Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Inyo Creek Fire

Hey guys. I have a permit for overnight through Mt Whitney Portal in June 24/25. Just heard about the Inyo creek fire. Any thoughts on the likelihood of the portal opening back up by then. I’m wondering how seriously I should start contingency planning as I have little experience with how quickly wildfires are managed. Thanks in advance.

Tough to say. Every year or so they seem to get one like this that shuts things down for a few days. You'll have to keep watching. This site also has up to date info usually. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7564/

Good luck.

we have permit for the 30th and are watching developments closely. I requested permit by email on Saturday and haven't received response.

We just got an email that all permits through June 27th are being refunded. We are still hopeful for the 1st but are putting a back up plan in place

UPDATE 6/23/21

It looks like there are two incidents, one activated and one registered as contained according to Cal Fire.

The earliest Alabama Fire is listed at 100% containment, having been knocked down by the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit a BIG thanks to those lads and lasses cutting line!

The Inyo Creek Fire which is further west and burning amid the hills lists no (perhaps 0%) containment. I imagine those rugged and rocky hills are particularly dangerous to work in. I imagine they are focusing on structure defense where safer to attempt.

Hopeful your July 1st permit will be issued! Wildfire disruptions are so disappointing. Planning a backpacking trip for August. Very worried about wildfires.

Here's a picture posted on Facebook by the owner of the "Mt. Whitney and Lone Pine Campgrounds" page, showing the fire in Lone Pine Creek. [ FB Link ]

Updated as of 43 minutes ago: Inyo Creek Fire is STILL burning, but we have an estimated size of 586 acres with 20% containment.

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7564/

Here's a picture posted by a hiker (Sarah G) who was one of the last to exit down the Whitney trail to Whitney Portal. It was reported as taken Monday, June 21, 2021.

Great photo. When was this taken?

Monday, June 21

Just received cancellation for camping spot at the Portal for June 30th to July 1st. "A location closure has been issued for WHITNEY PORTAL from Mon, Jun 28, 2021 - Thu, Jul 1, 2021 due to Fire" We haven't received a cancellation for our July 1 hike but we are pretty pessimistic and bummed at this point.

For those of you watching the closure ...

Same here. My Whitney Portal camping reservation has been cancelled and my money refunded. I have not had my permit cancelled. But that can’t be far behind.

Very sorry folks. That has got to be so very frustrating.

Sorry folks, I know this must be extremely frustrating. My permit is for the 21st, very worried.

Go to Horseshoe Meadows, which is very open, and climb Langley, a very underrated but cool14er! No permits required for a day hike.

I’m actually not feeling TOO bad. The weather forecast is not looking too good for Wednesday. This fire actually got me a full refund on my campsite, which I would NOT have gotten had I just cancelled.

21st of July? You don't think the whitney trail will be opened by then? I ask because my group's permit is for July 8th and we were thinking we'd be okay. Do you think we're going to be cancelled as well?

May be I am too pessimistic.. I suspect the terrain and the strategy below means it will take a while. I hope I am wrong.

My permit for June 30 has been cancelled and my money refunded.

Any updates on your Jul 1st hiking permit? Ours is on Jul 5th and I haven't heard back from them yet on the email check-in