Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Horseshoe Meadows

Any thoughts on difficulty getting a campsite at horseshoe meadows late September on a friday afternoon? Any trouble sleeping in your car? Spent a little time there a few years back and loved the area. Thanks

None and none. (Unless, by "afternoon", you mean "10 pm", in which case, the answer is "some and none".)

i LOVE sleeping in my car at the Cottonwood Pass (not Lakes) trailhead. It is soooo quiet and peaceful. just drive to the end of Horseshoe Meadow Road and park. no slamming doors at 2am, no bears lumbering around. just lots of stars in the sky, a bathroom, water spigot, and some low backpacker bear lockers that always have room.

i never bother getting a campsite so i don't know the availability, but i always look forward to a great night of sleep up there in my car.

p.s. if you have time for a warm-up hike, the hike from the TH to Trail Peak which is the bald peak SW of the TH is a great little hike to help acclimate you.

There should be no problems at all.


Hiiker

My wife and I have never not had a spot at HM. Perfect acclimation point.

love to stay at horseshoe, it can get packed on a fri nite with the day hikers getting some rest before the march the next day.
if you get their early enough the lockers wont be full.
sleeping in your car at the trailhead is nice if you are small or have a large vechicle.
But I would get there as early as possible. if the spots are full, just walk out a little further and set up

Bring extra toilet paper for the restrooms at the trailhead. When I was there in mid-August, all the restrooms had no TP, both at Cottonwood Lakes TH and Cottonwood Pass TH. It seems they don't get serviced much. Budget cuts, I guess.

Other than that, I love that area, too -- so quiet!