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

Can anyone advise me/assure me there is an obvious hiking trail leading from Cottonwood Lakes to Mt Langley? I am taking a fairly novice group over Labor Day to camp at South Fork or Cottonwood Lakes and do not want to get us lost and wandering for any length of time. I've search the internet & books at REI but none give definitive descriptions of the conditions of Old or New Army Pass, where or how to go, what's shorter, what's easier, mileage and the expected time to go round trip from camp and back (it will be my group's first time at 14,000'. We're prepping for Whitney first week of October).

Also, does anyone have comments to make about camping at South Fork Lakes vs any of the Cottonwoods? And if reccommending Cottonwoods, which lake would be the most remote with greenery and a view to the west/north/south (I like the feeling of having gotten away from civilization ie NOT looking out toward the east/Owens Valley).

Thanks a million for sharing your experience and thoughts.

The Cottonwood Lakes/New Army Pass trail is very obvious, at least as far as the top of the pass. From there, no trail is needed; Mt. Langley is simply a monstrous pile of sand, looming due north. Use trails to Langley are evident, but they are not needed.

Recently these pictures came on line....Kashcraft's day hike to Mt. Langley via Cottonwood Lakes and Army pass.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559650743Owdgop

Time backpacking the 6 miles to the Cottonwood lakes would be around 3 hours. A day hike to the top of Mt. Langley was reported at about 4-5 hours up and 2 hours down.

The Cottonwood Lakes Basin is separated totally from the Owens valley. So the view everywhere is remote and nice.

There are some nice areas to camp around Cottonwood Lakes #3. Muir Lake also has some nice areas to camp. The Southfork Lakes area is also a reasonable option.

The trail to Army pass passes between Cottonwood Lake #4 & #5 and then follows the north shoreline of Cottonwood Lake #4 before zig zagging up to the pass. Once at the pass follow the use trails north. You will see Mt. Langley come into view within about 15 minutes north of the pass, but not at the pass itself. Easiest slog is up the sand hill toward the left. Climbing straight up the middle is not difficult...some class 2-3 bouldering. The chute on the southeast corner of Mt. Langley is rated as a class 3.

If you are camping at Southfork Lakes, an option is to take the New Army pass trail up past High lake to New Army Pass, before turning north. The trail descends down near Army pass and then from there it is the same. Don't follow this trail all the way down the eastern side.

This picture was taken from Cirque peak toward New Army Pass.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1385721738061435028uXgeNd

A map of the area

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1245799001061435028nOrAxZ

I think that Tiffany has this covered. I was up there last week with my wife who would be considered a relative novice although I've dragged her up Whitney via Cottonwood Pass and now Langley. We camped at the West end of Cottonwood 3 and had great views. You can also camp at Cottonwood 5 but it's wide open to the weather but good views. As Tiffany says, follow the trail with Cottonwood 4 on your left and follow the trail to the far end and up. Once on the trail and at the far end of four, you won't get lost. The trail is good and wide open. At the slide near the top, just go left and around. Not difficult. At the pass, you'll see a trail heading north toward langley. Trudge and enjoy. Again, Tiffany is right on when you approach Langley. Stay left and head toward the sand and go up. You'll find a chute that is not difficult - really only a class 2. It's fun. Once through the chute area, head up but more east than up. The peak is toward the right (east). I like Army Pass because it's 600 feet lower than New Army and closer to Langley. Enjoy. It's a wonderful hike.

Thanks all for your quick and thorough responses! I feel a lot better now knowing that Old Army Pass trail is evident and passable.

We ARE looking for a little protection from the sun/elements so sounds like Lake #3 has the trees and views we're looking for.

You mention Muir Lake. There's no trail showing on the map to get us over to the Pass Trail. I suppose you will tell me we can camp there and easily make our way over to it and up Langley?

jgr, the trails to the passes are obvious and good.

However, if you go Southfork lakes, you are really in line for New Army Pass. If you are at the Cottonwood Lakes, you are in line for Old Army Pass.

There is a difference in the passes: New is 500 feet higher than Old....which means you have to climb an extra 1,000 feet if you take New Army Pass.

If I were leading a novice group up (actually, when I have), I camped above (east) of Lake 5, and shot up OAP. Definitely easier than other options, particularly for novices. You can figure out a lot by looking at the map of the area.

Here is a trip writeup on that trip, with pictures of the campsite, the pass, and a writeup that has much of the details that you request:

http://www.outdoorsclub.org/PastTrip/PastTripDetail.asp?id=929

I agree with all. I climbed Langley last July via Old Army pass. The only concern were a couple of snow patches we had to scurry around and over. But, from what I understand, this year there has not been any snow concerns this late in the year. We made it from the Golden Trout camp and back in a comfortable day hike.
I would consider camping before you get to lakes 4 and 5. It is pretty barren there. The earlier lakes provide nice spots.
I am going back in late September, early October this year for a Horseshoe Meadow to Whitney trip, and am working in Langley again. Definitely worth it.
I have not done New Army Pass, but I thought it was lower, not higher, than Army Pass?
Hans

More great detailed info. Thanks Ken and Hans! I feel ready to tackle this now, where to camp and how to go!

This is a GREAT message board.

On my fold out map I bought at the Whitney Portal Store...called Mt. Whitney Area Map....there is a trail going over to Muir Lake. It leaves the regular trail coming into the Cottonwood lakes area about 1/2 mile before you get to Cottonwood lake #1. I remember seeing the sign on the way in.

There is no trail from Muir Lake over to Cottonwood lake #3, #4 or #5. However I hear it is a nice place to camp and that area is wide and open. I would guess you could easily walk west from Muir lake until you get to Cottonwood lake #3 and then pick up the Army Pass trail again.

If you are going to Mt. Langley the best route is head for Cottonwood Lakes at the CL/NAP junction. This sets up for going up AP, the most direct and easiest route to Langley.

I like camping a north end of Lake #3 because three are very few campsites at at Lakes #4 and #5.

Once you are over the pass and get to ~12,500' you will see the trail go in many different directions towards the base of the mountain. I like the steepest most direct route to the southwest corner.

Hans:

There is nothing as discouraging as getting down to OAP, and seeing that you have ~500 feet to climb back up to NAP. Only thing worse is the climb back up, going down Shepard Pass.

jgr,

It looks like everything that could possibly have been said about route finding to Mt. Langley has been said in this thread.

Nevertheless I just thought I would add m2c! Having hiked up there two Mondays ago (July 9th) you're welcome to check out a discussion of my route from NAP:

Route up Mt. Langley from NAP

The reason we chose NAP from Long Lake was because our group was hiking from HSM to Whitney Portal. It was my 3rd time on this route. NAP is a well engineered trail even if it is higher than OAP which is not maintained as well. (It would be shorter that way however) Obviously there are MANY use trails up Langley (check out my pictures) It's a great hike. Have a wonderful adventure with your group. Just remember to make sure everyone is adequately hydrated and has enough H2O to get up and back. There's nothing worse than experiencing dehydration on the trail! Good luck.