Originally Posted by jetav8ter
Greetings, I have a main trail day permit for the back half of June and would appreciate any trail conditions readers here might have, particularly with regard to snow conditions on the switchbacks. Much obliged and GLTA.
The switchbacks will likely be open by mid-June. Currently, the snowcover is slightly less than on this same date in 2018, and most people were using the switchbacks by June 16 during that year:
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/53085/When_will_Mt_Whitney_switchbac
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snowapp/sweq.action

There'll almost certainly be some lingering patches of snow that you'll have to cross in mid-late June, but you'll probably be able to safely get through them without needing crampons or microspikes. My main concern would be obtaining those permits, as they may be cancelled until June 30, and the gate on Whitney Portal Road is expected to stay closed until then:
https://www.facebook.com/inyonf/

"Inyo National Forest Provides Wilderness Permits Virtually, Effective June 1, except Mt. Whitney
...
The exception to this is Mt. Whitney day and overnight permits, which are being cancelled one week in advance of the hiking start day. Please see Inyo County guidance. Mt. Whitney is a high use trail and where rescues and recoveries are common. Whitney Portal Road remains closed at the lower gate.

People who have been awarded a permit reservation for Mt. Whitney on the Inyo National Forest will receive a notice from recreation.gov that notifies them that their reservation has been cancelled and a refund have been issued. There is no action required from you at this time. The credit card used to make the original reservation will be refunded."

Last edited by Big Pine; 05/25/20 01:05 PM.