Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion north fork big pine creek trail conditions????

HI,
Anyone been up in the past week? How much snow?

I have been trying to get the same information as I plan to head up on the 27th. I have asked this same question on another forum, so if I get an answer there I will let you know. I called the White Mtn. RD station and was told that the last report they received was that trail is snow free up to First Lake. I was unable to get any further information for conditions past that point in regards to snow depth, if it was patchy, or still a winter wonderland. Hopefully someone will be able to chime in on one of the forums with more detailed information. Good Luck!

This is a response received on the other forum. Sounds Promising.

"I was up there on the weekend of june 10- i was headed up to willow lake but South Fork bridge is washed out. So i left area.
People told me Big Pine lakes were thawing out or thawed out and the trail was clear. This was 2 weeks ago."
http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6420&p=44385#p44385

Thanx....
I received this response from summitpost...
http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/post836542.html

so, it seems that it is all good. Let's keep the trip reports coming in :O)

we will be going up for the 4th.

Annie

Awesome! Thanks for that.

just chatted wtih the ranger...he said he has had "reports" of the trail is clear up to the 2nd lake.

that's about it...

I was up there on Friday of this week. Trail is open to at least 2nd Lake and probably most of the way to 3rd Lake. Heavy run-off in the creek, but no problems thus far.
Very few mosquitos...touch wood.

great news...thanx
are the lakes still frozen??

I am going up the North Fork out of Big Pine on July 6th. I have been communictaing with someone at the Glacier Lodge, she tells me that hikers have been going to Sam Mack and also Black Lake with only a few snow drifts to get over. I spoke with the ranger yesterday and was told that trail is clear to 1st lake, patchy snow after 2nd lake and heavy snow after 3rd lake.

Thats the best infomation I have

I just got back. The trail is mostly clear all the way to Summit Lake. Only small patches once you get to the Fourth/Fifth lake area. Fifth lake was partially frozen over, but melting fast. Deep, wet, slushy snow heading up to sixth/seven lakes, but I would imagine it wouldn't be a problem very soon. Still tons of snow heading to Sam Mack and the Glacier. Nights were cold and the snow was hardening fast when the shade hit. Use caution if heading up to Sam Mack Meadow. Have fun!