Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion What's the big deal about the OLD TRAIL??????

Joe -

I think your comments about the difficulties of finding the beginning of it are accurate. Someone showed me where it started, and even though I've used it many times since, unless I've been up it recently, I can still cast around a bit for the first hundred feet or two. Once on I find it pretty straight-forward. Definitely a more basic trail than the regular freeway-grade MWMT. I've always found it good shape. Am pretty sure "the Dougs" see to that, since Doug Sr. frequently scoots up when a hiker may be reported missing.

Trails are a highly personal preference, and I find I use it almost exclusively. When starting up Whitney, I like to get a jump on the substantial elevation ahead, and while I don't hike quickly, I've found that I can stretch my legs on this section, arriving at the junction ready to ease into the longer, less steep strides ahead. It can be a bit tricky on the way down as it's much steeper and the footing can be a bit slippery with granite "marbles", but I've found that by that time my feet as hurting, and rather than thinking about my feet I have to focus on footing, so it keeps my mind off them. Before I know it, I see the blacktop of the Portal ahead, and am looking forward to a cold adult beverage.