Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Question regarding Mt Whitney Conditions

I was checking the Inyo National Forest Website for Mt Whitney conditions and noticed the following message:

"The Mount Whitney Trail is open from Whitney Portal up to the summit of Mt. Whitney. However, the lower portion between Lone Pine Campground and Whitney Portal is closed due to the Inyo Creek Fire."

Q. Does this mean that the road to Whitney Portal is not closed? If so, does any one have a timeline on when it will be opened? My permit is for 09/23/21.

Q. I wanted to know if the itinerary that I have to mention in my overnight permit is flexible? What if we are not able to make it to the campsites mentioned in the itinerary and want to camp at an earlier campsite?

Thank You,
Raj

I drove up to Whitney Portal Store last week, no problem. the fire evidence was seen, but long out. So unless there is another one, its okay. Websites are often far out of date.

It is flexible. Naming where you plan to camp is only for documentation in case you are reported missing. It's purpose is to give search and rescue people an idea where to start looking. Rangers do not check that you are camping in the location stated.