Mt Whitney Zone Forums Reference Older Trail Conditions - Mt Whitney Trail, 2021

Re: hiking poles

They also can help prevent twisted ankles. A few times, stepping on an unexpected rock or loose one, or if my foot slipped a bit, I easily transferred my weight to my hiking poles and prevented a painful bend or twist of my ankle. I was not expecting the poles to be as helpful as they turned out to be.

As for food, I had three sandwiches, made with sliced toast and either PB&honey, ham or roast beef slices. I would have been fine with two, but the third one sort of distracted me from the long track back from the switchbacks to Lone Pine Lake. I started with 6 Cliff bars, 3 Kind bars, three sandwich-size bags of gorp, and a bit more. I brought back 3 Cliff bars, 2 Kind bars, and all the gorp.

The extra pain on my shoulder muscles where the backpack straps were being supported (I did have hip support on that backpack, but maybe not the best for my short stature), would have been less if I can figure out how to pack 10lbs less.

I noticed a lot of people doing the day hike with what seemed to be just hydration packs and the limited storage those provide.

I am going up this Saturday and would appreciate if any of you who went up recently update the status of the Spring on the Switchbacks

Looking for water information at Guitar lake or around the area. I am coming up the backside of Whitney off the southbound PCT and worried there will not be enough water.

It's still flowing as of yesterday (July 13th), have a good trip!

Guitar Lake is your last water from the west side.

The spring on the switchbacks is still flowing as of Jul 22.

I have a question… it’s forecast to snow Mon/Tue and I’m planning on hiking Thursday should I expect to use chains going up to the portal.

I will be renting a mini SUV with 4WD/AWD so maybe I will be fine or not. Secondly, I’m bring micro spikes and crampons with ice axe or should I use snowshoes at the the higher elevations. Also will this be sufficient for the 99 switchbacks and up to the summit.

Any information or advice are appreciated

Best Regards,
Mike

Mike70, there is a huge storm coming across the state tonight through Wednesday. Whitney Portal road is likely closed 3 miles below Whitney Portal by now, and 6-12 inches of snow are predicted for Whitney Portal. NOAA forecasts higher elevations to get several feet of snow.

If you want to go to experience crazy winter conditions, you should take snow shoes and ski poles. But I would stay away, as this sort of heavy snow can be followed by some serious avalanche conditions along the trail. Winter conditions have finally arrived!

Here's the link to weather at Whitney Portal, and at the Whitney summit.

After a big storm the 3+ mile hike from the Hogback Road parking lot (below the first gate) up to the Portal is a major evolution.

Unless you have a lot of cold weather/ snow experience, it doesn't seem like the best time to go, honestly. Friday's temps are forecast to be a bit better, but the next 7-10 days don't look promising.

Along with what has already been said, it's going to be COLD.... Looks like around 20 degrees with windchill below zero around Trail Camp's elevation. Significantly below that if you make it to the summit.

No worries I changed my mind over the weekend I thought. It would be a typical snow event but all the mountains are getting snowstorms. I hiked San Jacinto Peak Friday as a practice hike after the snow last Thursday and had to wear spikes most of the way up plus it was freezing cold I can only imagine Whitney right now.

Regards Mike