Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt Langley via New Army pass

Hi - heading up to Mt Langley on 7/19 via New Army pass for the first time and wondering about the camping. Are we better off staying at Long Lake or High Lake? Any recommendations and tips are welcome. Thanks

long lake preferred, many fine campsites in and around pines at southwest corner. most likely you will have some company. also keep in mind those lakes are high (11k) and to the non acclimated, sleep can be elusive!

The camping is at the west end of Long Lake on the north side of the High Lake Outlet.

However, the best way of up to Langley is Army Pass. It eliminates the 300' climb back to the New Army Pass...God, I hate that climb.

Thanks for the tips - this will be the first time out backpacking for some in our group and I was thinking New Army may be easier since it is maintained vs Army Pass. If we change our plans and do Army pass is the camping best at the end of Cottonwood Lakes #3 or at 4 & 5

Please post a trip report! I'm heading up Langely on the 27th. I too am thinking New Army due to the better trail...

Happy hiking!

=) tif

It depends on how you define better.

There is no question the quality of the New Army Pass is a better trail than Army Pass. However, does that make up for the climb back? Most will answer no to that question.

Many of us know and take the 1-mile short cut to New Army Pass, which cuts the 22-mile RT to 20. Even with that taken into consideration, I would still opt to go over Army Pass.

Two things:

1. I'm pretty sure a Boy Scout group did some voluntary trail maintenance on Army Pass a few years ago... it's not that bad... only a few spots where you need to watch your footing.

2. Learn about the Old Trailhead down the road from the Road End. It leads in thru the Golden Trout Camp and is also the best place to go in for Owens Point and Thatcher Point climbs. (I'll try and find a waypoint for it later...maybe.)

That would be helpful.
Would like to know more about the shortcut to NAP & Long Lake as well.
Thanks

Done it both ways and heartily recommend Army Pass given snow conditions. That climb back up to New Army sucks!

After you make the 1st stream crossing there is a closed off trail about 180' further up the trail on you left...it's easy to miss if you are not looking for it. Hang a left there and follow the well established trail to South Fork Lakes. Then, go cross country through the lakes basin until you pick up the NAP Trail just below Long Lake...we usually cut between the 2nd and 3rd lake but its always a slightly different route, depending on how adventurous we feel.

According to the GPS, it cuts off about a mile.

This is a pretty lame map from SmugMug that shows the approximate location of the Old Trailhead.

Essentially, what you need to know is that there is a parking area (shoulder on the road) on the left side (you would be heading up the road) just before the trail heads up. If you pass this point, you will make a hard left turn, then a hard right and then reach the Cottonwood Pass / New Army Pass intersection.

The 2 lines leading out of the top of the map are the old trail and the new trail. They have labeled the top one Golden Trout Camp and the lower one Cottonwood Lakes.



This is what the start of the Old Trail looks like.

Thanks for the update on the shortcut, will see about taking it.
Great info you have on your links
Thanks again

Thanks Richard, will review with our group.
Showed my wife some of your albums last night- very nice.

Thanks, it is a beautiful area up there.

I jokingly took my wife on our honeymoon up to the Cottonwood Lakes and then made up for it by taking her to Manhattan for 10 days. (She is a real city-slicker, but did manage to pretend she likes the BC for a few years.)

no disrespect to other posters, but if i were going up there with first time backpackers, particularly a large group, i would stick to the main trail and skip the shortcuts.

army pass is certainly the preferred route but keep in mind that there is one (very) short section near the top with exposure.

there are several campsites along the army pass trail as it winds between lakes 4 and 5. you will most likely see others camped there. also, sites in the trees along northeast side of 3.

going up langley is not difficult, it's the getting back to the parking lot part that's hard. maybe something to do with the sandy trail. the last time up i was on top at 0937 and felt great. back at the car some hours later i was whipped!

I appreciate all the info from everyone. Our group will be between 2-4 and at least 2 will not have any backpacking experience. Because of that we have decided to stick with the main trails and NAP. 1 hiker has a mild adversion/phobia to steep exposures. Worried about AP, so we will take the longer route. Plan to spend 2 nights at Long Lake. Not knowing how the noobs will handle the altitude, we WILL NOT come down with summit fever. Always another day to enjoy the BC.
Thanks to all for their knowledge and experience.

We hiked into Long Lake on Thurs 7/19 - just 1 other group camped there. Weather was beautiful - clear skies at night and maybe 40 as a low. Up NAP in the morning to Langley. Did not sleep well due to the altitude and was feeling just OK. Started getting up the flanks of Langley and the headache and upset stomach occured at about 13,200'. Was not drinking enough and I paid the price. Turned around and decided to try Army Pass down so we could check out Cottonwood Lakes on the way back to Long Lake. Army Pass was dicey for my friend and took quite a while to get down. He will not do this route again, I was OK with the condition which was good. Felt fine back at 12000' and for the remainder of the hike. Another night at Long Lake with about 20 other hikers and out on Sat. Just a beautiful place. Will drink more next time, just surprised the altitude sickness hit me for the first time. Had the best weather we could have asked for and a great trip for my first timer friend. He wants to try it again. Thanks to all for their help and knowledge.

May I ask what was dicey?

Last time I was down the pass, it was a walk in the park. I'm wondering if there has been some change?

I think I know the part he's referring to. Close to the top there are spots where you have to scramble around some huge boulders. You can either choose to climb up and over them, our kinda put yourself near the edge and scrabble around them. I chose the latter as I'm 5'2" and it was just the easier route for me. Husband went up and over cause he likes the safest routes. If your not comfortable with heights...this section might give you a bit of a start. Look out for lots of volunteer trails that veer off the main trail. Looks like some folks just like to take short cuts!

It was towards the top as we were coming down.. My friend has issues with heights and the drop off - steep sides were difficult for him. He was fine going up NAP but he will not take Army Pass again. The trail was fine for me and others we saw. It is all with the beholder.
Thanks