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

Greetings. I will be heading up to Langley this Friday, 6/5. I know there was some snow in the eastern Sierras a couple weeks back. Has anyone been up to Langley and seen the conditions? We plan to ascend New Army Pass and are wondering if an axe and crampons will be required.

Thank you.

Hi I will try to fill in some background conditions from past trips, You should be OK to New Army but the last storms may have covered the pass and you may find a small cornice ,this would be normal , you can pass the cornice several ways depending on conditions East/or West.
All the South facing section of the bowl heading to Langley should be clearing if not clear. Weather report says we may have another system moving in so all this could change.

Ax and crampons are very light so if you have these bring them also a set of Hillsound spikes may work for most of the trail since the area is fairly flat terrain.

For illustration purposes only. Do not attempt.

I am also attempting to hike Langley via Old Army Pass Cottonwood Lakes on June 20. Any recent info would be greatly appreciated.

Well I am off to Horseshoe Meadows TH parking lot to spend a few hrs sleeping before I make for the summit of Mt. Langley. I spoke to the rangers and I was told that Old Army Pass is pretty socked in with snow, but NAP is wide open. Temps in the 60's on the summit. WooHoo!

Doug, it was really nice to finally meet you last weekend!

-HH

I hiked Langley on June 20. 23.5 miles RT 16 hrs. New Army Pass was the way to go because OAP was snowed in at the top. I took the South Fork Lakes shortcut trail which is located 1.2 miles from the TH. Beautiful hot day. Up near the peak the Forest Service has set up a system of cairns. These are giant cairns bigger than me. If you follow them they will lead you up the shortest class 2/3 section and eventually up to the top. I have to thank them as this is a crazy summit to negotiate otherwise for a day hiker. Beautiful set of cairns, easy access, thank you Forest Service.