@!

Dayhiked to the summit on 9/29.

The dusting of snow from two weeks back is near completely gone. There were some icy pacthes by the cables and small spots on the top switchback before Trail Crest but spikes were absolutely excessive.

Water is flowing almost everywhere. The water IS flowing during the day at the 23rd Switchback, but it was frozen at dawn when I passed it (leaving TC as the last reliable water).

Was not shocked to see the laser-cut steel sign that was at the summit two years ago was still there— I was surprised that it is pretty bent out of shape atm. Who is throwing that thing around?

I was very happy to see a newer painted sign (a handheld one for folks to take photos with) with "Tumanguya" the Nüümü (Paiute) name for Whitney. Tumanguya, I believe, means "Old Man" which is a name for a guardian spirit. In my view it is an older, better name since Whitney was merely assigned to the peak as a political favor to Josiah Whitney, (the man who couldn't be more wrong about how Yosemite Valley was created).

Hello, I have a day permit for Sunday the 27th. Hoping to get information on the current trail conditions. Is there any snow on the trail? Best, Papanna

Everything is currently dry. No storms on the horizon. There will be some ice on the trail at the cables and at stream crossings.

Thank you Steve!

Hey all! I was wondering if anyone knows whether there is snow/ice in the couloir on the Mountaineer's route. Planning to summit this weekend and deciding which spiky things to bring.

There's a 30% chance of snow showers tonight, low 10F, hi 19F. Take your meanest spiked things.

Hey everyone! Have an overnight permit for this weekend - goal is to summit Saturday! We're due to enter Friday, stay at consultation lake friday night, and summit the following morning. How do we feel about the light snow forecasted?

Steve, I see the note above re Mountaineers route - thanks for the bit of info. Having you inform this community is so helpful - much appreciated! But I'm curious how conditions are on main trail? Do we think the showers will impact the route? Do we think spikes/snow gear will be necessary? I am thinking it should be clear (although very cold!) given it is so late season and this will be some of the first pops of snow. Has anyone been up recently? Any reports to share? Advice to offer? Would love to gather input. Thanks this is the best forum!!!

The forecast calls for a chance of light snow. Up until now, the trail has been clear and dry. If the storm brings that snow, it should only be light, and maybe microspikes would be helpful. "Snow gear" shouldn't be necessary, only multiple layers for the bitter cold!

I always check the NOAA Whitney area weather and Mountain Forecast -- both linked on the weather page.

Hey Chance! I was wondering if you ended up making it/how the conditions were on Friday and Saturday. My school is getting a 3-day weekend starting on Friday, Nov 8th, so I'm planning to go up then if conditions aren't too dangerous yet.

-K