Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt. Whitney vs Mt. Langley

I've dayhiked Mt.Whitney and would very much like to hike Mt.Langley. Can anyone compare the two? Is is better to backpack? I would like to know how much time to allow. Also, has anyone had a problem getting a permit during the week for Langley for a couple of nights or would it be easier to wait till after Sept.l5? Thanks for any input.

Hey trek, Mount Langley is one of the best hikes I have had this summer. I made a summit near the end of June making the trek in two days. The total round trip is ~18 mile (New Army Pass Route). I made camp at long lake the first night( had it to myself), made summit, then hiked out the second day. The hike in is straight foreward with very few people encountered along the way. Remember you start at 10k feet, so elevation gain to long lake is minimal, with most gain being the hike up over the pass. Permits were not a problem walked in and pick one up the day of. The views are spectacular expecially without the crowd. Also I did not find the hike to the summit all that bad. Everyone seems to complain about the loose gravel, but in certain sections you can pratically boulder hop your way up.

Langley makes a decent dayhike too....

Langley is actually about 20 miles. The big difference is you start at 10000 feet...that makes the elevation gain a little over 4000 feet. The first 6 miles gains only about 1500 feet. So think of Whitney less about 20-25% in difficulty. Certainly a workable 1 day hike. If you choose to backpack the cottonwood lakes are a nice place to hang out.

Langley sets up better as a backpack trip but it can be done as a day hike either over Army or New Army Pass, depending on the time of year and skill level. If you are going up New Army Pass go up the South Fork Trail, just left of 100' above the crossing of SF of Cottonwood Creek on the Cottonwood Lakes Trail. It lightly traveled and less sandy and the views you will be seeing are more spectacular and it's about a mile shorter the CL/NAP Trail. There is a bit of cross country around South Fork Lakes.

See the Info. Board at the trailhead the trail is shown on it.

Given my choice, I would backpack Langley. The Cottonwood Lakes basin is one of the most beautiful areas in the Sierra - far more beautiful than the lakes on the Whitney trail because the terrain is more open and the views broader. Also, the view from the top is especially nice. You will be able to see the Whitney route from Trail Crest to the top, including the stone house. Remember, since Langley and Whitney are the only two fourteeners, there is nothing to block your sight. Since you have already done Whitney, you can look across at your route and savor the accompishment. It really looks impressive with a little distance.