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

Hello - I was thinking on completing Mt. Langley sometime in mid Aug. during a weekday. Could you folks please answer some of my questions ?

1. How hard is it to get a one day permit and how much does it cost ?
2. Where do you recommend to camp the night before the dayhike ? Do you beleive there will be campsites advailable?
3. How far is the hike from start to finish ? Is it an easy trail ?
4. Is there plenty of water to filter along the way ?

I just finished Whitney and wanted to try another dayhike prior to summer ending. Thanks in advance

1. You don't need a permit for a day hike.
2. Horseshoe meadows. There are 2 walk in campgrounds. I have never seen them full.
3. Its about 20 miles, but only 4000' of gain. (via Army Pass )It is fairly easy. Once you reach Army Pass, the trail becomes hard to see, but by then you can see you destination .
4. There is plenty of water up until mile 6.5 (start of Army Pass).

You access the pass Mrkmac is showing from Cottonwood Lake 4. Don't take the left branch to NEW Army Pass (that is from Long Lake), but stay on the trail that is to your right of the first three lakes. If you see lakes and you are on the left side, you can get over to the other side between lake 1 and 2. You shave a mile or so and some wasted altitude gain.

Once you leave Lake 4, its dry all the way. You cross water once about 1/2 way to first lake.

You can probably sleep in your car in the parking lot. The walk in campground is/was $5. Wouldn't surprise me if more now. If you are doing a day hike, you might be best if getting a good nights sleep at Tuttle Creek at around 6,000' instead of 10,000'. Then drive up in early morning. About 45min drive.

The most recent Cirque Peak map, which you will need along with a Mt. Langley, has the Cottonwood Lakes misnumbered and the trailhead in the wrong location. Check the infomation board for both.

Is it an easy trail? Yes and no, all the way to about 12,500' it's pretty damn easy, then there are about 30 trails because every has his own way to the class 2 routes up the mountain, which are to the northwest.