Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Consolation Hike

Ok, we did not get the permit from the Whitney lottery this year, however I am interested in hiking in the Golden Trout Wilderness to Mt. Langley instead. It is the summit about 5 miles south of Whitney. The campground from the switchbacks from Lone Pine is at approx. 10k feet. My question is this: Can you camp on the trail that travels by the lakes between Mt. Langley and the entry campground? I hiked the lakes last Oct. and noticed people on the trail with packs but did not know where they were camping. Also, what sort of permit is needed? Thanks!! Bears??

You can camp along many of the Cottonwood Lakes. You will need an overnight permit to camp, and they do require bear canisters in that area. They are about 1/2 way to Mt. Langley and vary between 11000 and 11300 feet. South Fork Lakes and Muir Lake are also an option. As you remember the lakes are about 6 miles in and 1100 foot elevation rise.

You can start here

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/wild/howto.shtml

Here is a map of the Cottonwood Lakes area to refresh your memory. http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1245799001061435028nOrAxZ

Thank you, Tiffany, that helps a lot.

Muir Lake is really pretty, and not a difficult hike at all. Some big trout in there, but IIRC it was catch and release only as of last year.

On the map it says No Fires. Does that include camp stove fuel fires, or does it just refer to open fires?

Don't give up on Whitney. There is are the Horseshoe Meadow Passes, which can take as few as 3 days from HM to WP or be there for the 11 AM distribution of cancellations for MMWT.

There are a few basis ways to Mt. Langley, Army or New Army Pass.

For New Army Pass, most will camp around Long Lake but you can camp as higher at High Lake but there are not a lot of good sites and it is exposed to the elements or as low the South Fork Lakes.

For Army Pass, it is pick you poison. From Cottonwood Lake #5 back to Muir or Hidden Lakes. We like to camp closer to the pass than the latter options and use Cottonwood Lake #3 as our base camp for this trip.

You will need a permit for either New Pass Trail or Cottonwood Lakes Trail depending on the pass you choose to go over.

The Cirque Peak 7.5' USGS quad does not show the current trailhead location and the first mile of the CL/NAP Trail from its current trailhead. It is accurate above the S.F. Cottonwood Creek crossing.