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

As part of our scout troops plans, some wish to earn the Whitney award. This requires a certain mileage on the trail. I have two maps of the area (Tom Harrison and National Geographic), and they show significantly different mileage for the route from Horseshoe Meadow over Cottonwood Pass to the summit of Whitney, and then down to Portal. Does anyone know the correct mileage for this route?

As I recall from my last time around ... it's a shade over 41 miles.
Peace,
...tg...

If you tag Whitney 40-41 miles should be very close. I mapped it several years ago on National Geographic topo and it was 39.5. Generally on longer hikes involving several passes I have to add a mile or two as it's impossible to accurately trace the trail.

i'm mapping it out now, and coming up with anywhere between 37-41 miles

I believe that Audiograce is correct on the mileage.

While Cottonwood pass may seem easier than New Army Pass (i.e. less altitude gain), I would highly recommend going over New Army Pass instead. The trail around the back side of cottonwood pass is the sandiest trail I have ever been on, like walking on the beach.

If your scouts need to get 50 miles and 5 nights for their backpacking Merit Badge, another good option is out of Onion Valley/Kearsarge Pass to Whitney. It clocks in at exactly 50 miles.