For what it is worth, I will paste a post, copied from the Whitney Portal Store site; (this was a response to Saltydog, from jpostmd, so he already knows).
This posting was made 7/6, and the information was maybe day old, I'm *guessing*. I take it as the most up-to-date info on HST that I can find right now:
I spoke with the folks from Lodgepole today and things are looking up - sort of. The initial part of the HST has improved, the creek levels are down and it was suggested that we try for early in the day creek crossings.
The other side of the good is that no one has successfully crossed the Kaweah gap although two parties have tried and turned back. Secondly, the trail just past the tunnel above Hamilton Lake is "dicey" in parts. Lastly, the Crabtree Ranger reported that Wright Creek is impassable at the trail. They have an alternate in mind. The way I see it things are looking up.
John
I have been anxiously awaiting any new info: the NPS info is dated 6/27. The tunnel, and the gap, were the two spots I was worried about. I'm not so worried about traversing snow, per se, but rather, traversing where the trail is tight, and error could result in falling into a gorge. (imo, the trail above the tunnel at Hamilton gorge is dicey in parts *without* snow...)
If I had to leave TODAY, I guess I would think about heading down Timber Gap and up over Blackrock. Much longer, and higher. Probably more snow. But less risky route into Big Arroyo.
My crew is heading up from Crescent Meadow on Thursday 7/14, so I assume I'll hear more news Monday and Tuesday, from people coming out this weekend. If not, we can talk to the rangers, and see if anyone is coming back down the trail with bad news.
Everyone headed out before me, (saltydog) Good Luck! I guess I hope I don't meet you (because that would mean you made it).
We'll be a group of 10, 4 adults, and I'll have a black northface jacket, and a dark-green Kelty Ute pack.
