Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2017 (Out-of-Date)

oh man...you just missed out. There were 3 available spots on the day that you were looking for but they got grabbed quickly. I've been clicking on it all day trying to get the Oct. 1.
https://www.recreation.gov/entranceDetails.do

there's one spot left for the Oct 4

Posted on FB by Elizabeth S:

Day hike 9/25/2017

I felt like the trail is still in pristine summer conditions if you're planning to hike it after the small storm that past by last week. No issue whatsoever. No micro spikes or trekking pole needed. Simply side step the small ice patch at the cables half way up the switchbacks.

Day Hike 9/25/17

Did the entire Mt Whitney Trail yesterday. Current conditions are excellent! If you're going to go, go now. The forecast has it continuing to get warmer throughout the week which is nice. We had almost no clouds and no wind all the way up to the summit. We started at 4:45am and it was 35 degrees. Within about about 2 miles I was shedding layers. The stream crossings were no issue except for outpost camp; there was a fair amount of ice on the rocks which proved challenging. The only other ice on the trail was one switchback at the cables. You could easily side step around it on the rocks like the person above me said. The only snow on the trail was within a mile of the summit and it was maybe 20 feet long and had been well worn. After trail camp, I wore a t-shirt all the way to the summit and back down to trail crest. Then it got pretty chilly when the sun went down. All things considered, we couldn't have asked for a better day to hike then yesterday, good luck!

Agree with Union! My crew had a beautiful day yesterday to do the day hike on 9/26. We started around 1:30am. One of my teammates did slip on the icy rocks and ended up with a wet foot, but thankfully she brought extra socks and was able to continue on.

Below is a photo of the cable section, I had no problem with just regular hiking shoes. Going down I just went on my butt if there was a dodgy part.



The forecast had called for 30mph wind at the summit, so we were prepared for harsh weather. Thankfully we had beautifully sunny skies and only mild wind.

So incredibly grateful for the advice on this forum. It definitely changed the gear I brought with me and I was warm and comfortable the entire time.



A few more pics here

Did you bring that wooden Whitney sign up to the summit? I don't recall seeing that up there before.

I have one permit for the 4th. My partner blew out her knee and just let me know today I did send an e-mail to the e-mail listed.

I read on FB someone took a sign down from the summit the other day. She would return it to the owner but they would have to contact her in Bishop.

My wife and I will be spending the night at trail camp on Sunday 10/8 and planning to summit on Monday 10/9. Does anyone have any feedback regarding recent night time temps at trail camp?? The weather reports have shown recent warmer temps.

Thanks in advance for any info... steve

Here are forecast temps for the Trail Camp area from the NOAA website:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php...12#.WdJ6g0bn_3g

Those temperature forecasts do not include wind-chill conditions. You can zoom in (click +)the little map, and point and click, to any area you want and get weather forecasts for that specific area.

Conditions as of October 1, 2017:

Horseshoe Meadow -> New Army Pass -> Rock Creek -> Guitar Lake -> Mt. Whitney -> Whitney Portal

Thur, Sept 28
Horseshoe Meadow: Clear skies, frigid temps (all night and morning), no wind, no snow in sight, plenty of water, low creek crossings, trail in good condition

Fri, Sept 29
New Army Pass: Clear skies, warm temps (@ 12:30 p.m.), no wind, no snow on trail, plenty of water, trail in good condition

Sat, Sept 30
Guitar Lake: Clear skies, warm temps all evening, no wind, no snow on trail, plenty of water, low creek crossings

Sun, Oct 1
Mt. Whitney (via JMT from Guitar Lake): Clear skies, warm at Guitar Lake (@ 1:30 a.m.), no snow on trail, no ice on trail, good condition

Trail Crest to Mt. Whitney; Clear skies, frigid temps (@ 4:30 a.m.); high winds, no snow on trail except for a small 10 yd patch that has melted away

Mt. Whitney Peak: Clear skies, no snow on trail, frigid temps, high winds

Mt. Whitney Trail to Whitney Portal: Clear skies, warm, ice at cables (completely manageable), no snow on trail

Hi Moxy,

A buddy and I are going up 10/11 for a day hike - any trail conditions you can share on the forum would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

Hi Raja,
What AMS medication did you use? Diamox?
Sorry to hear that you didn't get to summit.
I had AMS last year that stopped me from summiting. Hopefully this year I'll do it.
Thanks,

Jason

I was up there saturday 10/7. You'll have smooth hiking conditions for the next few days for sure. Its epic right now!

We did a 1-day hike and summitted yesterday (10/10). We left at 4am and was back to the parking lot by 530pm. The entire day was gorgeous and we had a 30 minute lunch at the summit. Light winds and clear skies! Trail is in great condition. About 15 foot stretch of ice at the cables on the 99 switchbacks - but you can easily get around it. No need for crampons. Wind picked up in the afternoon. Overall amazing day.

We took Altitude RX pills 24 hours before hiking (and through the duration) and did one acclimation hike to Lone Pine Lake the day we arrived (10/9). Other than that no other hikes at altitude. Everything went into slow motion above 13.5k ft. But no headaches or nausea.

A big thanks to everyone for updating trail conditions leading into our hike!

I have 2 questions:
1. Is it a feasible option to plan Mt. Whitney Summit hike on the weekend of 21-22 Oct 2017?
2. If yes, I know this may sound silly, will I be able to find a group that has permit somehow?

1. Yes, if the weather stays dry.
2. No. Groups don't normally invite strangers to join. But there is currently a single day hike permit available online for Oct 22.
Keep checking, and you may find one for Oct 21, if that's what you want.

Overnight permits are usually available free to anyone walking in at the Visitor Center in Lone Pine in October.

Anyone who has done Mt. Whitney summit on weekend, did you see any snow anywhere on the trail?

Conditions will change this time of year as temperatures drop and the storm season approaches. Be prepared for whatever might come, including walking on snow. The NOAA forecast for late this week shows a chance of snow showers on Mt. Whitney. Are you ready for that?

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php...66#.WeS6tUbn_3g