Due to the elevation changes, temperatures between the desert floor and Patriarch Grove can vary 40-50 degrees or more. For instance, when the temperature is 98 degrees in Big Pine, it will be approximately 85 degrees in Grandview Campground. Even the nicest warm summer morning can end with a sleet and hail thunderstorm in the afternoon. In the spring and fall, the air can be very cold, so carry adequate clothing. As there is ore-third less oxygen available at 10,000 feet then at sea level, some people suffer from altitude sickness.
Symptoms are shortness of breath, headache, extreme fatigue, nausea, and dizziness.
Slowing pace and breathing more deeply usually brings relief. In severe cases, travel to lower elevations immediately. During the first days of high elevation exposure, blood pressure elevates sharply. People with heart problems should consult their physicians before planning a trip to the mountains. Dehydration is common in this dry climate, so bring ample amounts of drinking water.