Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion July 2018 storms

Inyo County Sheriff's Office posted pictures today on FB. They are opening access for people to recover their vehicles only. No other access will be allowed.
The slide is here on Google Maps.

There has been a slide reported on the Paiute Pass trail, as well, from the storms several days ago.

Are there any details on the Paiute Pass trail washout? (Where, how big, if you can get around it)?

I realize my trip for a couple weeks from now is likely cancelled due to the road. But would love to know about trail conditions if a miracle were to occur and they get the road cleaned up.

I think there's a good chance this could be open in a couple weeks. Its not that big of a slide and it looks like they won't have to do any major stabilization, but I'm just an engineer looking at pictures. More heavy rain could trigger more problems, who knows, and Caltrans is probably a bit overwhelmed right now. And apparently there are a couple smaller slides in the area to clean up also.

Inyo Rangers are reporting a slide on the Pine Creek Trail, but I don't see any slide posted on Paiute Pass. Landslides, rockfalls, sinkholes, hard to track it all.

The Paiute Pass slide I read about had covered part of the trail, but the person reporting it said they could carefully pick their way across it.

Ok Steve, now what? My plane leave next Tuesday and all shuttle arrangements have been made to get me to the Piute Pass TH. Will they reissue me a permit for Pine Creek Pass if I come out there? I really wanted to see that part of the trail and not really interested in dropping in farther down the trail. It appears Pine Creek TH is not that much farther out of Bishop. Any thoughts?

The road should be open by the middle of next week. If, not, the shuttle can probably drop you off down the road from the North Lake road junction (the approach to the Piute Pass trailhead), and it is an easy walk up the road (about one mile) to the trailhead. People have walked out through the slide area, so getting through it shouldn't be a problem.

An alternative is: a trail from Cardinal Village resort that actually goes around the tail-end of the slide and puts you on the North Lake road. If you really have to take this option, call Cardinal Village Resort in Bishop, CA, and double check the conditions of that trail. Some reports indicate this little trail is not passable.

From local media yesterday: https://www.sierrawave.net/heavy-work-being-done-to-clear-mudslide-on-state-route-168/

The Pine Creek trail will also get you to the JMT, but is much longer and is a hot hike in direct sun-light.

When all else fails call the White Mountain Ranger station at 760-873-2400. They will have the latest information.

I am offering this as a local who practically "lives" on those trails and roads; it's my "backyard". Don't worry.

And no, Steve, I'm not back on a permanent basis, just occasional help-outs. No arguments.

Thanks for the information. I read in the sheriffs report that they have also closed the trailhead. In 16 when I made my first trip out there a fire closed Horseshoe Meadows 2 days before we left. The plan was to leave the car there. Things worked out but we did not see as much as first planned as we went out over trail crest.

Bob, Help out whenever you can. It is sure appreciated. It sounds like the trail head should be accessible via that alternate trail.

pcieluch: My car was stuck behind the line on that Horseshoe fire two years ago. I hurried out my last day, and the last people driving up before the road closure refused to share their one extra seat. So I didn't get my car back for a week, had to take ESTA and hitch hike home.

I am off tonight to a west side trail head - Marvin Pass. Have Triple Divide in my sites.

Any update on the progress clearing the road?

My husband called the wilderness office just within the past hour, and they said that the road and trailheads will open as of 8pm tonight, and remain open (barring any further mudslides/rockslides).

I’ve been climbing like a fiend since late May. I've seen some black clouds and heard some thunder, but I haven't felt a single drop of rain. I also haven't seen any significant trail or road damage. I have no idea how I've been so lucky!