Mt Whitney in a June Snowstorm & Whiteout

[Sally]

My friend Jennifer won the Whitney lottery for Friday, June 12. She invited Marilyn and me to accompany her. The weather in June should be pretty nice, right? After all, summer is just days away. As the date approached we kept our eye on the weather reports and trail conditions. Hmmm...we saw snow happening repeatedly through the month of May. Come June, still snowing on nearly a daily basis. The day before our hike the prediction was snow...no, rain...no, thunderstorms after 11:00AM... no, thunderstorms after 11:00 AM. Dang! Also, there was the question of what equipment to bring (crampons? Ice axe? Micros?) After talking to hikers in Lone Pine we learned that micros and trekking pole were essential and sufficient.

Well, we got on the trail at 2:00 AM to try and beat the thunderstorm. We had a gorgeous sunrise. As we approached Trail Camp the craggy skyline began to be enshrouded in light clouds. We donned micros right before the cables. Soon thereafter it began to sleet. Then it started snowing sideways snow. The visibility dropped to 20'. When we got to Trail Crest we made the decision to turn back, as did the majority of the other hikers.

By the time we got back down to Trail Camp the snow had turned into big gloppy wet flakes, and then it started to clear up. Although the trail had turned into a stream, it was beautiful. The wetness always seems to make all the colors more brilliant.

Although we had to retreat about 2 miles from the Peak, we had a fantastic day. Back at the Dow Villa we soaked in the Jacuzzi and watched the brilliant sunset over Mt Whitney. Of course, her head was no longer in the clouds. We joked about giving it another try after dinner!

Please enjoy my pictures. I hope they will give you some relief during this heatwave, and bring some cheer during the sadness of what is happening to our beautiful San Gorgonio Wilderness due to the awful fire that is raging.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1009477359 ... directlink

[guest]

Thanks for the post Sally, the Sierra's are always rugged & unpredictable it seems.
Love your attitude, make the best of the situation, and accept the changes, (I can get summit fever pretty bad, but learning it ain't always worth it).
Great photos, reminds me of my last trip up when it stormed & blew.

ss

[cynthia23]

Beautiful and refreshing pictures. A nice visual break from temps at 110+ and a sky filled with smoke. Thank you!

[Hikin_Jim]

By the time we got back down to Trail Camp the snow had turned into big gloppy wet flakes, and then it started to clear up. Although the trail had turned into a stream, it was beautiful. The wetness always seems to make all the colors more brilliant.

Yeah, I've noticed that too, that rain brings out the colors. Perhaps it's the clarity of the air after it's been washed clean?

HJ

[arocknoid]

Sally, thanks for the TR and photos. Looks like you and Jennifer were smiling as much as Marilyn.
Prudent turnaround for another memorable mountain day.
And the snow pix are a welcome respite...

kind regards,
arocknoid

[towbradley]

glad you posted your trips pictures......one of my goals is to summit with the wife so we can enjoy the view together, but must get in better shape .....michon and I drove up to fuller ridge trail via black mnt road on the 15th(this past Monday) and really enjoyed the trip up to the saddle........just a short walk but full impact of stunning views of desert floor and epic view all the way to the fog bank as well as the peak. am really sad to view the destruction of barrton flats. everybody stay safe this weekend.