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

Hello all - I've been enjoying reading "most" of the postings here; this will be my first post.

I am a 36 year-old male in average shape. It's been two years since my hike up the Whitney "mule trail", and one year since my Shasta summit(via the Avalanche Gulch route). Both were overnight trips, though I'd probably day-trip them next time. This year (late September) my friends and I are planning on bagging Langley in a day after spending a day hiking and acclimatizing for several hours (but not summiting) on the Whitney Mountaineers Route. I had a few questions regarding the day-hike of Langley:

-Is New Army Pass the recommended route for late September? I wouldn't mind some technical challenge, but I want to avoid a mindless slog through scree. Which route would best suit our group?
-How long should the "average" hiker expect this round-trip to take? (I know, it's difficult to say what "average" is, I'm just looking for a guesstimate). What departure time would you recommend for this mythical "average hiker"?
-Any stream crossings where feet will get wet?
-Trail runners or hiking boots - your recommendation please.
-Recommended map(s)? (preferably something REI would carry)
-It looks like there are some cool boulders at the summit - has anyone out there carried along rock shoes for bouldering at the summit?
-I don't imagine mosquitoes will be a problem in late September - is this correct?
-Recommended campsite for the night before the long day-hike? Tuttle Creek campground? Or is there a better one?
-Likelihood of rain/thunderstorms? (Not expecting a weather forecast, just looking for your experiences hiking the area in late September.
-Permit not needed for this day-hike, correct?

I guess that's enough for now - thanks for any info. Happy Trails.

You should have no problem with this dayhike.
- Yes. Old Army a bit shorter, but trail is non-existant in places
- 10 hrs???
-No, not this Sept
- Pers Pref, I'd use Runners with gaiters to keep out scree
- www.topozone.com
- Bouldering everywhere in Sierras, haven't done
- Sketters should be 98% gone
- Campground at Horseshoe Meadows/Cottonwood Lks T/H
- Sept is usually very nice in Sierras. Thundeshowers certaiunly possible.
- True

> Is New Army Pass the recommended route for late
> September?

Yes.

> How long should the "average" hiker expect this
> round-trip to take?

Hard to say. It's on the order of twenty miles so
give yourself the whole day. Start early.

> Any stream crossings

Not that I remember.

> Trail runners or hiking boots

I'd go with comfy shoes. The trails are good and the cross country is easy. Expect some sand.

> Recommended map(s)?

You can figure this one out.

> has anyone out there carried along rock shoes
> for bouldering at the summit?

Hee hee hoo hoo ha ha ha!

> mosquitoes will be a problem in late September

Probably not.

> Recommended campsite for the night before

Just about anyplace. Adjust your wakeup time to be at the trailhead nice and early.

> Likelihood of rain/thunderstorms?

Late September is likely to be a stable time, but it could also snow.

> Permit not needed for this day-hike

Correct.

Have fun, it's a nice, easy, stretchy sort of dayhike. Low on stress, good views, kind of a slog at the top.

Hello drkstember, Hopefully ** this helps

My prospective after 1-day summits of Whitney/Langley/Shasta (this yr)..re Langley

Miles = 21 round trip
Elevation gain = 4200 ft (give or take a few ft)
TH = HorseShoe Meadows 10k ft.

-Is New Army Pass the recommended route for late September? I wouldn't mind some technical challenge, but I want to avoid a mindless slog through scree. Which route would best suit our group? ** old army is a bit shorter and if you choose, a bit of bouldering right before the pass will add some excitment to this route..

-How long should the "average" hiker expect this round-trip to take? (I know, it's difficult to say what "average" is, I'm just looking for a guesstimate). What departure time would you recommend for this mythical "average hiker"?

** Look at the beta and you can guess. An early start (5:30am) will help in case your run into issues..

-Any stream crossings where feet will get wet? **Nope
-Trail runners or hiking boots - your recommendation please. **My trail runners Vasque velocity did the job. Bring small gaiters.
-Recommended map(s)? (preferably something REI would carry) ** Print one out of the REI store..

-It looks like there are some cool boulders at the summit - has anyone out there carried along rock shoes for bouldering at the summit? **Not me

-I don't imagine mosquitoes will be a problem in late September - is this correct? ** Mosquitos were in *abundance* in early June

-Recommended campsite for the night before the long day-hike? Tuttle Creek campground? Or is there a better one? **HorseShoe Meadows TH

-Likelihood of rain/thunderstorms? (Not expecting a weather forecast, just looking for your experiences hiking the area in late September.

**Watch the forecast. I did Mt Shasta over the weekend and could not rely on past data.

-Permit not needed for this day-hike, correct? *No

Javier
Genesis 1:1

typo on earlier reply: Permit not needed for this day-hike, correct? That's Correct!

Thanks to mtn_climbr001, ep, and Javier for the prompt, high-quality beta. Very much appreciated! Have fun on your future outings - I can't wait to head to the Eastern Sierras again!

See the <a href="http://www.summitpost.com/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/64" target="_new">Mt. Langley page on SummitPost.com</a>