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08-10-08, 10:47 PM
these two gems (Onion and Whitney) were listed as two of the toughest climbs in CA. I'm wondering if anyone has conquered these climbs and what insights you might have about giving them a go.
Now that I've done both of them, I don't think that I would called them the toughest climbs in CA. Onion Valley (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6483569) was a nice steady 7-8% nearly the whole way, with a brief moment where it tickled 10%. Whitney Portal (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6483568) was steeper for longer, with extended sections the last 5 miles that were near or over 10%. The real killer for me was going through the Alabama Hills in the 90+ degree heat :eek:. Once I actually got to the swtichbacks up the side of the mountain it was a relief. Certainly the climb to the Bristlecone Pine Forest was harder. Rock Creek yesterday finished higher but never really got steep, although I was not pushing hard as I was with my father-in law.
I did Whitney Portal and Horseshoe Meadows on the same day in July. Man it was hot at the bottom but cool at the top.
I was originally planning on doing Horseshow Meadows after coming down from Whitney Portal but I had gotten a late start getting out to Onion Valley earlier and didn't want to be hitting the exposed side in the mid-afternoon. I also didn't want to go back to my car for more water and it didn't occur to me until I finished that I could have topped off my water at the store at Whitney Portal. As it was I didn't get back to Mammoth until around 5, so I don't know how appreciative my wife would have been of another 2+ hour climb.
I rode Horseshoe Meadows and Whitney Portal on the same day. It was the middle of August and I wouldn't recommend that time of year unless you're used to the heat. It was right around 100 in the afternoons. It was quite comfortable at elevation. I rode up Onion Valley the following day on the way up to Bishop where I rode Old Sherwen Grade to Mosquito Flats the day after that. I have yet to do Bristlecone Pines so that is something I'll have to do this summer. My only insight is just to do it and not think too long about it. THe traffic was great actually. People were shouting encouragements and I'm sure it wasn't because I look good in spandex.
I did almost the same thing in reverse of you, climbing up to Mosquito Flats from below Paradise on Saturday, then Onion Valley, then Whitney Portal. I'll have to do Horseshoe Meadows next time I'm out this way. I had the experience with the temps getting very comfortable at elevation, especially Whitney Portal. When I got to the top I waded in the pond there and cooled off with a nice soda. People were very supportive, got lots of waves, thumbs up, and a few people stuck their heads out and gave me some kind of positive comment. I just assumed it was because I do look good in spandex :thumb:. An itneresting note, I was looking at what I assume was your data (Entropy007?) on MotionBased to make sure I knew where to go, and to get an idea of the amount of time it would take. We took similar amounts of time for both. I did Onion Valley a hair faster than you and you did Whitney Portal a tiny bit faster.
Hey Gene- I've done both of those climbs and will say that they're very similar. Each has a long straight run-up along the alluvial plane where your senses are fooled because it looks like it shouldn't be as steep as it feels. Then you hit the switchbacks and suffer in your lowest gear.
The plains on both were by far the worst part. The deceptive grade was exremely annoying. I was thinking also they they felt very similar but the run up to Whitney Portal was much more exposed, and also Onion Valley was a fairly steady grade the whole way whereas Whitney Portal started out much more gradual and ramped up to make up the difference at the end. Looking at the profile Whitney Portal looks like a skateboard ramp!
Enjoy the pictures, I'm working on a full writeup.
Now that I've done both of them, I don't think that I would called them the toughest climbs in CA. Onion Valley (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6483569) was a nice steady 7-8% nearly the whole way, with a brief moment where it tickled 10%. Whitney Portal (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6483568) was steeper for longer, with extended sections the last 5 miles that were near or over 10%. The real killer for me was going through the Alabama Hills in the 90+ degree heat :eek:. Once I actually got to the swtichbacks up the side of the mountain it was a relief. Certainly the climb to the Bristlecone Pine Forest was harder. Rock Creek yesterday finished higher but never really got steep, although I was not pushing hard as I was with my father-in law.
I did Whitney Portal and Horseshoe Meadows on the same day in July. Man it was hot at the bottom but cool at the top.
I was originally planning on doing Horseshow Meadows after coming down from Whitney Portal but I had gotten a late start getting out to Onion Valley earlier and didn't want to be hitting the exposed side in the mid-afternoon. I also didn't want to go back to my car for more water and it didn't occur to me until I finished that I could have topped off my water at the store at Whitney Portal. As it was I didn't get back to Mammoth until around 5, so I don't know how appreciative my wife would have been of another 2+ hour climb.
I rode Horseshoe Meadows and Whitney Portal on the same day. It was the middle of August and I wouldn't recommend that time of year unless you're used to the heat. It was right around 100 in the afternoons. It was quite comfortable at elevation. I rode up Onion Valley the following day on the way up to Bishop where I rode Old Sherwen Grade to Mosquito Flats the day after that. I have yet to do Bristlecone Pines so that is something I'll have to do this summer. My only insight is just to do it and not think too long about it. THe traffic was great actually. People were shouting encouragements and I'm sure it wasn't because I look good in spandex.
I did almost the same thing in reverse of you, climbing up to Mosquito Flats from below Paradise on Saturday, then Onion Valley, then Whitney Portal. I'll have to do Horseshoe Meadows next time I'm out this way. I had the experience with the temps getting very comfortable at elevation, especially Whitney Portal. When I got to the top I waded in the pond there and cooled off with a nice soda. People were very supportive, got lots of waves, thumbs up, and a few people stuck their heads out and gave me some kind of positive comment. I just assumed it was because I do look good in spandex :thumb:. An itneresting note, I was looking at what I assume was your data (Entropy007?) on MotionBased to make sure I knew where to go, and to get an idea of the amount of time it would take. We took similar amounts of time for both. I did Onion Valley a hair faster than you and you did Whitney Portal a tiny bit faster.
Hey Gene- I've done both of those climbs and will say that they're very similar. Each has a long straight run-up along the alluvial plane where your senses are fooled because it looks like it shouldn't be as steep as it feels. Then you hit the switchbacks and suffer in your lowest gear.
The plains on both were by far the worst part. The deceptive grade was exremely annoying. I was thinking also they they felt very similar but the run up to Whitney Portal was much more exposed, and also Onion Valley was a fairly steady grade the whole way whereas Whitney Portal started out much more gradual and ramped up to make up the difference at the end. Looking at the profile Whitney Portal looks like a skateboard ramp!
Enjoy the pictures, I'm working on a full writeup.