[pct-l] Whitney Portal major road construction and delays this year

[Tom Grundy]

By: Deb Schweizer, Public Affairs Officer Inyo National Forest

January 14, 2016 - The Whitney Portal Road Reconstruction is planned for
the 2016 season under a funding request from Inyo County. The road will be
re-paved and needs significant repairs for safety. The project begins just
west of Lone Pine and ends just east of Whitney Portal.

Whitney Portal is the most popular trailhead on the forest; with hikers
applying, by lottery, to ascend the tallest mountain in the contiguous
United States. Mt Whitney is also the southern terminus of the John Muir
Trail (JMT).

“There is no way to complete this project without having a significant
impact on visitors to the Whitney Portal area,” said Ed Armenta, Forest
Supervisor. “The road has only one ingress/egress and the already limited
parking will be much reduced. Accessing the area may be, at times,
difficult and frustrating. Your planning and patience will help complete
this very important project.”

Visitors have long used roadside parking as an overflow. During
construction near Whitney Portal, this roadside parking will not be
available.

Construction delays will be up to three hours, twice a day. Visitors to
Whitney Portal should anticipate that there may not be a parking space
available.

Visitors to Whitney Portal should consider carpooling, being dropped off by
friends, or shuttle services available from the Lone Pine area.

Visitors who want to hike Mt. Whitney are strongly encouraged to enter the
lottery since walk-in permits will not be issued when parking is
unavailable. Please apply via www.recreation.gov.