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Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #53728 06/28/18 09:16 PM
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Amazing. Thank you for posting, any news about the area around trail crest that had a lot of snow as well?

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #53730 06/29/18 07:30 AM
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Hello
We were 3 people that went up the mountain yesterday, 6/28.
1. Update on snow at the cables: its clear and not a hazard anymore smile. You can easily walk up and down on one side on solid rock (going up, cables on right). I would guess the remaining snow on this section will be all clear in next 10 days max.
2. absolutely no snow anywhere, ex small parts where you have no real exposure or risk of fall. So you definitely don't need spikes.
3. Given the low snow-pack, what surprised us was the amount of water still on the trail. The usual approach to Outpost had decent water and very surprisingly decent amount of water coming down the switchbacks, till the cables, so about midway. This is nothing you need to worry about but just need to be more alert. This should hopefully stop soon, but if you reach switchbacks pre-7am then expect this water to be frozen, so need to be a little alert going up. Coming down by 11am everything melts.
4. Hiking poles are a blessing and their use can keep your feet dry through the whole trip.

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
rdev #53731 06/29/18 08:22 AM
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Thank you for your post. I am so relived that the snow has melted. I am hiking Whitney for the first time (day hike) and never used an ice axe etc so was worried. You have put my mind to rest. Will take hiking poles. Never used those either but will be hiking the next two weeks with hiking poles to get used to it. Going on July 12th to hike Whitney.
Have a great weekend.

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Evelyn #53732 06/29/18 09:35 AM
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Hi Evelyn,
I'm relieved the snow has gone too! I'm doing a day hike on July 15th. Best of luck to you! smile

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
rdev #53733 06/29/18 12:10 PM
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This is amazing news, thank you so much for sharing! I'm headed up to camp at Outpost Tuesday, summit on Wednesday the Fourth of July!

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Kimmy #53734 06/29/18 12:17 PM
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Awesome!! Wish you all the best.

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #53735 06/29/18 03:25 PM
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Picture from June 28:


Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #53737 06/30/18 06:07 AM
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It has been 9 years since our last Whitney summit (number 5). I don't remember the cables being bent out as seen in the picture. When did that happen?

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
RichardK #53745 06/30/18 09:47 PM
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how are the temperatures going up lately? debating on what to wear exactly..

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
PatientFool #53751 07/01/18 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted By: PatientFool
how are the temperatures going up lately? debating on what to wear exactly..

On the Whitney Weather page (link above on the left), there is a
"Cottonwood Lakes, elev. 10150' 7-day Temperatures" link. It shows highs and lows there about 37 to 67 F. With temps dropping roughly 7F per 2k elevation, that puts Trail Camp at 30 and 60, and the summit at 23 and 53. These, of course, are rough estimates, no prediction of what you will find.

I would look at the NOAA forecast pages for another good prediction (links also on the Whitney Weather Page. ) NOAA forecast puts summit highs at 55-59, lows 30-38.

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
PatientFool #53775 07/03/18 10:30 AM
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Hey hikers my girlfriend and I left at 1:30 am in shorts and long sleeve hiking shirts on June 30th, needed gloves just past outpost, other than that it was sweet we left an american flag up there for all to share! Back to portal at 1:00 pm .

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
plumber #53779 07/03/18 04:10 PM
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smile

Last edited by SoCal Jim; 07/03/18 10:22 PM.
Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
SoCal Jim #53780 07/03/18 07:35 PM
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I love the American flag everywhere and anywhere and was happy to pose with it! Thanks for your service, SoCal Jim! 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #53801 07/06/18 08:48 AM
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We hiked Whitney on July 2nd and the cables were completely clear. The hike up was 8 hours 20 minutes and down about 6. I went through 4 liters of water as it was really warm. I would recommend starting no later than 2 am for a day hike. We hiked the last 2 1/2 miles in the rain (welcomed rain because we were nearly finished). The thunder I am sure lightning as well was terrifying to anyone above the tree line.

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Kendell #53810 07/08/18 10:14 PM
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Not sure everyone's aware but the #GeorgesFire has closed Whitney Portal Rd and I believe led to the evacuation of all hikers in the area

https://twitter.com/InyoInfo

Obviously putting out this fire and avoiding loss of life/land/etc is most important but how the fire moves and how fast it is contained will inform the likelihood of somewhat normal operations in the Whitney Portal this week and next.

Fire update link:  USFS official fire info

Wed, July 11: This just showed up, Wed, July 11, 12 noon:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5907/43913/
Quote:
Georges Fire Wildfire
Whitney Portal Road, Whitney Portal and Trailhead to Re-open

Shepherd Pass Trail also Re-opening

The Inyo National Forest is planning to re-open the Whitney Portal Road and access to the Mt. Whitney Trailhead at 6:00 pm today. The Shepherd Pass Trail is also re-opening.

The evacuation is also being lifted for the Whitney Portal area, including campgrounds, residents, and the Whitney Portal Store.

The opening is tentative and could change if unexpected fire behavior were to occur...


Last edited by Steve C; 07/11/18 12:05 PM. Reason: fire update
Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Dan R #53811 07/09/18 05:29 AM
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We have a permit for July 19-20 for Mt Whitney via the Whitney portal. Travelling from Tampa and would appreciate any updates on trail conditions and the wildfires. Thanks

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Dan R #53814 07/09/18 08:27 AM
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We have a permit for July 12th. Thank you for posting. I had no idea. Called the Whitney permit office and they confirmed they are closed today and to call tomorrow. It seems the fire is 2,000 acres and 0% contained. This is the second time I tried to go and both times it didn't happen. The first time, I tore a tendon and had a surgery and now a fire. Both valid reasons, so trusting in God and glad we found out now versus driving up there.

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Evelyn #53834 07/10/18 12:45 PM
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My guess is that the fire will not be an issue by then. For what that is worth.

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Wiff #53835 07/10/18 02:36 PM
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We are currently in Lone Pine and have spoken to forest service firefighters who told us the Whitney Portal road definitely will not open today. They said they are focusing their efforts on the area around the Whitney Portal in order to protect that area. From what is visible to us from the 395, the fire doesn't look that bad, and the active areas are North of Whitney Portal Road. Of course we can't see into the canyons, and there is a lot of activity, helicopters and firetrucks going into the onion valley road area between Lone Pine and Independence. We checked into the inter-agency visitor center and all Whitney permit holders for today have been automatically refunded. They are honoring permit holders within the next 7 days if the road reopens but at this point it doesn't look like it will today or tomorrow. They are very helpful and will look for alternate permits for you that are available so your trip isn't a total wash. There is no additional charge for another permit for a different trail if that's what you want to do. Alternatively, if you have a few days to spare, you can begin the trail in horseshoe meadows and hike about 15 miles to the junction, from there it is 8 miles to the summit of Whitney. You still need a permit for this however, and I believe it is a PCT permit which we were told you can get on line. Unfortunately we don't have time for a 4-5 day trip which is about how long that would take to do round-trip. Good luck to everyone who has plans in the next few days!

Re: Current Conditions: Mt Whitney Trail
Steve C #53836 07/10/18 03:44 PM
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Here's a blog from a gal who hiked out as the fire began. She talks about hiking down the 99 switchbacks in the thunderstorm. She passed about 20 pairs of abandoned hiking poles.

Golden State of Minds

Her blog covers...
AMS -- barfing several times on the way to the summit

  Being abandoned by her hiking "friends" -- they were waiting for her in their car at the trail head. (With their behavior, it's surprising they actually waited.)

  Meeting two bears at outpost camp

  Activating her InReach SOS due to the fire, and getting reports that it was ok to exit.

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