Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney Current Conditions/Reopening

Horseshoe Meadow is now open until around half a mile before the trailhead (the same closure that was in place last week):
https://www.facebook.com/inyonf/
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/inyo/recreation

No guarantees that the forest won't be on fire next week, though.

Haha, well that's certainly good news. I suppose it's too easy to catastrophize given everything so far.

Thanks for the update!

I have a reservation for June 29th (still not cancelled), already emailed the information needed to pick up my permit (haven't gotten anything back and it's been 3 days. Has anyone else heard back for permits reserved for next week?) If my reservation is cancelled, I'm still going to be in the area for a week anyway. Anyone here have suggestions of what mountains to climb?? The plan is if my reservation is cancelled to grab someone's who hasn't claimed it (if available) next week where hopefully they will have Mt Whitney open. Anyone care to share their thoughts or opinions on this plan? Thank you!!

Heh! I made a hike from Horseshoe Meadows around to Tulainyo Lk, Mt Russell, and down the Mountaineers Route several years ago, and the Horseshoe Fire put a big kink in the end of my hike. I was trying to hitch hike up to Horseshoe Meadows to get my car when the fire broke out. I talked to the driver of the last car going up -- he had one spot available in his car, but he refused my request. After that, fire engines raced by me, and the sheriff's patrol closed the road ...for the next 5 days! The fire was well out, but they kept people out, so I had to take the ESTA bus to Lee Vining, and then hitch hike home to Fresno. The manager of the Elevation Sierra Adventure store in Lone Pine agreed to retrieve my car and drive it to Fresno -- I got him an Amtrak ticket to Sacramento, his ultimate destination.

So if the forest catches fire, beware!!!

2 years ago the George's Fire did something similar to my plans. I was going from Whitney to HSM, but I left my car at the Portal. By the time I was done with the hike, the portal road was closed. I had to convince my hired ride to go around the closed signs to finally get to my car. For some moments I thought I was going to be stuck in Lone Pine for several days. Definitely kept the trip interesting.

Gustavo

From: https://m.facebook.com/InyoCountySheriffsOffice/

The evacuation will last until Monday 6/29, and permits will be canceled through Thursday, July 2. There is "limited damage" to the Whitney trail.

Trail is closed till at least July 2nd per Inyo national Forest due to rock slides.

as of today they've made the trail closed until at least July 2nd it may go past that date but for now it's at least till July 2nd per Inyo national Forest due to the Rock slides

Yes they are required for overnight permits.

From:
https://m.facebook.com/InyoCountySheriffsOffice/

The Whitney Portal road, main trail, mountaineers route, and Whitney Portal campground will open on July 3. The National Recreation Trail will eventually be re-routed around the damaged area, and the Group Campground will remain closed.

Any thoughts on how safe the area is (aftershocks?) and the stability of the mountaineer's route even once it opens? Have a permit for July 4 and wondering how unstable the ledges or the gully/chute might be?

Hey Whodunnit27.... I was on Whitney last year when the 7.1 earthquake hit Ridgecrest. I too had the same concerns, especially on the section between the switchbacks and the summit, but as it turned out everything was safe. Hardly felt any of the aftershocks. It is after all a giant granite rock (with some loose stuff). One thing I have learned from mountaineering is never to linger in an area where hazards such as rock falls can occur, move quickly and pay attention to your surroundings. If you see a rock falling, warn other hikers on the trail. We all gotta watch out for one another.

I too have a Whitney permit for July 4th. Ill see you on the trail. Be Safe!

Thanks @MuffenMan ! See you on the trail, very helpful information