Decided to give Whitney a go this past weekend. I started up the main trail at 0345 and was back to my truck at 1630. Patchy snow from 9600' to 11,000'. From there (just above Mirror Lake) it was consistent snow to the summit.

I stayed the course of the summer trail to trail camp on the way up and took the the snowy route back to Trailside Meadow on the way down. From Trail Camp I went up the chute to Trail Crest. As far as I know, nobody took the 99 switchbacks, too much ice at the cable section. I started up the chute at 0715 and it was nice and firm, coming down was soft and post holy.

There is a nice boot track to the summit. No snow shoes required, but crampons and ice axe are a must (there were a few people up there without either, taking a mighty risk in my opionion).

Here are some photos:

Above Trailside Meadow


Trail Camp (Campsites all had snow in them, bring a shovel)


View From Trail Camp


The Chute From Trail Camp To Trail Crest




Million Dollar View From Trail Crest




Mt. Brewer and Friends


Iceberg Lake


Looking South From the Summit




On the summit for the 24th time






Good View Of The Switchbacks and Chute

Beautiful pictures. Thanks so much for the trail report!

What are thoughts around summiting with Kahtoola Micro Spikes and Mountain Axe? Safe or suicide mission? Heading up in couple weeks, I have axe and crampons whereas friend has axe and micro-spikes. Friend has solid hiking and backcountry snowboarding/hiking experience. Doesn't want to buy crampons at this point if not necessary. I have Kahtoolas as well and find them to be bomber. Welcome your 2 cents..

I live in Alaska, have never tried Whitney in the winter, but the slope looks very similar to many slopes I do here always using Kahtoolas. I love them. Part of the answer may depend on the proficient use of the ice axe. I also love hiking with my ice axe and always regret the switch of season to trekking poles. I'm interested in the answers you will get here.

Pictures can never tell the full story of the slope of a snow trail. Does this trail require kick stepping? Are rocks present on the slope if a hiker were to fall and start a slide before self arrest?

Calicokat did write, "crampons and ice axe are a must (there were a few people up there without either, taking a mighty risk in my opinion)."

So apparently some people are going anyway. Unfortunately, they are the ones who get into real trouble if the snow ices up in the freeze/thaw/freeze cycles.

I am new to the site. Is there something special I need to do to see the pictures? I see the headers but no pictures. Heading up next week and would really love to see these pictures. Thanks for any suggestions you can provide.

You can see them all at www.calicokat.smugmug.com/hiking

Meowmix, welcome to whitneyzone.

I am guessing you may be connecting through work, and they might have a block on anything from smugmug.com, but they don't block anything from this site. If that is the case, when you view this site from home, you will probably see the pictures. (The text is stored on the whitneyzone.com server, but Calicokat's pictures are coming from his smugmug site.)

...or the internet had a bad connection to the Smugmug server when you were trying to view this thread.

Can you see any of the pictures in the Current Conditions page? Some of those are on Smugmug and some on Flickr.

I have been searching for recent trip reports and stumbled upon yours. Thanks so much for the report. Crampons and an ice axe will definately be present with me next week. Thanks again!

I am so busted...yes I am at work so I am sure it was blocked. I will check this evening. Thanks much!

Oh and yes I can see the pictures at the current conditions page.

Those are amazing photos! Thanks for sharing. It was exactly what I needed to see so I know what to expect next week.

Meowmix, what dates are you heading up? i'm going next week too... entry date 05/17

vcpilot79 - we will miss you by a couple of days. Will be there 5/13-5/15. I will do my best to get a trip report w/pic's posted in this forum on 5/16. Have a safe and enjoyable journey!

Meowmix - thank you! have a great journey as well!

Hi calicokat. I am new to this forum (just registered), so i hope this message is posted.

Firstly, thanks for sharing your trip and the photos, and your round trip start and finish times. Do you recall what time you arrived to Trail crest on this most recent trip? And do you recall what time you arrived to Whitney summit?

Thanks

Just curious what will temperatures drop to at night, wasn't really sure what to expect. I've been seeing forecast saying around 27f for most nights next week for trail camp but wasn't sure if I should expect it to be colder.

It took me an hour and a half to top out at Trail Crest. After a lengthy break it took another hour and a half to the summit

OK Thanks. That is fast!

This is helpful! I think I should plan a more conservative day hike to Whitney, by starting at 2:30 AM this Memorial day.

BTW - Do you recall if Consultation lake was froze or not at 7:15 AM? I am just trying to plan ahead as to where to fill up. I saw some posts saying to grab water at Mirror lake, and others saying there are streams flowing to consultation lake - so there is water to grab at 12,000 ft.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks

Have a great hike!

As far as what I saw, there wasn't any flowing water above Mirror Lake. But that was a week ago already, things will be very different by Memorial Day.

Do you think there still be snow by June 13....if so do you know any good store in Long Beach area where they sell gear to hike in snow/ice ?

jc, a month from now people will be hiking the switchbacks past the cables. I doubt any snow gear will be necessary.

OK. Thanks again

Hi jc9922 - By snow gear if you mean crampons, you also have the option of renting crampons, some REI locations rent Kahtoola crampons for $12 a day ($10 second and each consecutive day). I would always carry a pair. From all the reports that I have seen, despite the drought and warm weather, everything above 12,000 is frozen in early/mid morning when most people ascend.

Have a great hike!

Kevin G, This site is a good reference for the mountain weather:

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Whitney/forecasts/4418