Mt Whitney Zone Forums Trip Reports Whitney Trail in Great Shape

Just back from my trip 7/14 - 15. The trail to the top is in great shape! I had just poles and had no problem navigating the switchbacks and snowfields.

I stayed the night at Outpost Camp, woke up at 4:00 and made the summit by 8:30.
What a fantastic trip!

Thanks for everyone contributed their earlier trips it really helped me make the most of my time there.

Congratulations!! Recent reports have shown the last few switchbacks before Trail Crest as snow fields with steep slopes below. Are you still on snow or are you on rock now. Pictures?

Brent N

probably 4 snow fields on the switchbacks and one more near the top. I went Friday, left at 3 am. It was cold so the snow was still nice. Lots of ice on the switchbacks. The snow section at the top is exposed to the chute...but if you look ahead with trekking poles it is not bad. But don't look down if you are afraid of heights. Softer snow on the way down was a little slippery. But there is still lots of snow. No where near clear. Recent July 9th reports photos show what it still looks like.

Be careful and you are fine. We rented crampons that were left in the car. Carried the axe but left in backpack. A guy walking up the chute did slide down 200 ft. He was fine other than having 200 ft to climb again. Snow is slushy in the afternoon so not that fast.

Stream crossing were fine. Never wet. Though take the old trail at start to skip one wet crossing. Cold at top so check forecast.

The snow and views are amazing for July.

I appreciate the feedback. In the 4-5 snowfields on your return trip when things were slushy, did you posthole? I'm trying to make a last minute decision about whether to bring gaiters and whether to bring hiking boots or my preferred footwear--trail runners. It sounds like we can avoid getting our feet too weat on the lower trails. the only question is whether we are going to pick up a bunch of snow/water near trailcrest.

What were the temps like at Outpost, Trail Camp and up on top?

Getting excited ;-)

I was just up on the switchbacks on Friday before turning around, and I really don't think you're going to need gaiters. There just isn't that much snow there at this point.

You could post hole but I would say no gators. I just stayed away from the obvious areas. I wore regular low top trail shoes with long pants. Feet were fine. Up top it was in the thirties. But again we went on a colder day Friday. I believe it is warming up. Guys were in shorts and tee shirts but they had to be cold. I had long pants, fleece vest with short sleeve shirt. Only put the jacket and gloves on once before trail camp at the coldest of the morning.

Great info everyone. Many thanks.