Mt Whitney Zone Forums Trip Reports Main trail 10-8-2011

Had a group hike Saturday up the main trail, took the Chute up next to the switchbacks..Topped out at trail crest at 11:35 which is my turn around time for the summit so after a break at the Crest headed back down with Shin,Norma R,Frank A.and Tracie...Great weather, very soft snow...


2nd picture is from the Lone Pine Film History Museum, Rosies grandfather..

Pictures 5-20 are from a Friday afternoon hike to Lone Pine Lake with Norma R. and Frank A.

Main Trail 10-8-11

mark

Nice pictures, Mark. Thanks for sharing.

Looks like everyone had a good day. The snow sure makes things pretty.

Here's picture #64, of the cables. That storm sure dumped!


And picture #57, the trail near Trail Crest:

Cables look filled with fluffy appearing snow.Might become slick and frozen with this weeks heat from the High Pressure ridge moving in. Any chance for full a melt out?

Exactly what I wanted to see!
People at or past Trail Camp!

Whew! I want to try the snow chute!

This is gonna be great! Thanks so much for the report and pics!
Leaving todaaaaay! Can't sleep!

the traverse looks pretty scary. how do you assess the avalanche risk in such sections?

hydrae...the snow was very soft all day but sure footing along the way, there were alot of people doing the switchbacks Saturday, making a nice path on way down..I wore mirco spikes all day until we got to trail camp on way down,then took them off..Was off the trail at 6pm..Soft snow can make for slippery conditions on way down but had no problems..

mark

Mark, what time did you leave the portal area?

Hit old trail by the pond at portal at 3:15am, trail camp 7:40, trail crest 11:30...

mark