Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Inyo Creek Fire

I called in today and they said permits are only canceled up to the 30th and that for now the permits after that are still valid. They recommended calling in on the 30th for an update. Our permits are for the 8th.

If you hear back can you update here? I'm checking frequently to see what others are seeing.

I just got my overnight Whitney permit for July 1st. I sent an e-mail request for the permit last week. Received no reply. Tried calling 760 876-6200 about 10x on Friday, but no one would pick up the phone. Tried the same today with no luck. Finally found note below on one of the forums about picking up permits. After calling 760-873-2483 about 3x I got ahold of Debra and was able to get my permit and answer questions. -Of course no guarantee the permit will not be cancelled if the fire is not out on July 1st. Fingers crossed

"When all else fails, call the Wilderness Permit Office:760-873-2483 then press 0, then let it ring and ring until someone picks up. If it disconnects, repeat the process. The number should be working 8-5 daily."

Inyo Creek Fire:

The current burn acreage is listed at 592 with 80% containment as of 6 PM PT. Looks like they are making some headway!!

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

Same with me for July 5th hike and I was told to watch for the latest updates on fire even though the permit has been issued. I am just wondering how the air quality would be post the fire.

At 80%, I'll bet there is almost nothing left but a few smoldering logs. Based on past fires, the forest service will not declare the fire 100% contained until all mop-up operations are 100% completed. I guess they are trying to be ultra-safe by working that way, maybe making sure a big wind doesn't fan the smoldering remainders into live fires, or something like that. But I kind of wish they would open things up sooner to get things moving. Most people can be mindful of the situation and stay clear of any danger spots, but the agencies don't want to allow anyone access until they declare it over. It's telling that it's ok for hikers who have cars parked at Whitney Portal to hike down and drive down.

Great to see progress. It looks like the road will be closed through Thursday Jul 1st. Have you seen this? https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/CAI.../related_files/pict20210528-202307-0.pdf

Called Colleen Pennington. She said the road should be open 6pm Wed June 30th if there are no surprises with regards to lightning or flooding from afternoon thunderstorms.

I received my permit by email for whitney starting July 1st this morning. I went to Mammoth Visitor Center and they told me it wouldn't be any good, but I didn't/don't believe them. I've heard even if road is not open that they might keep trail closed, is that true/false? Most info I've received is unreliable

Good news!

I just called the Wilderness Permit number 760-873-2483, and a Haley answered (after only a few rings!!). She says that Whitney Portal Road opens as of 6 pm today, 6-30-21. All trails will be open as well.

If you plan to hike tonight/tomorrow, good luck with your hike, and pls let us know here how it went.

Steve (and Peter above), my wife and I are going to go for it tomorrow. We've printed our permits and will see how far we can get. Maybe we'll see you on the trail

Whitney portal is open! Witnessed the ranger pick up the cones and all gates are open. Safe travels!

Awesome, good luck with the hike!

Just finished Whitney hike. Left yesterday. Things turned out to be fine. Weather today was perfect. It was a little quiet due to the closure which was nice

Congratulations, please post a Trip Report if you are up to it. There haven't been any in a while due to the fires.

Thank you! We finished it yesterday and it was awesome but it was sad to see the damage that was caused by the fire.