Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Cottonwood Lakes to Mount Whitney

Last week myself and two other friends did the Cottonwood Lakes to Mt. Whitney trip.

Here was our route:
Day 1: Cottonwood Lakes TH to Cottonwood Lake #3
Day 2: Up Army Pass, dropped packs and summited Mount Langley via a class 2-3 scramble most the way up, returned via the regular trail. Went back to packs and then down to Soldier Lake and camped there.
Day 3: From Soldier Lake, past Rock Creek, Over Guyot Pass, down to Crabtree, and up to Guitar Lake.
Day 4: Climbed up to the Trail Crest Junction, dropped packs, climbed Mt. Muir and then on to Whitney. Pack to our packs and hiked all the way out.

Went into Lone Pine and ate at the Pizza Place, then got a room at the Dow Villa Motel for $42, the pool and spa were definitely a nice way to relax with a cooler of beer.

Day 3 was a real tough one for us, just seemed like ups and downs all day. If you wanted to stretch it out a bit more I would say to camp between Guyot Flat and Crabtree Meadow. We loved Guitar Lake, took a COLD quick swim in it, but that was our favorite camp.

We were going to camp at Outpost Camp on the way down, but you know that one goes, hmm...2 hours and I can have a burger and beer.

Army Pass was a bit exciting with the snow on it still, we talked with a ranger the day before and she said it was good to go and you didn't need ice axe or crampons. We didn't have a problem with it, but I could see how someone a bit afraid of exposure and some scrambling/climbing could have a real problem with it. There were 2 day hikers that were headed up to Langley as well that avoided the last snow scramble/climb by heading up to the ridge line before the snow and it worked for them, only took about 5 more minutes.

You can look at my pictures here:
Link to Pictures

For the full trip report it's here:
Trip Report

Just wanted to say thanks to all of those that have put out info on the area, it was a big help while planning for this.

-TIM-

Great photos, thanks for sharing those. I have a question about picture #18: what kind of tent is that? It looks lightweight and comfy. Thanks.

The yellow tent is the Black Diamond Lighthouse. It is now my favorite tent. It's huge using it as a solo tent, I put all of my gear inside. It's pretty heavy duty, it has no vestibule, so it is complelty free standing. I picked up mine for $164 at a REI Garage sale otherwise they are pricey, about $350. They do sell a heavy duty vestibule if you want it as an ad on.

It's a single wall, but I've had no more problems with condensation than with any other tent. Our night at Guitar Lake all 3 of our tents had condensation. But our night at Soldier Lake we got a good amount of rain, but a bigger amount of wind as well, none of the tents were even wet in the morning.

The Lighthouse is pretty light for is size as well: it's about 3.5 lbs and 31 sq feet. Can't beat that IMO.

Sorry I have a gear problem, could talk for days about tents.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to REI on Monday, will check out the Diamond Lighthouse. It's listed right now for $370, so you got a great price.

any good campsites at Rock Creek crossing of the PCT

There are a number of campsites near the crossing

I own and have used a Diamond Lighthouse for two seasons now. Awesome tent, plenty of room for myself and my gear, even when it's raining.

REI still sells them, but only for a limited time, as I think they are going to be discontinued.

And yes, it is lightweight and comfy.

I just walked by the area and so didn't pay close attention to campsites, this is what my friend said who stayed there 2 weeks ago.

"Good campsites and bear box there. Area is right next to the crossing. There are other campsites more hidden away up and down the creek, I was told, due to the fact it is good fishing."

Hey there,
We are planning to go through the lakes through NAP, is that the Army Pass you were talking about??
We are starting @ Horseshoe to Cottonwood Lakes, to NAP to south Soldier Lakes To Rock Creek and to Guyot, Guitar to Summit and down to WP. Are there better routes or suggestions? Is the mile cut off well marked on NAP?
thanks,
bumps

Well I've never actually taken NAP, but Army Pass is an unmaintained trail. Steep and lots of loose scree. When we did it we had to traverse across a few snowfields where a slip could be real bad. At the top there was some climbing/scrambling right at the snow line. It made me uncomfortable and I'm normally fine with that type of stuff.

This was on the 17th I think when we did it so quite a bit of snow may be melted by your trip so I guess it's just personal preference. But I think it only cuts off like a mile, so may not be worth it.

Davis,

We are considering doing this trip (without the side trip up Langley) in three days. Our group is in pretty good condition. For example, last year we were humping 15+ mile days with full packs over Forrester Pass

Here is our plan:
Day 1 Horseshoe Meadow trailhead to Solider Lake. Day 2 Solidier Lake to Guitar Lake. Day 3 Summit and out. You mentioned in one of your posts that Soldier Lakes to Guitar Lakes was difficult. Do you have an estimate on mileage and elevation changes for that leg of the trip? If you were us, would you try to go a little further on day 1 to cut down length on day 2? If so, where would you camp on day 1?

Thanks

No I think you should be fine with that route. Day 1 would be a real long one then since your already going all the way to soldier lake.

You may want to look into taking the route over Cottonwood Pass (Lower than NAP or AP), I haven't done it myself but Richard just did that the same week as us. Look for his post a few days ago on it.

I don't have map in hand to see how much you would actually benifit from it, I think the mileage is a wash but it's less climbing I believe.

Tim,

the red flower on page 1 is a "snow flower". see the link for more:

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/pljune97.htm#snow

I also picked up a Black Diamond Firstlight tent at the REI sale for $150...a steal! FYI-They don't usually sell them at the Calif REI's because they are not up the fire retardant standards here. Mine is a little smaller...weighs in at around 3.5 lbs with the poles! Love my tent too!

Thanks for the pictures..I hope to do that route one of these days!

Davis,

This trip seems like a good mix of scenery, physical challenge and not too much time away from home.

Thanks for the help.

heart_of_a_tiger:

I have made the trip from Cottonwood Meadows to Whitney Portal twice (1997 and 2003). Both times up and over NAP, down to the lower Rock Creek area, through Crabtree Meadows, Guitar Lake up to Whitney and down to the Portal. If you want an easier, shorter way I would propose the following (You could confirm this with Richard Piotrowski on this message board...his pictures of that route are <a href="http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/gallery/1697021">here</a>. He did this route a few weeks ago when he joined up with Bob R. and company...<a href="http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004745">TR here</a>):

DAY 1: Cottonwood Meadows, up over Cottonwood Pass and follow the PCT route to lower Rock Creek area (Perrin Creek) Great campsite here with a bear box on the South side of the creek.
Highest elevation = 11,514 ft.
distance = 12.41 miles
elevation gain = 2,063ft. elevation loss = 2,401ft.

DAY 2: Continue following PCT up over Guyot Pass (Fill with water at Guyot Creek- last water until Crabtree Meadows!), pass Crabtree Meadows, Timberline Lake and Guitar Lake. Camp approx. 3/4 mile above Guitar (easy water source and closer to the summit the next day)
Highest elevation = 11,600ft.
distance = 9.22 miles
elevation gain = 2,865ft. elevation loss = 864ft.

DAY 3: Leave early for the summit (3.74 miles away) up the switchbacks of the West side. Drop your packs at Trail Junction, summit and hike the additional 11 miles back to Whitney Portal.
Highest elevation = 14,497ft.
distance = 14.74 miles
elevation gain = 3,831ft. elevation loss = 7,120ft.

Obviously the last day is the toughest but well worth the effort. Just m2c. The scenery is spectacular and a great way to see Mt. Whitney.

DrHabes,

This is extremely useful information.

Thank you so much!

Yes!

Guitar Lake!

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say it ever remotely resembled anything warm ... I've not swam in it yet, but the thing must be chilly as heck year round ....

I'm hoping to be there in ... oh, ,,,, perhaps a couple of weeks ...

Great gallery!