[pct-l] Trail Crest to Whitney Portal/ Lone Pine

[Bob Bankhead]

Over Trail Crest to Whitney Portal:

Yes, it's a quick exit to Lone Pine, but the same is true for Horseshoe Meadow. However, the hitch from Lone Pine back to the Portal has more traffic and so will be easier than the hitch back to HSM.  

The deciding question is "do you intend to re-supply and return to the PCT?". If so, you do NOT want to make that steep climb back up to Trail Crest with a full pack. Better to go out over Kearsarge Pass to Onion Valley and hitch down to Idependence, resupply and return the same way.

Also, crossing Trail Crest means you must pay the $15 Whitney Zone fee, whether you climb Mt. Whitney or not, and have it noted on your PCTA permit. If you don't cross Trail Crest, your PCTA permit still allows you to enter the zone temporarily to climb Whitney then return west to the PCT.

Wandering Bob
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Will M 
  To: pct-l 
  Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 9:27 AM
  Subject: [pct-l] Trail Crest to Whitney Portal/ Lone Pine


  HI,

  I was wondering why some of the guide books don't mention hiking over Trail
  Crest  to Whitney Portal as a away of getting to Lone Pine?  I checked the
  Data book, Yogi's guide, and even the recent ( and very cool) PCT Atlas and
  none of them mention this option. From what I hear, it is probably the easiest way to get into Lone Pine while bagging Whitney.

  Am I missing something here?  How is the trail going from Trail Crest to
  Whitney Portal in Mid June?