[pct-l] planning - Walker Pass to Mt Whitney (Lone Pine)

[The Wilderness Vagabond]

Thanks FreeRange!
   Permits:  I came to the same conclusion about permits.  I called Inyo (wilderness permits) and also Sequoia.  My conclusion is that:  You get your permit from Sequoia, being sure to specify on the permit that you are going out the Whitney Zone, and it is good for your entire hike.  Wonderful stuff!  Easy too, have permit, will complete it, scan it and return it to Sequoia NF.  Sequoia told me I needed a separate Whitney Permit - but I'm assuming that the Inyo guys know the most about their area.
     Also needed - campfire permit.  Anyone know if alcohol stoves will be OK to use this year?

So - one question answered.  Thanks.

Next issues:  (Walker Pass to junction with JMT, out Whitney to Lone Pine)

Start date?  I'm guessing a July 1st or even a last week in June start date might work.  Looking forward to hearing from those with more experience.  Weigh-in please.

I have the Half-Mile maps and app.  

Where might water be an issue?  That is, where will I find, not find water - asking for your best guesses here.

Will too much water be an issue with a late-June start?  Fording the Kern?  Other places?

Snow issues?

Might I be best advised to exit via Cottonwood Pass to Horseshoe?  (I'm tying this section of the PCT to my previously hiked JMT trek, so I'll go at least to this junction -- could backtrack if advisable).

I am planning to leave a vehicle in Lone Pine, so:
    Where is the best place to leave it for two + weeks?  Secure?
     How might I get from Lone Pine to Walker Pass to start the hike?
     Is there parking at Walker Pass?  How safe would a car be there?

Canister:  I'm assuming I might as well carry a bear canister the entire distance, with resupply at Kennedy Meadow.  Feedback?

Incidentally, I discovered a way to individually size your built-to-length bear can (e.g., Bearikade) to fit your pack.  Anyone interested - please write and I'll post my method.

Cheerio and happy hiking.  WildVagabond

http://wildernessvagabond.com/


--------------------------------------------
On Tue, 2/24/15, Sarah Estrella <skestrella at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [pct-l] planning - Walker Pass to Mt Whitney (Lone Pine)
 To: "The Wilderness Vagabond" <wildvagabond at yahoo.com>
 Cc: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
 Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2015, 11:36 AM
 
 Hi WV,
 I
 hiked from highway 58 to Whitney and out Whitney Portal last
 September. The permit process is very confusing. I called
 Sequoia NF and Inyo NF three times each because each kept
 referring me to the other one. So they don't even seem
 to know for sure. The bottom line was Sequoia NF issues the
 permit because the first place you need a permit for is
 Golden Trout Wilderness. I used the application at
 www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_058990.pdf
 Fill in your itinerary with Mt Whitney at the
 end and mail it in! You'll get a funky permit back by
 mail so no need to pick anything up.
 On
 Whitney, a ranger checked my permit and said he'd
 "never seen one like that but it looks legit". I
 did keep it in the envelope it came in.
 Have
 a great time! One of my best hikes ever.
 FreeRange
 
 Sent
 from my iPhone
 
 > On Feb 21, 2015, at
 1:08 PM, The Wilderness Vagabond <wildvagabond at yahoo.com>
 wrote:
 > 
 > I have
 carved out the section from Walker Pass to the PCT/JMT
 junction - exiting via Mt Whitney to Lone Pine for this
 Summer.  
 >  This, as I understand it,
 is PCT mile 652 to Crabtree at 767 (115 miles), then about
 18 miles on the JMT to Whitney Portal.; total of about 133
 miles.
 > 
 >
 Background:  I'd like to start at Walker Pass and exit
 via Whitney Portal.
 > 
 > Because I'll be right there - I'd
 like to summit Mt. Whitney - do I need a separate permit for
 this?
 > 
 > I plan to
 average about 10 miles per day.  Resupply in Kennedy
 Meadows.
 > 
 > Please
 suggest the best start date for this hike.  (How did you
 determine this date?)
 > 
 > I'd like to avoid excessive snow
 walking and also have water available in the lower areas.
 > 
 > Permits?  I'm
 confused about what permit or permits I will need.  An Inyo
 FS permit to start?  A Whitney Zone permit?  A campfire
 permit?  Please advise.
 > 
 > Transportation?  I'd like to leave a
 vehicle at Lone Pine, then travel to Walker Pass to start
 the hike (ending hike at Lone Pine).  What are your
 transportation suggestions for getting to Walker Pass from
 Lone Pine?
 > 
 > Where,
 in Lone Pine, is the best place to store a vehicle for an
 extended time?
 > 
 >
 Are there other, workable, options to exiting via Whitney
 Portal?  Without lots more mileage.
 >
 
 > Suggestions about things not to miss,
 places to stay and avoid - appreciated.
 >