Not only did it effect the trail and campgrounds up at mt. Every effort will be made by all parties involved to have the road open by this date. I was able to drive up the newly finished whitney portal road to whitney portal the day it was opened. Mount whitney trail lone pine 2020 all you need to know. At whitney portal, there is a close view of mount whitney. Bears do frequent the area so be sure to store all food in the bearproof lockers. Drive up whitney portal road to whitney portal youtube. There is a ranger station in lone pine you should stop by and get a parking permit. Is there something at the end of whitney portal road besides a parking lot for hikers. Whitney and the john muir wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, rv, and tent campers who wish to explore the areas activities and. Its located miles from the town of lone pine off of whitney portal road.
Please feel free to post pictures of your own or from any source please. As long as whitney portal road is open, so is the store. Jun 19, 2019 driving mt whitney portal road from lone pine ca inyo national forest, eastern sierra nevada mountains, mt whitney is the highest peak in the continental united states 3 jun 2019. The same conditions are forecast today and are of concern today, according to firefighters. The hike to get there on the main whitney trail is 22 miles with 6,000 feet of elevation gain. For day hikes you can self register at the trailhead sign in station. Whatever you are, theres a spot for you at whitney portal family campground. Due to covid19 measures, whitney portal road is closed.
Mt whitney trail condition reports from the folks who live and work on the mountain. Their major work project was construction of the whitney portal road and improvement of the trail to the 14,495 summit of mount whitney. Oct 24, 2016 i was able to drive up the newly finished whitney portal road to whitney portal the day it was opened. The whitney portal store, located miles west of lone pine, lies next to the mount whitney trail head and has operated by permit from the inyo national forest since 1987. Inyo county has now opened the road to whitney portal. The mount whitney trail requires a pass to hike due to the over excessive use so there are. Know whats coming with accuweather s extended daily forecasts for whitney portal, ca. The store has been run by the thompson family from lone pine for decades, and they have enough stories to fill a book, which they have. When entering the parking area, pay close attention to the signs. Lone pine creek campground is just 6 miles down the road from whitney portal and 43 campsites. Theres a lobby area for others to gather and a store if youve forgotten something, or need a souvenir.
Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The whitney portal road often opens by may 1st, conditions permitting, and that is also the beginning of the mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental united states. The whitney portal is miles west of lone pine, ca, at the end of whitney portal road. Above average temperatures are expected across the western third of the u. They are doing a lot of construction on the portal road so i wouldnt bet on being able to park on the curb. Store is closed during winter months weather permitting. We suggest may or september, as the months just before or after could put you into a snowstorm as we climb towards the top of this dead end climb that tops out at 8,371. Jun 16, 2017 hiking the whitney portal road taking the slow lane. Whitney portal, ca three day weather forecast accuweather. Supertopos climbing discussion forum is the worlds most popular community discussion forum for people who actively climb outdoors. My travel companion julia and i wanted to visit the whitney portal today because it had been years since our last trip to this place. The whitney portal road is closed due to snow in the winter, which. Trails from whitney portal provide access to the john muir wilderness and sequoia national park.
Too many inexperienced people are climbing whitney outside. Thought you guys would enjoy the views of the road. Either way, your shopping cart will be active until you leave the store. Road construction will not begin until after the permitting process is complete. As i mentioned earlier, the mount whitney portal stores message board offers the most up to date information on weather and trail conditions from hikers themselves. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from june until november. Mar 18, 2020 alabama hills alta peak apple valley crags auburn cliffs bear creek spire benton crossing big rock area big sur bishop peak black mountain black mountain box springs mountain park brickyard buttermilks cabrillo peak castle rock state park cathedral peak cathedral peak santa barabara charlotte dome clark canyon clyde minaret columbia conejo. At 14,505 feet, its the highest point in the lower 48. We invite you to browse through our store and shop with confidence. It takes me a bit to realize that im now ascending the switchbacks that id seen far below. Mt whitney trailhead hiking, backpacking, and climbing.
Attention shoppers, not all of our tshirt colors and sizes are. Whitney portal road is a short but spectacular drive that takes you about. Oct 17, 2019 the whitney portal store is a great place to stock up on gear and souvenirs and to get an outstanding view of mount whitney trail and peak. Inyo national forest recreation usda forest service. The road to the summit was built in 1936 by civilian conservation corps. Driving mt whitney portal road from lone pine ca 3 jun 2019. From the town of lone pine on highway 395, head west on the whitney portal road. Mount whitney hike via whitney portal outdoor project. Permits are required year round for camping and there is a limit. Whitney portal is the gateway to mount whitney, the highest point in the contiguous united states. At the whitney portal hostel we strive to accommodate the needs of hikers, fisherman, and enthusiasts alike that have their eyes set on mt. Whitney portal national recreation trail california wilderness.
Road construction during the summer of 2016 may result in traffic delays on upper whitney portal road. The fire is not threatening human life, or property at this time, but the whitney portal road to the trailhead to mt whitney is closed and anyone with a permit to hike whitney today, july 9. Colton l apr 30, 2018 colorado joined apr 2016 points. Up to 90 days of daily highs, lows, and precipitation chances. Some may be reserved in advance, but others are only yours on a firstcome, firstserved basis.
Thinking of climbing there in a couple weeks never been, and curious about road and snow conditions. Day hikers going beyond require a dayuse permit, obtained from the mount whitney ranger station in lone pine. Take the whitney portal road west from the stop light in the center of lone pine waypoint lonpin. Whitney trailhead, the whitney portal store serves up huge pancakes bigger than the plate as fuel for those seeking to bag the highest peak in the lower 48. Weather and road conditions can change in an instant. Inyo county has now opened the road to whitney portal but. The average high temperatures for the summer time frame are 92 f in june, 98 f in july, and 96 f in august.
Please check with the forest page for more information. The fire is not threatening human life, or property at this time, but the whitney portal road to the trailhead to mt whitney is closed and anyone with a permit to hike whitney today, july 9, will not be able to do so at least today. You can see the peak from lone pine, and whitney portal road heading west out of town is the access point for hiking trips. The whitney portal store is a great place to stock up on gear and souvenirs and to get an outstanding view of mount whitney trail and peak. Before you even leave the whitney portal trailhead, theres a huge photo of a. This is a great place to find information on where to get water, learn tips from veteran whitney hikers, and find out just how difficult it really is to finish a pancake from the. Summiting mt whitney is on every hikers bucket list. Take us 395 to lone pine and then turn west on whitney portal road from the town. First called fishermans peak after the group of fishermen that reached the summit in 1873, californias mount whitney stands at 14,505 feet and is the highest summit in the contiguous united states. Exactly where we start hiking depends upon the road closure which may be well below the regular parking at whitney portal. Driving mt whitney portal road from lone pine ca 3 jun. Jun 03, 2016 road construction during the summer of 2016 may result in traffic delays on upper whitney portal road. By 1936 four barracks, a mess hall, a library and an officer quarters were constructed at the site of the present lone pine campground. Hiking the whitney portal road taking the slow lane.
Fresno, ca i saw doug from the whitney portal hostel wrote yesterday that fire crews were burning piles of wood this week. It is in a heavily wooded canyon, with towering granite cliffs on either side. Whitney portal store summer hours may 9am6pm june 8am8pm july 7am9pm august 7am9pm september 8am8pm october 9am6pm. Yes, on lots that border the development other than along whitney portal road. Get directions, maps, and traffic for whitney portal, ca. Also get info on road conditions for the whitney portal road leading up to the trailhead. Yes, on all lots except 19, that are restricted to singlestory for viewshed reasons. Whitney portal road, a mountain drive in the sierra nevada.
View photos on as well as details, price history, local schools and mortgage information. That probably means they are using the road at least up to the campground area. Above the east end of the switchback two buttresses can be seen there is a gully with trees between the two buttresses. After introductions well do a pack check and distribute group gear before carpooling to the road closure, some 20 minutes out of town. The mt whitney trailhead is actually better known as the whitney portal, and outside of a few main starting points in yosemite and sequoia national parks, it is probably the busiest trailhead in all the sierra nevada. We invite you to create an account with us if you like, or shop as a guest. At the store, we keep last minute supplies for hiking, camping, fishing, and related items for the portal visitors. Mount whitney trail lone pine 2020 all you need to. This is a big project, it includes all of whitney portal road from the city limit at lone pine to the overflow parking lot at the portal.
Hiking mountain whitney requires a valid overnight permit or dayuse permit year round and it must be reserved in advance. The area includes 3 campgrounds, a picnic area, fishing pond and a stream. The road is currently gated just above hogback road on whitney portal road to prevent vehicle entrance. Thousands enjoy hiking mount whitney each year for premiere serra nevada views, whether on the lower trails on the mountains flanks or on one of the major approaches to the summit. Alabama hills alta peak apple valley crags auburn cliffs bear creek spire benton crossing big rock area big sur bishop peak black mountain black mountain box springs mountain park brickyard buttermilks cabrillo peak castle rock state park cathedral peak cathedral peak santa barabara charlotte dome clark canyon clyde minaret columbia conejo.
Road to whitney portal by bascuela fri oct 23, 2009 3. The whitney portal access road is now closed two and a half miles before the trailhead making the approach a total of 5 miles longer. Contact the inyo national forest at 760 8766200 for the latest information about road and trail conditions. Some areas are for day use, and others are for overnight backpackers.
Whitney portal formerly, hunter flat and hunters camp is the end of the whitney portal road in inyo county, california. The lot does fill up pretty quick, so the earlier you get up there the more likely you are to get a spot. Always check with the managing agency before embarking on a trip. Outdoor recreation in the area includes fishing, picnicking, hikingbackpacking, horseback riding, stargazing and wildlife viewing. The mt whitney trail starts from roads end waypoint portal at 8. Huge pancakes are served up at the whitney portal store. The weather was perfect and we started our ascent early that morning. Whitney portal national recreation trail california.
While the construction is in the lower sections, the delay to pass through the site will be the main issue. Sunny and clear for the next seven days on mt whitney. Still farther ahead, whitney portal road reaches a line of scrubby juniper and pinyon pine trees and continues to climb. Driving mt whitney portal road from lone pine ca inyo national forest, eastern sierra nevada mountains, mt whitney is the highest peak in the continental united states 3 jun 2019. Get your 3day weather forecast for whitney portal, ca. Whitney portal campgrounds recreation resource management. This thread is designed to hold posts displaying pictures and describing the current conditions of the main mount whitney trail mmwt.
Whitney portal road construction 2016 high sierra topix. In fact it might just take a day to get to the parking area. Jul 09, 2018 the same conditions are forecast today and are of concern today, according to firefighters. Whitney portal campground is in a prime location within the eastern sierra nevada mountains at the base of mt. Whitney portal road is closed during the winter, though it is a fuzzy closure in the sense that the road is not usually gated or otherwise physically blocked. Whitney,but it flooded the whitney portal road leading down to lone pinea popular fishing spot called red dog bridge,3 miles west of lone pine,going up whitney portal road has been all but wiped out by the flood waters,and surely lots of flood damage to the leased cabins along the creek,and the dirt roads leading to them. Whitney, but being in town, it allots for walking to restaurants and stores.
Whitney has turned into an overcrowded catastrophe. Latest trail conditions as of january 2nd the mt whitney trail is snow filled from top to bottom. Jun, 2008 this is a big project, it includes all of whitney portal road from the city limit at lone pine to the overflow parking lot at the portal. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. Mount whitney portal to lone pine lake california alltrails. The mount whitney portal hostel and hotel located in lone pine is a great place for people to stay. Whitney ranger district are not cleared of snow or rock fall in winter. Whitney portal road campgrounds interstellar orchard.