Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion White Mountain/Boundary Peak area conditions

Hey all,

Given the above average snowfall and huge current snowpack in the Sierras, but also recognizing the Whites are effectively in the rain shadow of the Sierras, does anyone know current snow conditions around the Boundary Peak area or if not, what to expect in 3-4 weeks? I am assuming full snow coverage and limited road access (from the Northern entrance).

No direct info. But I recall a snowmobile trip to White Mountain a few years ago (3-14-2010) and while the snow was light, there was one slope on the leeward side of the prevailing winds, that had deep, completely unconsolidated snow. Some of it was thigh deep, nearly impossible to move around in.

Being it will be mid-April, you will find quite a bit of snow, but it should be consolidating and melting by then. I think I'd take snowshoes just in case.

Which side are you planning to use, east or west? I've done it from the west.

Interested to know what you are referring to as the huge current snowpack. Aside from Mammoth and Gem Passes, average snowpack is around 140% of average, like 2011. Assumptions based on last months record pace may not longer be warrated: lotta melt.

Thanks, all, I'm planning on potentially the east side again.

Hi, Rob! Here is one data point that may or may not be very relevant: I did Boundary in March 1996. With a 4WD pickup and chains, I couldn’t quite get to the usual trailhead from the east. I skied up above 12,000’ and set up a bivy. The next morning, I hiked up, saw a flock of bighorn sheep right on the summit, hiked back to camp, and skied out. 208 nicely linked turns before I ran out of snow. All the snow around my truck had melted by the time I got there.

I attempted Boundary from the east once in late winter. Got up to the trailhead, and found a few inches of snow in the last mile or so. As I was getting my pack ready, I noticed there were lots of tracks around - not mule deer tracks, as I'd spooked several on the way up - but mountain lion tracks. So ... since there was an area of trees I needed to pass nearby, and I was hiking solo, I quickly decided to save the hike for another day. Didn't get around to actually hiking Boundary until I moved back to the east coast, and one of my friends was a highpointer who wanted some company. In June of 2014 we did it a couple of days before doing Whitney (again).