Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Good two day loop in the Whitney area?

A buddy and I will have three days to explore the area surrounding Whitney after we summit. Can anybody recommend a two or three day loop nearby? Both hikers are fit and experienced. Thank you!

A couple for variation on the same theme.

Short Loop...

Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead to the South Fork Trail into the Cottonwood Lakes Basin out via the Cottonwood Lakes Trail.

Long Loop...

Cottonwood Pass to Soldier Lakes out via Army Pass and the Cottonwood Lakes Trail

Thanks for your tip! Permits for Cottonwood Lakes are unavailable for our dates, but Soldier Lakes is still available. How challenging is it? It's 10 miles each way from what I gather with about 2000 grand in altitude gain over the Army Pass. We are all fit guys, but after summiting Whitney in a day is this an overly ambitious hike? Thank you so much for your input!

The reservations for Cottonwood Lakes are unavailable but there are so many permits for that area you will be able to pick up a walk-in without a problem.

Being fit is a nebulous term. I was in great shape for my first day hike of Mt. Whitney a couple days before that hike, the day after I know I was not.