That's what I was wondering... whether we'd be ok sleeping at 12k after hitting Dana the day before.
It sounds like if we decide hike White Mtn, we may be sleeping at the Patriarch cut-off and hiking from there. The person that returned my call said that the road is not passable beyond that point right now and most likey will not be on June 3rd. When I spoke to someone at the Bishop Ranger Station on May 14th, they said I'd have no problems making it to the gate. I later found the number for the White Mountain Ranger Station.
Those were the same conditions I got from them last year. When they say "closed" they mean that they move two easel-style road signs to block the way. I got out, moved them, drove through, and closed them behind me before continuing on.
BTW, I drive an '05 Toyota Corolla on wrecked suspension and I made the drive just fine.
I drove out on day one, saw the visitor center @ Schulman Grove (which was awesome BTW), and I then drove out to the Patriarch cut-off and car camped for the night. I woke up @ sunrise and then drove as far as I could (I got within a mile of barcroft). The road was 99.9% dry, there were only two snow patches w/ tire ruts and my car wasn't high enough clearance, so I parked my car in the closest thing to a turn-out and began to hoof it.
It was about 5 minutes before a gentleman came driving along in his Silverado and offered to let me hitch the last bit to barcroft.
He was a fine fellow.
Though the Whites are incredibly different than the Sierra, I thought they were gorgeous. The views from the summit of WMP are killer, airplane views of Owen's Valley and Nevada. The colors of the steppes below Mount Barcroft are subtle, but magnificent. Especially in the rich morning light.
Also you haven't experienced grandeur until you've witnessed the galloping of marmot herds across McAfee Meadows below WMP proper. I kid you not, they were running around in groups of 5-6 chasing one another, never seen that on Whitney.
