Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney in EARLY OCTOBER

Hi Everyone!
I won a Whitney lottery pass for Oct 6th, 2023, I plan on camping at outpost camp and hiking up to the summit on Oct 7th.
I was wondering if anyone who went last year around the same time can give me some of the hike and weather conditions during this time.
Any advice, suggestion, or information is graciously accepted.

I haven't accepted my reservation yet, so I'm contemplating whether I should try and grab a reservation in a "better" month if there are any available after April 22nd.

I've been to Whitney once but in May, maybe 5-6 years ago, but didn't make it to the summit because of the Chute (Switchbacks were frozen). So
I somewhat know the trail but not past the chute.

Best case, you could have beautiful warm days, cold nights, and no snow. Average case, you could have decent weather and maybe some patches of snow. Snow could be icy where others have packed it down. You’re not likely to need crampons or an ice axe. Worst case, you might have cold, windy weather and enough snow to be a real pain in the butt.

I summited Whitney Oct 1, 2022, after going over Kearsarge Pass on Sep 27. It was around 30 degrees above Guitar Lake the night before, but otherwise the weather was fine. There were cumulus clouds on Sep 27, but no rain. I was rained on near Mt Rose Nevada on Sep. 6. Rain (or snow) is probably more likely the later it gets. The trail down from Whitney was clear, except for a line of ice on the trail in the cable section coming down. I walked over rocks on the uphill side of the trail and avoided the ice. In heavier snow years, I suspect crampons and either a hiking stick or ice axe would be a good idea. The cables leaned out over the slope, so they didn't look usable as hand holds, but only to catch you if you were sliding off the trail onto the rocks. Good luck!

I just uploaded 2 photos: of the cables area, showing the rocky trail with a little ice and a thin layer of ice on a tarn above Guitar Lake that morning.
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbth...itney-trail-10-1-2022-incl-ice-at-cables

Summited as a day hike 10-26-18, 4” new snow on switch backs, strong breeze, high in 30’s. Boots/trekkers ok on ascent, sunset descent required minis from Trail Crest as temps dropped. October 1, 2022 climbed Lone Pine Pk (failed summit per 3 months post cancer radiation effects , partner successfully summited) and the weather was perfect with no wind, dry footing (horrifying barf chute). Late September attempts in 2016 (Langley) and in 2021 (Split) were both cold, windy conditions with dry footing…deduced hurricane force winds on top so summit attempts abandoned. White Mnt Mid September 2022 was cold (30’s) with strong breeze but manageable. Pretty much anytime after Labor Day has weather risks….and don’t get me started about monsoon season… so basically what Bob P. said. Pretty much you won’t know what to expect exactly, but early October has a much better chance than late October, and more available day light reduces night ops at high elevation. Good luck!

Outpost Camp is a good idea. I slept at Trail Camp on Halloween and the lake was too frozen to get water. Keep an eye on the night temps days/weeks prior to keep aware of your hydration options and plan accordingly.

Hi Penny! We just got awarded permits for October 12th, 2024 and are pondering the same question you had. Did you end up doing the hike on October 6th? If so, how was it, any and all detail would be much appreciated!