Does anyone know if it's okay to climb the Mountaineers route at this time? I understand that the public areas are closed and that all permits have been cancelled, but the Inyo National forest site says that the trail heads are open? If anyone could offer some insight I would be very appreciative>
You are required to have a permit to climb above Lower Boy Scout Lake -- either a Whitney Zone Day Use or an overnight North Fork Lone Pine Creek permit. But you can't get the permits since the Visitor Center is closed.
You are required to have a permit to climb above Lower Boy Scout Lake -- either a Whitney Zone Day Use or an overnight North Fork Lone Pine Creek permit. But you can't get the permits since the Visitor Center is closed.
Does that mean that you can legally hike to Lone Pine Lake and Lower Boy Scout Lake starting from today even if the gate on Whitney Portal Road is closed?
I think the answer is "yes", but it'll be nice to confirm. I'm also wondering if that gate is open or not. This site says that it's closed, but it may not have the latest info since it also states that both highways 4 & 108 are closed, which is not the case:
https://www.sierrawave.net/state-of-inyo-may15-2020/https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/i...des-sonora-pass
Might be some avvy danger up there if they get snow over the enxt few days and then warming temps?
True on the avalanche warning.
> Does that mean that you can legally hike to Lone Pine Lake and Lower Boy Scout Lake starting from today even if the gate on Whitney Portal Road is closed?
I believe it does. Every Inyo announcement I've seen always says the trails are open. That means you can day hike anywhere a permit is not required, which includes LP and LBS lakes.
I would also like to know about the gate. Maybe we can make a phone call on Monday.
Great news that Horseshoe Meadow road is open. Last I saw was something like it would be closed until mid-June.
You can climb it as long as you don't get caught.
The avalanche danger next week is real though.
I'd definitely call ahead about that gate though. That hike from the valley to Whitney Portal adds an extra day onto the festivities, which means more food.
One way around the gate is to use an electric or gas-powered bike or scooter to blaze (relatively speaking) up the road to the trailhead. Stash it up there then ride it back down when you're done.
Where there's a will, there's a way.