TheSamba.com :: View topic - Anyone drive up Mt. Whitney Portal Rd in Vanagon? (CA)

Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:59 am

Hi, I have plans to climb Mt. Whitney in August. I would love to take my 87 Camper up there to stay the night.
Has anyone ever driven up that road in a Vanagon??

Thanks,
DJ

Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:26 am

I did last year once in a 85 Westy, once in a 89 non westy. There is a campground halfway to the portal, you can't stay and camp at the portal. (you may need a reservation for a spot to camp). From the campground to the portal I did it mostly in second gear (WBX engine). I recommend to camp at the campground and go to the portal early in the morning (even in the winter) it would help to cool down engine... Another nice ride is the near by Alabama Hills, where they used to shoot western/cowboy movies and advertising ads for cars...

August is a good time to go. A drive thru the Owens Valley will give you nice landscape with the fall colors.

I love that area and go there every year for the fall colors...

Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:30 pm

I do it every year right before the permit season. You can drive to the portal and sleep in your van if you are stealthy. I usually get there very late at night and just roll the sleeping bag out somewhere in the trees. Are you going to do the regular route or the mountaineers route?

Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:41 pm

I go up there at least 2-3 times a year and I always see Vanagons up there. There is a campground just below the portal store, but it requires reservations. Stealth campling at the Portal parking lot might be a way to go. There are so many people climbing the mountain (at all hours) this time year they couldn't know if you're sleeping in your van. Plus it's really dark at night unless there's a full moon. I climbed the Mountaineers route two years ago in August. A very amazing and memorable experience that I would really like to repeat. Get there two days early to acclimate.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:23 pm

I've had mine to the base of the mountains just before the switchbacks, until I couldn't go any further due to the snow. Otherwise I haven't had any reason to make the climb in the Westy. The Caddy does just fine however.

Chris

Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:33 pm

I've done it with a full load; 2nd gear much of the way; no drama, no worries.

Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:45 pm

There's also a cool place to camp lower down near the Alabama Hills on the left behind a big set of rocks before the Alabama Hills turn. Sorry I can't tell you more than that but its a great stealth campsite and you won't be seen from the road.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:53 am

FYI...

if you happen to go North on highway 395, there is a garage a couple miles North of Bishop (at the edge of the town). The guys in there are specialists in German car. There are always half a dozen westy ans syncro in various condition from restoration, repair or engine swap.

Very interesting to visit.

(I once saw a BMW 735i station wagon which never been imported to the US, may be it's a custom job, not from factory)

Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:52 am

Thanks all! We have a reservation at the portal. Your info has been really helpful.

DJ