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trips - Shepherds Pass to Whitney PortalTrip Info
DescriptionTechnically, the name of the trip should now be "Kearsarge Pass to Whitney Portal" (a.k.a. Sierra Rendezvous 2005, Wheezer & Geezer Reunion). Contact: Phil rosenkrantz@csupomona.edu Revision History: 5/26 - Added link here for snow pack info 2/21 - Added bear canister info 1/13 - Misc. updates. Altitude sickness info added. 12/29 - Trip is full. Created waiting list. Revised hotel info 12/22 - Added hotel info at end page 11/25 - Revised trip options as displayed on thread. 11/10 - Added group info. 11/3 - Revised the dates for this trip due to difficulty in getting permits on this low-quota trailhead prior to July 15 as well as snow concerns at the higher elevations. This trip will no longer coincide with the High Sierra Trail Trip.) Attention TT Eastern Sierra backpackers from years past...and other adventurers! IMPORTANT - This trip is now full. In fact, it is over-full because of the restrictive quotas on the trailheads and Whitney Zone permits. If you want to be on a "waiting list", please email your request to Phil at rosenkrantz@csupomona.edu (please do not post your request on the threaded discussion where they have a great chance to be overlooked.) Eastern Sierra High Country Hike out of the Lone Pine area. 41-48 miles total starting at the Kearsarge Pass Trailhead. Various groups will exit at Kearsarge Pass, Shepherds Pass and Whitney Portal. For those exiting at Whitney Portal, includes summiting Mt. Whitney. All this is subject to obtaining permits. Good side hike options plus fishing for trout. Average under 7 miles/day and some options include layover days. Degree of difficulty is moderate. May be snow on some passes because of heavy winter snowfall. The schedule is designed to be friendly to people who are traveling from out-of-state by car or plane. Best airports to consider for those flying in are Sacramento, and Ontario Airport (about 30 miles east of LA) or Orange County. Most likely there will be carpools from LA and Sacramento. Regular permits are $5 per person. Permits for Whitney Portal will require a Whitney Zone Stamp which costs $15/person (instead of $5/person). Permit plans have already been made for people who signed up for trip prior to the trip closing. Approved bear canisters (e.g., Garcia, Bearikade)will be required of all hikers. Rangers patrol the trails and rigorously enforce bear-proof regulations. See: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/wild/bear.shtml People who like to fish will find good opportunities to catch Golden and rainbow trout at various spots using all types of tackle (lures, bait, fly...probably more opportunities for spincast than fly). Tom Harrison's Mt. Whitney High Country and Mt. Whitney Trail Zone maps are good ones to have. Because so many people have signed up permits will be a big issue. Kearsarge Pass Trailhead was chosen to enter instead of Shepherds Pass Trailhead because it has a higher quota. (But those that want to do Shepherds Pass can still go that way.) Pre-hike Options & Altitude Sickness Info: At high altitude some of your body functions are affected by the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere. Your body can adjust to the oxygen levels if given time. If your body does not adjust properly you can get "Altitude Sickness." It is very real and very common. Symptoms of altitude sickness are headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, weakness or any combination thereof. Altitude sickness in minimized by remaining hydrated, eating well before and during the trip, getting rest, and by acclimating at elevation for a day or two prior to the hike. Anyone who does not acclimate takes a risk of getting altitude sickness. It can last for a short time or until you get down in elevation. Every person reacts differently!! Some people are planning to stay in hotel rooms in Lone Pine (which has a low elevation) the night before the hike and some are planning to camp at 9000 ft. elevation at the Onion Valley Campground to acclimate to the altitude. You need to make arrangements with your travel partners on where you will be staying the night before. Trip Plans: Group 1-s starts Saturday for Kearsarge Pass and exits Shepherds Pass on 7/23 Group 1-w starts Saturday for Kearsarge Pass and exits Whitney Portal approx. 7/23 Group 1a-s starts Sunday for Kearsarge Pass and exits Shepherds Pass on 7/23 Group 1a-w starts Sunday for Kearsarge Pass and exits Whitney Portal approx. 7/23 Itinerary for Groups 1s, 1w: Day 1 - Sat., 7/16 - To Kearsarge Lakes 4.5 miles. Day 2 - Sun., 7/17 - Upper Vidette Mdw. 2.5 miles. Group 1as & 1aw enter at Kearsarge Pass trail and catches up... we hope. Bubbs Ck. Day 3 - Mon., 7/18 - Lake before Forester Pass 6 miles. (Note: small group may go over Forester Pass for peak bagging the next day) Day 4 - Tues., 7/19 - Wright Lk. 7 miles Day 5 - Wed., 7/20: Layover Day in Wright Lakes Basin. Groups 1s and 1a-s: Exit Shepherds Pass Day 6 - Thurs., 7/21: Second layover day in Wright Lakes Basin. Day 7 - Fri., 7/22: Wright Lakes Basin to Anvil Camp via Rockwell Pass. 6 miles. Day 8 - Sat., 7/23: Anvil Camp to Shepherds Pass Trailhead. 8 miles Groups 1w and 1a-w: Exit Whitney Portal Day 6 - Thurs., 7/21: Wright Lakes Basin to Guitar Lake - 9 miles - Easy miles. Great fishing for Goldens in Guitar Lake and Hitchcock Lakes. Day 7 - Fri., 7/22: - Guitar Lake to Trail Camp via Mt. Whitney, 10 miles (drop pack at Trail Crest, 5 miles round trip to summit). Long day, but 5 miles of the 10 are with day pack. Day 8 - Sat., 7/23: - Trail Camp to Whitney Portal. Spend night in Lone Pine - 6.2 miles downhill. Day 9 - Sun., 7/24 Travel/shuttle/fly home day Groups will appear to join up for several days, but not in a way that will get us in trouble with the Rangers or violate "leave no trace" wilderness ethic. Permits- Regarding permits. Very tight quotas to protect the wilderness. I want to thank wingding, snow nymph, WLD, naviguesser, and others who have been mentoring me by email and giving helpful suggestions regarding this trip. Afterglow Party Hotel Info For those interested in staying close together for the "Afterglow Party", it looks like the Dow Villa Hotel and Motel is the place to be on July 23rd. They offer several options and good pricing. Mention the Wheezer and Geezer group if you like! Lots of info at:http://www.dowvillamotel.com.
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