Hi everyone. I am planning a trip to lone pine with some friends next weekend (Apr2-4)
as a newbie to hiking and first-timer to the area, I have a few questions:

1. Planning a roundtrip day hike from trailhead to lone pine lake (which doesn't require permit from the search), is Mt. whitney trail open right now?
the usda website state the area is open (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20806), but the current weather on timberlinetrails.com website
state that the Whitney Portal access road is now closed (https://www.timberlinetrails.com/WhitneyWeather.html)

2. for hiking newbies, is it doable during this time of season? Is the trail covered by snow? Is altitude training and trekking poles required?

Thank you all.

hcy: The road has a closed gate several miles from the trail head. There may also be a "Road Closed" sign a few miles below that people drive around "at their own risk". You can probably reach the trailhead with an hour of walking the road.

You will encounter snow on the trail. Just not sure where, but probably patchy at least at the trailhead. Hiking poles and micro-spikes would be the best gear to take along. Gaiters might help. I am guessing the trail to Lone Pine Lake will be already somewhat traveled by people before you.

You shouldn't have any AMS/altitude issues, as Lone Pine lake is just below 10k elevation. Most altitude illness starts above 12k for average people.

If you go, it would be great if you brought back pictures, and reported what you found. Good luck and have fun!

Thank you Steve for the info and answers. I will probably save this trail for next time!