I am staying at the Portal on June 25th and 26th, hiking the mountain from the 27th-29th, and then sleeping at the Portal or nearby on the 29th.
I do not have to be back in Boston untill July 5th. Any recommendations on what to do, where to go. Money is an issue so I would like to keep costs down. This will be my first trip to California.
You might also want to consider spending the night of the 25th or the day of the 26th at Horseshoe Meadows. It is approx. 30 minute drive from the portal, and is the trail head for for several day hikes. It is also higher than the portal, so might help with your acclimatization. See: http://www.summitpost.org/horseshoe-meadow/638467 for more information.
If you get to Tioga Road, then Whoa Nellie Deli is a must, isn't it?
My truck goes to the Whoa Nellie Deli all by itself no matter which way I'm headed from Lee Vining. Gotta feed the horses before heading up the hill. Best tri-tip salad in the world, ribs, and many other great fixins.
I didn't see anyone mention Mammoth. Best night life in the Eastern Sierra. Hot springs. Devil's Postpile. More hikes, fly fishing. Rent a mountain bike.
I am staying at the Portal on June 25th and 26th, hiking the mountain from the 27th-29th, and then sleeping at the Portal or nearby on the 29th.
I do not have to be back in Boston untill July 5th. Any recommendations on what to do, where to go. Money is an issue so I would like to keep costs down. This will be my first trip to California.
Any suggestions?
You have six more days, and you are coming out on the 29th??? Keep going, man, see a little of the JMT north of Whitney and come out Sheperd or Kearsarge, or go south on the PCT and come out Cottonwood or Army/New Army. Easy hitches back to Lone Pine from any of these.
I am flying in to Vegas just for the Death Valley drive. Not sure where I will be flying out from. Depends on what and where I end up after the climb.
If you are that flexible, could you rent a car in Vegas and drop it in Reno, NV, and fly home from there?
The Hwy 395 north of Lone Pine is one of the prettiest drives to do. It is parallel with the Sierra, and you could do side trips: Devils Postpile would take half a day. You could make it in/out of Yosemite for a one-day visit. Yosemite Valley is a 2-hour (one-way) drive from the 395. Bodie ghost town would take part of a day or more. Farther north, see Lake Tahoe if you have time -- ask Bob Pickering for the best place to see it, he's in Reno.
As you are seeing, there are ENDLESS possibilities on Hwy 395. Since you live so far away, I would expect you would want to capture as much of the Sierras as possible. If you are hitting Death Valley, why not camp at Mahogoney Flats and hike Telescope Peak (good acclimation)? Climbing Whitney is quite an accomplishment, but as others have said, why not take the JMT to Kearsarge Pass (Onion Valley)? The Rae Lakes could be on your list, or hikes out of Big Pine or Bishop (South Lake, North Lake, Sabrina Lake), there are hikes out of Mammoth and all the way to Yosemite (not that far from Lone Pine). Why not hike the Panorama Trail from Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley and back to the Valley (Yosemite is a zoo until you get out of the Valley)? You need more time off!