18 Jun 2025 - Trip/Conditions Report: White Mountain Peak Hike (CA - 14,252')

The weather forecast was stable and we'd heard that the road was open and snow free, so we decided to have a look. Check out what we found below:

Conditions Report: 

Current As Of: 18 June 2025*

Activity During Report: On trail hiking on the White Mountain Peak Trail from Barcroft Gate. ~14 miles roundtrip.

Conditions: The White Mountain Road was completely snow free and in its usual shape. The short side road to Patriarch Grove of Bristlecone Pines still held a few snowfields, and wasn't accessible yet. We suggest giving it another week or two, but you can walk it if you wanted to access the grove.

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We parked at the Barcroft Gate where we saw lots of marmots. We decided against tarping the truck, but some other hikers did - the decision is yours. If you decide to use another method to repel marmots, keep in mind that bears are attracted to some of the scents that would repel a rodent. If you want to take your vehicle to the Sierra or Rockies afterwards, we strongly recommend against using methods like peppermint oil. 

The hike is pretty mellow aside from its altitude. It follows an old road all the way to the summit of White Mountain Peak, so the grade is never very steep. 

After the first two miles, the trail passes through the Barcroft Research Station which surprisingly was still pretty quiet aside from 2 cars. That will likely change very soon as the scientists of various faculties gather up here.

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We saw one lonely Skypilot up there.

Behind the research station, the trail ascends a steeper hill and then - it goes downhill. A hill you later have to regain on the way back.

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White Mountain Trail, just after Barcroft Research Station

After following the very broad ridge between Barcroft and White Mountain Peak, there is another little dip, then the switchbacks start to ascend the Peak.

In the last big switchback, there is still a snowfield, but there's a quick bypass on a social trail just before you reach the snow.

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The one and only snowfield left on White Mountain Peak

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At this point breathing becomes hard, as you gain the last elevation feet towards the summit at 14,252 feet elevation. Up top, there is a summit hut for scientists, which is locked to the general public though, However, outside the door is a metal box that contains all the summit registers. 

On that note, if anybody goes up there soon, the registers are all full. Would be awesome if someone brought an 8x11 booklet and a gallon-sized plastic bag up there to provide a new summit register. 

The views from here are incredible: you can see the entire length of the High Sierra, all the way from Owens Peak in the South to the Sawtooth Range near Bridgeport in the North.

After a summit snack, we slowly made our way back down. 

Stay safe out there and do not hesitate to call or visit the store if looking for info! Please acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness and have a current weather forecast!! This mountain is a thunderstorm magnet and should be avoided, even if there's just a small change of thunderstorms.

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Need Hiking Gear? If you're in need of sleeping bags, hiking boots (Men/Women), trekking poles, or other gear (backpacks, tents, etc.) for your adventures, you can rent or buy everything that you would need with us here at Eastside Sports.

Got a More Specific Conditions Question? As always, don't hesitate to call us at store (760-873-7520) if ever in need of adventure ideas or conditions information!

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*All conditions reports are subject to change, increasingly so with each passing day since the observation(s) were made. They are provided as a tool to assist your adventuring, not to replace your own risk management and decision-making. No information in any trip or conditions report published by Eastside Sports should be considered definitive in its information or directive in its recommendation.