Whitney zone #2

Oh yeah, no privacy at all.

Hold it.

There is privacy. It's just further away than in most places. Time it right and enjoy doing a bit of exploring. If someone comes up on you unexpectedly it won't be something they haven't seen before or will never see again. Just smile and say hello.

Don't leave your wag bag out where the critters can get it. I made that mistake at Guitar Lake one year and when I picked up the bag the bottom fell out of it. Not a chore I was expecting in the morning before heading up to Whitney.

Years ago, the Mount Shasta Wilderness started the same WAG bag policy. In that WAG bag, there was a paper bulls-eye target that you were to lay on the ground for use. Still, some hikers had to be instructed in its use.

Actually, the question that is asked at the visitor center is this: How many WAG bags per day do I need?

If you wait for your privacy until just as it gets dark, you can turn on your headlamp and aim it in the direction that people would be walking. That warns them of your use of privacy. Otherwise, they might just stumble up on you in the dark.

–B.G.–

Is guitar lake that crowded? Should I be considering one of the other lakes nearby?
My plan was guitar lake, summit, then out to whitney portal all in the same day to avoid the trail camp…that may be difficult though eh?

If you are going during prime season, then Guitar Lake can be very crowded since it is the most strategic spot to camp for an early morning stroll up to the summit. There are some other ponds and streams in the area, but this year's drought might be doing ugly things. The ranger from Crabtree used to go make the rounds at Guitar Lake every evening, mostly checking on permits, checking for WAG bags, and harassing people who camped too close to the water.

Some people are able to go from Guitar Lake to the summit, then all the way out to Whitney Portal by Miller Time. I suppose that you can do that if your knees are in really good condition. With some fear there, some folks leave Guitar Lake super early so that they can be on the summit for sunrise. That's admirable.

Carrying a partially empty backpack up to the trail junction might be pretty tiring. Then, once you return to it from the summit, you have to ascend a few hundred more feet to get over Trail Crest. I hate that part each year.

Going down the Switchbacks, it is mostly graded OK. Once you get below Trail Camp, there are lots of steps that take a toll on your quadriceps, but that lasts only for a couple of miles.

–B.G.–

Thanks for all the info.
It sounds like it would be a safer move to stay at trail camp….I might have to adjust my exit permit for that.
I've read it can be crowded there too. Bummer…will have to carry out 2 wag bags unless I hold it.
Any tips on trailcamp? Any hidden sites I should look for?

Why do people camp at Trail Camp? Because it is the last (highest) place to camp on the way going up the Mount Whitney Trail. There is a large pond of water. However, most of the rocky tent spots are close to the trail. That's OK, if that is what you want. If you move away from the trail, you get over into more rocks, but you will get a tiny bit more privacy. Or, you can camp down near Consultation Lake. It is farther from the trail, and the water quality has to be better. There are always places to put a tent, but they may be very small.

–B.G.–

Thinking of staying at Hitchcock vs Guitar lake. I assume there's less people?
Is there an obvious use trail?
Is it as scenic as guitar lake? Will it add much time?