Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Current Conditions Mt Whitney Trail, 2018, Old

Flotation device is a must, a hard lesson learned. We made fresh trail up to lower boy scout lake, normally an hour hike but took us 7 hrs and postholing the whole way (also have to park 2.5 miles away from the trailhead). The snow was soft and waist deep and we have to crawl in some sections.

This was the condition of the weekend of Mar 3-4. Day 1 after a week of snow storm.

Hahaha! Obviously I meant to say if you see my truck parked somewhere of Whitney Portal Road...

Well it was a short lived trip. Set up camp but snow conditions got pretty heavy in the evening. Packed out early and called it a weekend.

Always next weekend.

Hi all,

New to this forum and I’m planning on hiking the Meysan Lake Trail on the 14th of April to get a good feel of this trail, as I will be doing this route on June 1st to the summit. I’m just hiking to Meysan Lake in two weeks to see the conditions. Anyone been on the Whitney Trail or Meysan Lake trail lately? If not, I will update y’all in two weeks when I go. Happy trails!

Hey Fellow Hikers,
I got a Day-Hike permit for June 18.
I wanted your expertise to see how the trail would look this year, i am mostly worried about the trail after trail camp. Do you think the switchbacks will be open to use by June this year ?
How was the winter this year ? Was it better than last year ?

I did the day hike last year during July and had to unfortunately head back after trail camp as i wasn't prepared enough to take on the chute (Switchbacks were covered in snow) and also partially due to altitude sickness.

Any suggestions are most welcome. Thanks!

This year has been well below normal for snow in the Sierras. Last year was FREAKING HUGE. No comparing the two.

Switchbacks should probably be clear in late June or at least navigable.

What is the water availability like in September after a low-snow year at Trail Camp and the switchback spring?

thanks!

The spring on the switchbacks above Trail Camp dries up in September. The Trail Camp pond never does.

Would crampons and ice axe be recommended this year from mid-June - mid July? How do the conditions compare to last year (ran into some deep-doo do at top of Wotans throne snow crossing.)

The snowfall is indeed quite a bit under where it was last year - however spring has been pretty big.
Since it is a later snow year hard to predict June conditions.

Update: These pics are out-of-date. The road opened to the Portal Apr 25. see below.

Pictures from last weekend: Apr 14, 2018. These show the cars parked at the locked gate on the road, about a mile below Whitney Portal. Provided by Bob H, on his hike part way up the Mountaineer's Route.

This from Instagram, shared by ayushsobti

It shows the Mountaineers Route, Iceberg Lake out of view on the right, the Mt Whitney summit in the center. Three dots part way up the chute are climbers.

Anybody know what current trail conditions are on the main trail?

The picture above of the Mountaineer's Route is the same elevation as Trail Camp, which is just a mile south of that. So There would be similar snow coverage, and the switchbacks will be completely under snow right now.

Posted on Instagram by sarahattar

April 15, 2018: This is a view from somewhere high on the slope where the switchbacks are.



Click the pic for a larger view.


Another picture: On the switchbacks



On the crest:

Good morning Steve & members,

I will be headed up for an overnight trip on 3/4 May, and am planning on climbing via the chute up to Trail Crest. I did this same thing last year in early June, but am curious if anyone knows the current status of the "log bridges" as well as if water is available yet at trail camp. I see the pics from the recent mountaineer's route, but no recent news of folks hiking the main trail towards the chute. Any advice is appreciated as I prepare the final gear list. Thanks everyone.

Cheers,

Nick

Update, Inyo County Sheriff's Office

Inyo Co. Sheriff's Office update on FB:



Inyo County Sheriff's Office posted this on facebook today, April 25, 2018:

Went up the Main trail on April 23:

Pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qw6CsdYEEea4iy7S6

Cf picture comments

• Outpost camp (went up the summer trail, no winter shortcut through the front of the meadow)
• Mirror lake (went up the summer trail, chute access was melted)
• Trail camp (the main pound is frozen but liquid water can easily be found in small streams and puddles, even at 6AM)
• chute from trail camp (cable section was visible, but no tracks along the cables)
• bottom of the chute (safe switchbacks on the chute starting from mid-height. Snow was still icy at 10am when we reached the bottom)
• trail crest connection with the switchbacks on the summer trail
• sketchy section on trail crest

@Nick: "log bridges" is completely clear of snow - we only put on our crampons past Mirror lake. Snowshoes were not needed when we went. Bring crampons and ice axes.

@All: thanks for posting and keeping us up to date with the current conditions : )

Philippe,

Thanks for the update and pictures. The question on the log bridge was more geared towards its integrity, as last year in early June, it had been partially washed out and required some careful maneuvering to avoid a wet transit. I did not think they would be washed out this year with the lower snowfall totals.

Cheers,

Nick

@Nick: Makes sense : ) The "bridges of logs" were sturdy and easy to maneuver.

@Philippe: Thank you for this! Were the switchbacks generally easy to follow?