Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board A Few Questions

Okay... Some of my family, friends, and I will be hiking from Cottonwood Meadows and exiting Onion Valley (Couldn't get Whitney Portal). We will be doing this from July 17-24. I just have a few questions:

*Is is possible to hike Mount Langley in one day by hiking from the Cottonwood Meadows trailhead, dropping our packs at New Army Pass, hike to the summit, and camp at Rock Creek?

*How is the trail from Crabtree Meadows to the Whitney Summit?

*How is the access to the Kern Canyon from Crabtree meadows (I haven't been able to find any mileage)?

*How is Forester Pass? And do you think we need ice crampons after this wet winter in July?

Yea, we are fairly able hikers (we live at 6,000 feet), but we are just wondering about the viability of doing this...

Thanks for your comments

You could do Langley in a day ...without a pack loaded for a 7 day trip. Camp the first night at Cottonwood lakes, then bag Langley on the second day.

If you camp two nights somewhere around Crabtree Meadows, you could do a dayhike side trip to the Whitney summit and back. The trail is beautiful up to Guitar Lake. Then it is just a slog from there on up.

Last summer, Forester pass was open and dry on July 23 <a href="http://stevec.smugmug.com/gallery/175903/2/6621385" target=_new> (Picture here)</a> There might be snow, but I would doubt it would be that difficult. Try to cross mid-day and any snow will be soft and not icy.

I haven't done the Cottonwood to Crabtree part, so don't know the time. But you should be able to make Onion Valley in three days from Crabtree without too much trouble -- especially if you are strong enough to do the two 14er side-trips.

Steve C
<a href="http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~stevec/"> Mt Whitney web page</a>

Side trip to Langley...Doable but don't drop you packs at the top of NAP but down in the drainage. It's 300' of no fun climb to the top of the pass after you summit. You'll know what I mean when you get there. Cirque's easier and will take less time but the views aren't as spectacular.

Crabtree Meadow to the Summit...All easy hiking to the ridge then the fun begins. All in all it's fairly easy, just start real early to avoid the T-storms.

Langley is a cool peak, the shear north face is very impressive. Anyways, I think it is definately doable in a day for most people. Not saying that throwing that dayhike into your first day on the trail will be easy, but just give yourself time and stay hydrated. I do agree you may be better off taking your packs to Old Army Pass, dropping them there and hiking up Langley.
The trail up the back side of Trail Crest to Whitney is well worn and shouldnt be an issue.
I did Forester first week in July last year as part of the JMT, and while it looks a little hairy <a href="http://community.webshots.com/photo/167774896/172730460EDZIXb">(Forester Pass from South)</a> from the South, the trail is well cut out and snow should be melted off. This is one of my favorite area in the Sierras, you won't be disapointed.
Eric

I did the Cottonwood to Crabtree a couple of years ago. Spent the first night at Cottonwood, then went over NAP, down Rock Creek and up to Upper Crabtree Meadows. Did it in one day, but it was a long day, with no side trips.

Better to do it in 2 days/ nights. Horseshoe to NAP and then Soldier- 1st night. Soldier to Crabtree Meadows second.

It is possible to bag langley on the first day. The hike from the saddle after crossing NAP is aggrivating. Definitely leave your packs and bag the peak w/o them. Camping just before NAP would be a decent first day out w/ packs; camping on the saddle past NAP would be cool but much tougher.

I did langley out an back in one day w/ my dog. It was a long day. I did langely in one day out and half way back and camped below NAP. IT was still a long day.