Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Cottonwood Lakes Trail Loop

Does anyone know if there is a trail that connects High Lake with Cottonwood Lake #5 without having to hike New and Old Army passes? Thanks.

You mean other than hiking the trail from High Lake down to CLs 1 and 2, and then hanging a left on the trail to CL5?

Yes, it's my first time in this area and we were looking to do a loop hike. I guess we would have to back track as you suggested.

There is no official trail other than over OAP and NAP and the one mentioned above. There may be use trails but my recollection, confirmed by topo, is that the cliffs above High Lake are pretty steep. The cliffs above Long Lake are a little less steep but it looks like one would have to be comfortable with pretty rugged off trail travel, and one would still probably end up going over Old Army Pass after hitting the plateau....