Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Partial Eclipse from top of Mt Whitney?

So one of my possible dates to go on my Onion Valley to Mt Whitney trek is the week of the 21st, which is when the total solar eclipse will be going across the USA.

I know it won't be a total solar eclipse down in California, but anyone with a good astronomy background know if being higher up makes the eclipse more spectacular or maybe closer to a full eclipse?

I guess I could just climb a mountain in the direct path and find out (I have been thinking of doing Shasta if I have time this year and it is closer to Oregon ), but I'm already planning on the Whitney trek so just thought I'd ask...

No difference at all.

yes, do that!
A total eclipse is far more spectacular than a partial. When I saw the one in 1970, that last 1 or 2% suddenly cast an almost-evil pall across the sky, the wind stopped, and the the birds went silent. No wonder the ancients thought something supernatural was occurring.

The path of totality is only 70 miles wide. Being a bit of a geek, I made Oregon plans months ago, rub rub. They are expecting millions in Oregon and every mountain peak will be overcrowded. They're really worried about trash and resource damage.

The amount of sun eclipsed is strictly a function of your lat and long. A mountain peak adds nice ambiance, but it doesn't change the physics.

Interactive Google Map

Eclipse Simulator - enter your location

Eclipse2017.org

Nasa Eclipse Website

I guess it was a pipe dream to think the areas accessible by roads would be crowded, but maybe the wilderness areas would still be quiet enough to be enjoyable.

Part of me thinks it would be cool to see, but another part doesn't know if it would be worth the hassle for a few minutes of actual eclipse.

Looks like I-84 in northeast Oregon may be crowded and the Oregon State Troopers will try to keep the traffic flowing.

Grand Tetons may be packed with vacationers from around the area including Yellowstone. Hope the caldera doesn't decide to add a show of its own.

Trying to see it from a mountain? Not worth the effort. Trying to generally see it? Totally worth it. I wouldn't go to Oregon though, I'd be worried about cloud cover being so close to the coast, and earlier in the day. I have plans to fly to Denver and then drive to a spot in Nebraska in the path of totality. The flights were cheaper and closer than other places further East, and I like my chances for good weather better here. Plus, it was still possible to find a hotel back in May that was about two hours from where I wanted to drive. Hotels anywhere in the path of totality may have been fully booked as far as a year in advance.

It was a much bigger deal for people than I realized it would be. Maybe because it's been so long since the last one in the US.

Agree with you on the Oregon coast, however, there is a "rain shadow" east of the Cascades in Oregon - similar to the Eastern Sierra but without the afternoon thunderstorms. Turns out to be the lowest probability of clouds in all the areas shown below. Sunshine 300 days a year. Did my homework, I'll be, in Madras Oregon, along with NASA. Backup plan is to head further east to more desert. Nebraska looks like a good choice, you'll get 30 seconds more totality.

The Europeans were on to this way in advance of Americans. People are coming from all over the world for this, and you're right, even small town motels and campgrounds filled up a year ago or more.

Wow, wish I'd seen this earlier! At least my choice is in the lower end, but now I know I have a better chance going east to Nebraska rather than west to Wyoming. Thanks!

The Meteorologists will be leading the news and streaming live in the lead-up days. The graph is a good planning tool, Mother Nature will have the last word, as always. Best of luck to you for clear skies!