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Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
#58540 04/28/21 11:03 AM
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zoe Offline OP
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Does anyone have any extra space for 3 people (2 backpacking tents) at the Whitney Portal camp Memorial Day Weekend? By the time I got my lottery results the campground was all booked up! We're coming from OC so we were hoping to spend a few days at the higher altitude before beginning our overnight hike on Sunday. Let me know if we can squeeze in with you! 3 30 y.o. fit hikers (2 girls, 1 guy), one car! We'll bring beers to share!! And of course split the cost of the campsite.

Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
zoe #58541 04/28/21 04:17 PM
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There is the hike in backpackers camp at the portal that you don't need reservations for.

And Horseshoe Meadows has walk-in campsites that you don't need reservations for. It's at 10k so is even better to get used to the altitude.

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Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
WanderingJim #58581 05/05/21 08:39 AM
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WanderingJim — amazing!!! Thank you so much for the details. WAY better than my back up: camping down at Lone Pine, yeesh.

Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
zoe #58582 05/05/21 10:13 AM
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Let me add some additional information to Jim's posting.

The backpacker walkin sites are closed due to a major rock side last year. However, I think Jim maybe referring to the Ravine campground. The Ravine campground is located down from the overflow parking lot. You access the campground at the overflow parking lot. It is a walkin site built along the old road.

Below are some links: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20704 Notice at the top of the page, is says "Closed."

Here is a link to some info on the Ravine Campground: https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/california/whitney-ravine-walk-campground

A link to the Rock slide at the Portal last year: http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbth...ke-from-above-the-whitney-zone#Post57456 and here: http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/57479

I would call the Inyo Forest Service to verify that the Ravine is open.

Please be advised that parking will be atrocious Memorial Weekend.

Paul

Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
Paul #58586 05/05/21 02:46 PM
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Paul—thank you so much! We're staying down in Lone Pine Friday night when we arrive but will try to snag a spot at the Ravine or backpacker campground if they become available (will call ahead before our trip!)

How do you think we'll fare for parking early Saturday morning?

Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
Paul #58588 05/05/21 04:22 PM
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There is always parking, it depends how far down the road you may end up.

I believe you have a day hike permit, correct?

Actually, I will be up there the whole week prior to and leaving on Monday. As a family, my father started taking us up to the Portal since the early 50's And, back in 87, my brother and Doug who owns the Portal store both wanted to buy it. Doug won out, and it was the best. Doug is amazing.

Just a little more info on the Ravine. Most people are unaware that it exists. There are about 20 sites and I have never seen more than half a dozen or more people camped there. Now, having said that you do have to carry your stuff in and it is, as advertised one night only, but from my perspective, no one checks because it is rarely used.

You can access the Ravine either via the overflow parking lot, or the road. Just check it out and see, one, which is the best approach.

I will be up there memorial Weekend, at campsite 31.

I usually spend the week hiking at Onion Valley, Horseshoe Meadows and maybe Meysan lakes.

This will be my 57 year hiking in the Sierras.

Paul

Last edited by Paul; 05/05/21 04:22 PM.
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Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
Paul #58600 05/07/21 02:56 PM
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No, we're actually overnight starting Sunday, so we'll have all our backpacking gear. Sounds like the Ravine is a good choice for us!

Thanks so much for the details, you're an expert! Hope we cross paths.

Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
zoe #58607 05/08/21 09:29 AM
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Just one more comment. When do you plan on arriving? As I mentioned above, I have been going to the Portal every Memorial Weekend for 40 odd years.

As you know, there are 44 campsites. Roughly half are first come first serve. If you arrive by Wednesday, you have a good chance. Thursday, a little less and by Friday, all the sites are filled.

Paul

Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
Paul #58692 05/17/21 10:24 AM
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We'll arrive Friday night—leaving Orange County after work. I was actually able to nab a spot (site #22) at the Portal Campground for Friday night, I guess we'll have to wing it Saturday morning and see what we can get.

Last edited by zoe; 05/17/21 10:27 AM.
Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
zoe #58755 05/26/21 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by zoe
We'll arrive Friday night—leaving Orange County after work. I was actually able to nab a spot (site #22) at the Portal Campground for Friday night, I guess we'll have to wing it Saturday morning and see what we can get.

It DEFINITELY puts you at an advantage to already be there on Friday night. You can easily nab whatever MIGHT become available on Saturday morning. Of course, also keep checking rec.gov - even while you are up there (if you can get service). People cancel all the time, especially at the last minute. You may end up having to move one or more times. But at least you will have a place to stay.

Last edited by StorminMatt; 05/26/21 10:38 AM.
Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
zoe #58756 05/26/21 11:11 AM
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We just spent the night of 5/23 at Ravine campground which worked well. We showed up around 7pm on 5/23 and were able to grab 2 sites, there were about 5 available sites when we showed up.

To get to Ravine campground, just park in the hiker overflow lot directly in between the Whitney Family Campground and the Whitney Portal Campground. from there, walk down the trail to the East a few hundred feet. This walk is probably the most inconventient thing about the Ravine campground but it worked for us because we only stayed one night before our dayhike.

Re: Room for 3 more at Whitney Portal Camp 5/28 and 29??
Benc #58765 05/27/21 08:22 AM
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Thank you, Matt and Benc! Glad to hear the Ravine has been accessible. Feeling like that should work out nicely, keep your fingers crossed for us!


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