Originally Posted By: DAN B.
Is there the possibility that the Portal Road will be closed the weekend? Hiking without a permit is one thing but the additional mileage up the road is a concern.
Per a conversation with the Portal Store employee, the road is currently open but does the Fed have the capability to deny access to the Portal parking lot?

Talk about the last thing I thought I would have to plan for in doing this hike

Dan, Whitney Portal Road is an Inyo County road, maintained by the county, and patrolled by the CHP (Calif Highway Patrol). Inyo National Forest administers the forest and the wilderness, but not the roadway.