Travel to Whitney Portal from Denver -- what is the best flying option?

John Pencawrote:

You sir, are a douche. His post had no pontification or yelling.

right, first rule of MP is dont be a jerk. thanks for getting my back

plantmandanwrote:

(I am assuming covid-19 will be eradicated by then, so no need to debate that aspect please)

mark felberwrote:

Google Maps calls Brighton to Lone Pine a 14 1/2 hour drive, which is doable in one long day by two people.

I have done the drive once before, back in the day. Our main issue is time. Even if that wasn't an issue, the drive back is not very appealing. That spot on I-70 where you pass the sign that says Denver is still 500 miles away is dreadful when you are on the other end of a trip.

I guess driving will be our plan D or E.

OK, thanks again for all the input. Here is my mini trip report:

We flew into Las Vegas on 7/21, drove to Whitney Portal, stayed there for a night, then hiked up to Upper Boy Scout Lake for a night, summitted the East Buttress on 7/23 in terrific weather, camped another night at UBSL after the descent, then hiked back to Whitney Portal and stayed there for one more night. That last day we threw in some cragging at Alabama Hills, which was surprisingly pleasant in the late afternoon shade even though the temperature hit triple digits in Lone Pine. On Sunday, 7/25, we drove back through Death Valley, tagged Badwater Basin, threw in a tourist trip to Red Rocks, and flew back to Denver that evening. Summiting Whitney via the East Buttress was a very memorable experience. I highly recommend it. The Whitney Portal area is so beautiful.  

The worst part of the trip was the airport in Las Vegas. It was terribly crowded, and getting and returning the rental car was a huge pain in the ass. Just about any other airport would have been better. I chose Vegas over Reno because Vegas had more direct flights back to Denver later in the day. I would not fly into Vegas again to get to this area.       

I used to live in Squaw Valley, Chalfant, and Santa Barbara. Reno is pretty easy and straight forward. You can grab groceries at Trader Joe's in Carson City and more supplies in Bishop. Mammoth is a few miles off US395.  Check the wildfire reports as there are fires in that area.  The drive is stellar. You can soak at Buckeye in Bridgeport, CA; springs off Hot Creek Road south of Mammoth; or Keough.  

You have many options for LA but will have to deal with the 5 or the 405.  Once you make it onto the 14, you have a busy trucker route through the desert towns of Lancaster and Palmdale.  Drive is scenic once you turn onto 395 but the northern route from Reno has no comparison. 

The skylines from Mammoth to Whitney Portal are stupdendous and camping is easy.  

Let me know if you have other questions.  

Boy Scout Lake is a tarn so you should check on water availability. Once you leave the main drainage, water is limited.  Whitney portal is a shit show so good luck with parking. 

Thunder Snowwrote:

I used to live in Squaw Valley, Chalfant, and Santa Barbara. Reno is pretty easy and straight forward. You can grab groceries at Trader Joe's in Carson City and more supplies in Bishop. Mammoth is a few miles off US395.  Check the wildfire reports as there are fires in that area.  The drive is stellar. You can soak at Buckeye in Bridgeport, CA; springs off Hot Creek Road south of Mammoth; or Keough.  

You have many options for LA but will have to deal with the 5 or the 405.  Once you make it onto the 14, you have a busy trucker route through the desert towns of Lancaster and Palmdale.  Drive is scenic once you turn onto 395 but the northern route from Reno has no comparison. 

The skylines from Mammoth to Whitney Portal are stupdendous and camping is easy.  

Let me know if you have other questions.  

Boy Scout Lake is a tarn so you should check on water availability. Once you leave the main drainage, water is limited.  Whitney portal is a shit show so good luck with parking. 

He already went on the trip.

Thanks Andrew,  I definitely want to get out there again to climb Fishhook Arete and will probably do Reno next time.