I will be visiting Whitney in July: meeting my group at Horseshoe Meadows campground, where I will camp the night before. I've never been to California before so any local information, tips, and suggestions welcome. Thanks!
How are you getting to Horseshoe? It is a good distance from Lone Pine, where the nearest long term parking will be. Are you hiking from Horseshoe, or just acclimating there?
Renting a car from the Vegas airport and driving over. Acclimating at Horseshoe Meadows, then the next day meeting my group. After looking at more detailed itinerary, I park at the nearby (hopefully), Cottonwood Pack Station parking lot. Any suggestions?
I have left my car for a week at Horseshoe Meadows last 2 years in a row, no problem. Had plenty of spaces near trailhead, even in high season, pardon the pun.
Where are you hiking from? Are just acclimating at Horseshoe or climbing Whitney from there?
Taking the long route (6 days RT) from Horseshoe Meadows, to ChickenSprings Lake, to Lower Rock Creek, to Guitar Lake, to summit. Return via a similar route.
Oh, cool, then Harvey's advice is right on: you'll be able to leave the car at HM. Not much time to acclimate. Are you starting the next day when your friends arrive, or do they get a day too? Are they coming from sea level? You all may want to consider a Diamox regimen with so little time to acclimate.
The nice part about hiking out of HM is that hikers spend the next couple of days hiking at 10k elevation. So without going higher, they get a good dose of acclimatization before finally climbing Whitney.
But good idea about Diamox. I always use it for several days if I am going to be at or above 10k.
My pharmacist daughter has already supplied me the the Daimox!
She took me on my first 14'er trip (Mt. Elbert), last July. Zero time to acclimate so the RX was essential. I took it and she didn't. Guess who felt better at 13K - 14K feet? lol
I hike out of Horseshoe Meadows 2 to 3 times a year. Normally, my hikes are down to the Kern, making a full circle by picking up the JMT at Wallace Creek.
My car has been there up to 9 days with no problems.
Are you going with someone that has hiked this trail before? I don't like to give advice if you are going with someone with knowledge of the area.
However, keep in mind that there is no water between Chicken Springs Lake and Rock Creek, maybe 7 to 8 miles.
paul
Thanks for the heads up Paul. Not being from the area, all info is helpful. I will be going with an outfitter group, Rock Creek Pack Station.
You're in good hands.....over the years I have met many groups hiking Whitney the way that you are doing it.
If I understand correctly, you hike with a day pack and the outfitter brings the rest of gear and sets up camp and breaks camp each day.
On the day before you climb Whitney, you hike to Guitar, the outfitter sets up camp and upon your return, the outfitter has taken the camp down and set up camp in Lower Crabtree Meadow. Correct, or something like that.
By the way, how many people going? And, if I am not prying, what is the cost?
Good luck
paul
If that is the way you are doing it, that's really cool!
It allows people to hike into the back country who don't really have the gear or the desire to haul it all themselves. I hope you have a great time!
Shirley, is there a website that gives more specific info on your trip?