Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Horshoe Meadow / Cottonwood Lakes Snow Conditions

I'm planning a trip up toCottonwood lakes next weekend. Can anyone tell me the conditions at Horshoe Meadow campgrounds and trail conditions up into the Cottonwood Lakes region. I am familiar with the area, just need to know conditions.

i was up on Horseshoe Meadow Road on Monday, hiking Trailmaster out of the Cottonwood Pass trailhead (not Cottonwood Lakes.) the only snow we encountered were small patches that never really even got our shoes wet. the trail was in great shape and a bit damp when the afternoon showers dropped by. we had some snow flurries as 12k, but nothing stuck.

my pix from that day are here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ryan.norma81/Trailmaster52509#

as seen from pk12525 just north of Trailmaster on Sunday

If you need any further info these pics where taken on the 23rd and 24th.

Peak 12525 or 12369 ?
Whoops, my mistake, north of Trailmaster.

Small, inconsequential patches near cottonwood lakes as of last Saturday (may 23). Nothing at Horseshoe meadows. Old army is still snowed in (witnessed first-hand) and I was told that those without proper gear didn't attempt new army. However, some posters claim to have gone up new army on a 2nd class rock route, avoiding snow. Providing there was no snow this past week, and provided you don't plan on summiting Langley, snow/ice shouldn't be an issue.