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

        Out-of-date Mt Whitney Trail Conditions -- 2018

The posts below have been moved from the main Current Conditions thread for trail reports during 2018.
(Posts are moved periodically after they no longer represent current conditions.)

Previous years:
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2017
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2016
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2015
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2014
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2013
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2012
    Whitney Main Trail Conditions 2011

Posted on Instagram, Jan 23, 2018 by codymayer22

His caption: Whitney Portal Road, looking beautiful after a night of snow

so is whitney portal road open?

I assume everyone has a permit? When will the roads and trails open up again?

Thank you in advance 😃

Don't count on it being open until Spring. Call the Inyo FS number listed on this link:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/inyo/recreation

Any recent reports up Whitney Trail?

I talked to the Rangers at Lone Pine - they mentioned a lot of freeze-thaw cycles creating icy areas at higher elevations. They thought no crampons or ice axe needed until above Lone Pine Lake.

I plan to head up there this wknd and hike the extra 4 miles with the closed gate, and would appreciate any recent insight!

No local reports that I've heard regarding the Whitney trail. Maybe Moosie has heard something.

I talked with a snow-surveyor friend last night, and he said that the surveyors had to carry their skis over Kearsarge Pass last week: no skiable snow. It is looking pretty dry south of Onion Valley, but above 12000 on Whitney it will be very icey. Ice axe and crampons needed for certain; not micro-spikes and poles.

Hey guys, entered lottery for permits in mid-june and from what i can tell, trail conditions that month can vary greatly depending on snow. I know we aren't through the snowfall months, but how does the snowfall this year compare to most? (so far)

So far, snow has been extremely low -- major drought conditions! However, the first storm of the winter is due in the next several days, so we will at least have some. Unless we get a lot more stormy weather (unlike the past 3 months) the trail will be clear by mid-June, maybe with a few snowy patches.

Awesome! Thanks, fingers crossed. BTW, this board is an amazing tool. I know there is nothing to replace specific trail experience, but I feel like I'll be as prepared as I can be in June. (If I'm lucky enough to get a permit)

Thanks again!

If for some reason you don't get a permit, you can always do a walk in.

When the permit processed changed in, 2000?, and everyone had to get their permit info in by Feb. 1st for the year, I was almost never granted a permit, so I no longer try. I've always, 100% of the time, walked into the visitor center and asked if they had permits available, and was issued one for either that day or the next.

Worst case scenario, just have a back up plan and hike Kearsarge pass, Big Pine Basin, or wherever, you're in the Sierras. Either way, you'll have a blast.

This may be easier said than done coming from Alabama.

We are basically planning the trip around this hike. If we don't get a permit, we are going to set aside two days that work best for us and try your method above. Thanks for the additional options, that was the info I was going to look for next.

Cheers!

Any updates on the current conditions on Mount Whitney trail to Mount Whitney? I understand there was a large amount of snowfall last weekend, however, I can't find any updates.

I am also wondering this, we are planning on taking a pass at the mountaineers route this weekend.

Further, anyone have any knowledge on road access? Would like to avoid some of the walkup if possible.

Will report back on conditions if we make it through

This site says Whitney Portal Rd is closed: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5192379

Are there other ways to approach MR?

Xi, thanks for that. This year, the road has a locked gate 1.5 miles from Whitney Portal.

I'm not sure, but there may also be a spot a mile or two below that with a "Road Closed" sign posted. I think most people drive past the sign, but it means you're traveling at your own risk -- of snow or falling rock hazards.

Sorry, I can't find any updates or posts anywhere. But I would expect you will find a significant amount of fresh snow higher up. I was in the central Sierra, west side, this past weekend, and the powder was deep--3-4 feet. East side is always lots less, but it blows around, so you will find some drifted spots where it will slow you down significantly.

If you guys go, it would really help if you would take a few pictures and send them this way (email them to the contact us link, bottom of the page, or contact me and I can give you my cell number to send them to.) If you don't have pictures, a few sentences describing the conditions would be EXTREMELY helpful to everyone coming here to find out.

"old posts" message -- just a placeholder

Ill be heading up this weekend even though Saturday is calling for snow according to mountain-forecast.com. Im going to try and solo MR but if snow or avalanche conditions are crap Ill abort. If anyone else is heading up early Saturday morning let me know.

Those who havent been up there in the winter... couple tips... park your car away from chutes and be ready to dig yourself out if need be. Take snow chains, even if you have 4x4 with all terrain tires. Lastly snow shoes weigh a lot but beats post-holing.

If you see a black 4runner or orange tent below Iceberg Lake, weather permitting, thats me! Say hello, Ill make you a brew.

I seriously doubt your 4runner will make it to Iceberg lake.