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

Hey, I wondered if I needed a permit to climb Mt. Langley this time of year, I've seen conflicting reports. How long should I plan to day hike it? Are there any 14ers where a special trip to the ranger station isn't needed? ie, I want to drive up late after work and shoot up the next morning early. Thanks for any advice, this board is very helpful.

You do not need a permit to day hike Langley. If you plan on camping out you had better go by the forest service. Cool thing about Langley...only a 4000 foot elevation gain over about 10 miles, with about 2500 feet being the last 4 miles up over army or new army pass.

I went up Langley couple weeks ago. If you can backpack in it's a beautiful area but then you'll need a permit. During the week it was no problem getting one. You don't need a permit to dayhike but unless you're in really good condition get an early start, don't let the distance fool you, it's still a 14er. White Mountain is 14er that's easily doable as a dayhike and no permit needed. Good luck, hope you'll let us know how it goes!

Botanizer,
We did Langley on Sept. 13. Based on what I have read on this board we hike at about average speed. It took us about 7 hrs. to reach the summit from the Horseshoe Meadows Trailhead. We were carrying overnight packs, we could have trimmed some time had we been dayhiking. We dropped our packs about 2 miles before the summit at the trail that turns west towards Soldier Lake. Although we went on to Soldier Lake and Miter Basin, I am sure anyone who can dayhike Whitney can dayhike Langley from Horseshoe Meadows. (assuming good conditions, weather, etc.)

The last mile consists of several use trails, you can choose between the "kitty-litter" loose scree or scramble up through the boulders. I found some good information and pictures in the trip reports on this board. You can find them with the search feature by searching Langley and New Army Pass.

The view from the top is phenomenal! Especially the view to the north. It's a great hike, I don't think it is as "dessert-like" as it is described in the "California Fourteeners" book, the first part through Cottonwood Lakes Basin is lush and beautiful. Best of luck

Thanks to all who make this board possible, and those who responded, it has been a lot of help.
Botanizer