Posted by Marc Adamus on February 3, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Hi folks,
I'm planning a possible 2-week (or so) trip to the Bishop area in the coming month. I will likely be climbing into the Whitney, Palisades and White Mountain Bristlecone areas (yes, I know it's winter).
I'd like to hear some more information on specific road conditions in the area - if anyone has such information or could direct me to it that would be great. My questions are specificly in regards to the Whitney portal road and Glacier Lodge road, out of Big Pine. How far these roads are open and whether they are gated in Winter would be a big help. I know Whitney road is closed, but where? And I suspect there is a gate on Glacier Lodge road also. I need to know how far the approach will be.
Additionally, if anyone has visited the area recently (395), let me know about current snow conditions as much as possible. Specificly, where the snow-line is (elevation) and how much precipitation you have been recieving this year, so that I may plan to ski/snowshoe accordingly.
I think your best bet is to contact the USFS in Bishop and in Lone Pine. Snow levels and closure points have fluctuated this winter because of the goofy weather. In years when there wasn't much snow, I have been able to drive to Whitney Portal in early March.
I was in Big Pine at Glacier Lodge and at Whitney Portal last fall, but I don't remember where the gates are. I do know that one can park at the Lone Pine Campground (off of the Whitney Portal road) and hike a nice trail that begins there, up to the portal. Doing so will add some hours to a hike/snowshoe up Whitney. I do know that snow is not removed past Olivas Ranch Road which is a about two miles below the LP-CG.
Hopefully Cory Freeman, who lives in Bishop, will see this and help answer your questions, too.
Have a great time!
-PB
Posted by Richard Wong on February 4, 2007 at 1:40 AM
I don't know the answers, but I can't wait to see the photos!
Posted by Cory Freeman on February 4, 2007 at 11:11 AM
Hi Marc.
Right now there isn't much snow here in the sierra, way below what's considered average. As long has it hasn't dumped snow you can drive up to whitney portal. In the past there have only been a road sign and small traffic baricade that says "road closed". Most people just drive around and continue up. I believe the county plows all the way up to Glacier Lodge and that road stays open. However, that being said, the county will pave higher priorites first and I'm not sure where on the list that one falls.
Like PB mentioned, I'd call inyo forest service in Lone Pine and Bishop to get real time info.
As far as snow levels, not sure about whitney or big pine, but yesterday I was up Horton creek drainage above bishop and the snow started getting deep around 9700-10000 ft. level. Post holing in 12"+ as I got higher. We just got a storm last sunday that dropped that much here in the bishop area.
Rumor has it that the weather is supposed to finally change midweek and start to bring some wet storms our way. I'll believe it when I see it! So let me know just before you head out and I can give you more current info.
Have Fun and I look forward to seeing your images!
Posted by Marc Adamus on February 4, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Thanks a lot, Cory! You've been very helpful. I may leave as soon as next Monday, as to take advantage of new snow conditions, and I may stay as long as necessary to catch more opportunities with new snow - I love it! I was following the weather and hopefully the storms do start swinging more to the South, as they did the entire winter of 04/05 when I was down there last. If I can drive up Whitney portal and Glacier lodge, that would be a big time-saver on the approach. If not, that's fine too. I just wanted to make sure there wansn't a Winter Gate in place that prohibits all traffic for the season from entry at a certain point. I'm shocked that the snow isn't getting deep until 10,000 feet! Wow! It really has been dry down there this year!! Heck, I might not even need snowshoes to get into the White's. Have you ever done any winter hikes up there? I'm thinking about x-countrying it right out of the East side of Bishop (redding canyon road?) and saving myself a long approach on the closed summer road off 168.
Thanks for the links too. Very helpful. I'll be sure to make contracts down there on Monday and inquire further. Maybe we'll even have a chance to meet up when I'm down there? I may spend a day or two in the valley between hikes.
Marc: most of the Sierra is at about 30% of average snowfall.
I haven't hiked Redding Canyon, but be aware that it's quite a bit of elevation gain (6-7k) to get from the valley floor up onto the crest of the White's. Silver Canyon is another possible approach if you're wanting to get to the Patriarch Grove.
Posted by Marc Adamus on February 4, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Thanks Micheal. I'm now thinking Piute creek canyon might be the best route if I wanted to do the Patriarch grove. 6-7K is a loooonng day for sure. I'm also considering doing Silver Canyon up to Schulman grove. Has anyone been up to both groves? Any preferences?
Also, I heard you've climbed Lone Pine? Any favorite routes up that thing? What about Thor peak? Looked like a nice scramble with good views assuming snow conditions were cooperative.
Michael has raved about the East Ridge of LP peak. I've always wanted to do it...one day I will. It's a great route!
Thor Peak is a nice Class 3 from near East Face Lake on the North Fork of LP Creek. The summit blocks can be a little tricky, and the place is exposed. The view looking west over Pinnacle Ridge and up to Whitney, the Keeler Needles and Mount Russel is astounding!
I've been to Schulman several times. The 3-mile loop trail is wonderful: Great views and the trees are fabulous! I tried to get to Patriarch once (from Schulman), but it was windier than Oklahoma, cold to the bone (it was late October), and my (then) wife didn't want any part of it!
It sounds like a great trip!
-PB
Posted by Cory Freeman on February 5, 2007 at 9:57 AM
There is a seasonal locked gate on silver canyon rd and it's locked now, so I've heard. Unfortunately it's down pretty low. Not sure how far you can get via the traditional way out of Big Pine from the 168. USFS will know. Let me know if you want to get together when you're here. Email me off line for my contact info. Have a good trip!
P.S. great sunrise this morning!
Posted by Marc Adamus on February 5, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Cory, I'll be sure to do that. Preston - thanks for the beta. I'll put it to good use. That view from Thor peak does indeed look like it would be amazing!
Marc: Silver Canyon is a nice route up onto the crest of the White's. I ran into a small heard of bighorn on a Silver Canyon descent a few years back. I definitely prefer the Patriarch over Schulman. Other than the fact that the trees are bristlecone, Schulman looks like a relatively average Great Basin 'forest'. I'm sure you know what the Patriarch looks like. It's high and wild and looks not of this earth. Moreover, shortly past the Patriarch is the approach to White Mountain (one of Calif's 14'ers; I've seen a herd of 35+ bighorn near the summit!).
As for Lone Pine Peak, unless you're comfortable 3rd-classing exposed 5.4+ in winter conditions, I would only consider the pedestrian walkup on LPP. It's 2nd class from Meysan Lakes and is a helluva nasty slog in the summer (it's the down route!). You'll find all the scree frozen at this time, so the ascent will be much firmer. Make sure that you take the correct gully down from the summit plateau or you will end up cliffed out!
Posted by Marc Adamus on February 5, 2007 at 8:37 PM
Thanks for that additional info, MG. I had been wondering about LPP routes. While I've spent lots of time on 5.4 rock, I'm not doing it solo or in nasty winter conditions. This is nore of a photo trip for me - less serious climbing. The Meysan Lakes route looks too avalanche exposed, depending on snow conditions.
After some researching, I've decided to head for the Patriarch grove. Nothing like camping for a few February nights in high winds at 11,500 feet after a 7,000 foot approach! I think the harsh, Winter conditions will add an additional and necessary context to the images I intend to make of the Bristlecone pine. I recall Galen did the first winter traverse of the entire range almost 30 years ago to the day, taking 16 days to do it. And yes, if conditions are favorable I'll try to top out on White Mountain - no doubt an easy, allbeit extremely windy walk-up. Similar to my winter accent of Great Basin's Wheeler peak a few years back.
Discussion
11 repliesI'm planning a possible 2-week (or so) trip to the Bishop area in the coming month. I will likely be climbing into the Whitney, Palisades and White Mountain Bristlecone areas (yes, I know it's winter).
I'd like to hear some more information on specific road conditions in the area - if anyone has such information or could direct me to it that would be great. My questions are specificly in regards to the Whitney portal road and Glacier Lodge road, out of Big Pine. How far these roads are open and whether they are gated in Winter would be a big help. I know Whitney road is closed, but where? And I suspect there is a gate on Glacier Lodge road also. I need to know how far the approach will be.
Additionally, if anyone has visited the area recently (395), let me know about current snow conditions as much as possible. Specificly, where the snow-line is (elevation) and how much precipitation you have been recieving this year, so that I may plan to ski/snowshoe accordingly.
Thanks!
I think your best bet is to contact the USFS in Bishop and in Lone Pine. Snow levels and closure points have fluctuated this winter because of the goofy weather. In years when there wasn't much snow, I have been able to drive to Whitney Portal in early March.
I was in Big Pine at Glacier Lodge and at Whitney Portal last fall, but I don't remember where the gates are. I do know that one can park at the Lone Pine Campground (off of the Whitney Portal road) and hike a nice trail that begins there, up to the portal. Doing so will add some hours to a hike/snowshoe up Whitney. I do know that snow is not removed past Olivas Ranch Road which is a about two miles below the LP-CG.
Hopefully Cory Freeman, who lives in Bishop, will see this and help answer your questions, too.
Have a great time!
-PB
Right now there isn't much snow here in the sierra, way below what's considered average. As long has it hasn't dumped snow you can drive up to whitney portal. In the past there have only been a road sign and small traffic baricade that says "road closed". Most people just drive around and continue up. I believe the county plows all the way up to Glacier Lodge and that road stays open. However, that being said, the county will pave higher priorites first and I'm not sure where on the list that one falls.
Like PB mentioned, I'd call inyo forest service in Lone Pine and Bishop to get real time info.
As far as snow levels, not sure about whitney or big pine, but yesterday I was up Horton creek drainage above bishop and the snow started getting deep around 9700-10000 ft. level. Post holing in 12"+ as I got higher. We just got a storm last sunday that dropped that much here in the bishop area.
Rumor has it that the weather is supposed to finally change midweek and start to bring some wet storms our way. I'll believe it when I see it! So let me know just before you head out and I can give you more current info.
Links: Inyo NF
Local weather
Summit Post
Whitney Portal Store
Have Fun and I look forward to seeing your images!
Thanks for the links too. Very helpful. I'll be sure to make contracts down there on Monday and inquire further. Maybe we'll even have a chance to meet up when I'm down there? I may spend a day or two in the valley between hikes.
Marc
I haven't hiked Redding Canyon, but be aware that it's quite a bit of elevation gain (6-7k) to get from the valley floor up onto the crest of the White's. Silver Canyon is another possible approach if you're wanting to get to the Patriarch Grove.
Also, I heard you've climbed Lone Pine? Any favorite routes up that thing? What about Thor peak? Looked like a nice scramble with good views assuming snow conditions were cooperative.
Michael has raved about the East Ridge of LP peak. I've always wanted to do it...one day I will. It's a great route!
Thor Peak is a nice Class 3 from near East Face Lake on the North Fork of LP Creek. The summit blocks can be a little tricky, and the place is exposed. The view looking west over Pinnacle Ridge and up to Whitney, the Keeler Needles and Mount Russel is astounding!
I've been to Schulman several times. The 3-mile loop trail is wonderful: Great views and the trees are fabulous! I tried to get to Patriarch once (from Schulman), but it was windier than Oklahoma, cold to the bone (it was late October), and my (then) wife didn't want any part of it!
It sounds like a great trip!
-PB
P.S. great sunrise this morning!
As for Lone Pine Peak, unless you're comfortable 3rd-classing exposed 5.4+ in winter conditions, I would only consider the pedestrian walkup on LPP. It's 2nd class from Meysan Lakes and is a helluva nasty slog in the summer (it's the down route!). You'll find all the scree frozen at this time, so the ascent will be much firmer. Make sure that you take the correct gully down from the summit plateau or you will end up cliffed out!
After some researching, I've decided to head for the Patriarch grove. Nothing like camping for a few February nights in high winds at 11,500 feet after a 7,000 foot approach! I think the harsh, Winter conditions will add an additional and necessary context to the images I intend to make of the Bristlecone pine. I recall Galen did the first winter traverse of the entire range almost 30 years ago to the day, taking 16 days to do it. And yes, if conditions are favorable I'll try to top out on White Mountain - no doubt an easy, allbeit extremely windy walk-up. Similar to my winter accent of Great Basin's Wheeler peak a few years back.