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food supply. Spending some extra time on Mt
Langley by camping out, also allows for greater
exploration of the many beautiful lakes and
meadow areas. To the left you see Kurt standing
at the Lake 4 trail marker with the Old Army
Pass in the background (which is located just
above the vertical snowfield in the image).
The Old Army Pass is readily accessible via the
unmaintained trail that climbs up the steep slope.
The photo here was taken on August 21, 2006.
As you can see, there is still a remnant of snow
left even this late in the year. In early season the
Old Army Pass ascent will require ice axe and
crampons if you want to get to the top. It is
approximately a 30 degree slope, so this type of
gear is required. But make sure you know how
to self arrest. The boulders at the base would
Langley by camping out, also allows for greater
exploration of the many beautiful lakes and
meadow areas. To the left you see Kurt standing
at the Lake 4 trail marker with the Old Army
Pass in the background (which is located just
above the vertical snowfield in the image).
The Old Army Pass is readily accessible via the
unmaintained trail that climbs up the steep slope.
The photo here was taken on August 21, 2006.
As you can see, there is still a remnant of snow
left even this late in the year. In early season the
Old Army Pass ascent will require ice axe and
crampons if you want to get to the top. It is
approximately a 30 degree slope, so this type of
gear is required. But make sure you know how
to self arrest. The boulders at the base would
create a very abrupt and injurious end to your
slide if you should fail to self arrest and slide
to the bottom.
If you like to fish, the extra time will allow you
to do so. But make sure you check out the
rules and regulations before you start your trip
so you know what bait is allowed, and the
limit on how many fish you can catch. As
noted in other sections of this writeup on Mt
Langley, some lakes are catch and release only.
To the right, you see Russ gearing up with his
collapsible fishing pole to do a little fishing in
one of the lakes above our Lake 3 campsite.
His son Kevin to the left is multi-tasking by
using his time to both fish and sleep at the
same time.
slide if you should fail to self arrest and slide
to the bottom.
If you like to fish, the extra time will allow you
to do so. But make sure you check out the
rules and regulations before you start your trip
so you know what bait is allowed, and the
limit on how many fish you can catch. As
noted in other sections of this writeup on Mt
Langley, some lakes are catch and release only.
To the right, you see Russ gearing up with his
collapsible fishing pole to do a little fishing in
one of the lakes above our Lake 3 campsite.
His son Kevin to the left is multi-tasking by
using his time to both fish and sleep at the
same time.
If you enjoy photography, the Cottonwood
Lakes Basin affords many opportunities for that
also. Early morning provides the best lighting for
you shutterbugs out there.
Due to the heavy traffic and use in the
Cottonwood Lakes area (including stock
animals) water should be filtered or properly
treated for safe drinking. In the picture to the
right, you see us engaging in this activity. We
pumped several gallons of water during our
three day visit on the mountain.
Filtration is the best way to eliminate parasites
like giardia, which can live for weeks or even
months in water sources. For best results, your
backpack filtering system should be able to
remove anything over 1 micron is size.
Lakes Basin affords many opportunities for that
also. Early morning provides the best lighting for
you shutterbugs out there.
Due to the heavy traffic and use in the
Cottonwood Lakes area (including stock
animals) water should be filtered or properly
treated for safe drinking. In the picture to the
right, you see us engaging in this activity. We
pumped several gallons of water during our
three day visit on the mountain.
Filtration is the best way to eliminate parasites
like giardia, which can live for weeks or even
months in water sources. For best results, your
backpack filtering system should be able to
remove anything over 1 micron is size.
High Camp on Mt
Langley is most often
set up in the
Cottonwood Lakes
area for those who
choose to make a two
day or more outing
for climbing Mount
Langley. Even though
a trip to the summit
and back can be
Langley is most often
set up in the
Cottonwood Lakes
area for those who
choose to make a two
day or more outing
for climbing Mount
Langley. Even though
a trip to the summit
and back can be
The image to the left is a picture of Third Lake
and a marking showing where we camped. Also
note the scale of the area by the size of the
people in the lower center portion of the photo.
For high mountain lakes, the Cottonwood Lakes
are pretty good size and there are lots of
campsites available everywhere. So if you like
privacy, you should be able to find a spot to suit
your needs.
We were fortunate to have good weather but
this is not always the case. When in the
mountains, make sure that you always have
some sort of waterproof barrier for your tent or
bivy bag. Storms can come in at any time in the
Sierra Mountains and you always want to be
prepared for it. Getting soaked at high altitude
can be life threatening.
and a marking showing where we camped. Also
note the scale of the area by the size of the
people in the lower center portion of the photo.
For high mountain lakes, the Cottonwood Lakes
are pretty good size and there are lots of
campsites available everywhere. So if you like
privacy, you should be able to find a spot to suit
your needs.
We were fortunate to have good weather but
this is not always the case. When in the
mountains, make sure that you always have
some sort of waterproof barrier for your tent or
bivy bag. Storms can come in at any time in the
Sierra Mountains and you always want to be
prepared for it. Getting soaked at high altitude
can be life threatening.
Russ (right) and his son Kevin work on a great
spaghetti dinner for the group. Activities such as
getting water and preparing dinner help the time
go by when in camp, and will also help you to
acclimate to the high altitude.
One of the big mistakes I often see people do, is
to get into camp early and then crash inside their
tent for the rest of the day. Your oxygen intake
goes down when you do this, and the result can
be dizziness and/or headaches. Staying active
during the daylight hours will usually speed up
the acclimatization process.
This is not only important for feeling good
during the day, but even more so during the
night. A lot lies ahead and a good nights sleep is
vital for the next days hike or climb.
spaghetti dinner for the group. Activities such as
getting water and preparing dinner help the time
go by when in camp, and will also help you to
acclimate to the high altitude.
One of the big mistakes I often see people do, is
to get into camp early and then crash inside their
tent for the rest of the day. Your oxygen intake
goes down when you do this, and the result can
be dizziness and/or headaches. Staying active
during the daylight hours will usually speed up
the acclimatization process.
This is not only important for feeling good
during the day, but even more so during the
night. A lot lies ahead and a good nights sleep is
vital for the next days hike or climb.
Below, Ben is all setup for the night in our two
man tent. Make sure you always have some sort
of thermo pad to place below your sleeping bag.
They are critical for keeping the cold from
coming up through the ground and penetrating
your sleeping bag. We are using Z-pads here for
this purpose.
man tent. Make sure you always have some sort
of thermo pad to place below your sleeping bag.
They are critical for keeping the cold from
coming up through the ground and penetrating
your sleeping bag. We are using Z-pads here for
this purpose.
Additional Mount Langley Links on Timberline Trails
Langley Home Page Getting Started Trailhead Along the Trail Summit
Langley Home Page Getting Started Trailhead Along the Trail Summit
We also usually carry a light weight pillow case for stuffing clothing into. Extra clothing stuffed into these pillow cases make for a
very comfortable night out. Just like home! As the shadows begin to lengthen in the above left hand photo, we begin to anticipate
our hike to the top of Mt Langley the next day. Summit day is always my favorite day in the mountains.
very comfortable night out. Just like home! As the shadows begin to lengthen in the above left hand photo, we begin to anticipate
our hike to the top of Mt Langley the next day. Summit day is always my favorite day in the mountains.
accomplished in one hard day (by those in excellent shape), packing in and establishing a camp in the Cottonwood Lakes area is a
much better way to enjoy your experience on the mountain. There are numerous established sites in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin,
and the ones with sandy bottoms (like above) are excellent for setting up tents. They also provide for a very comfortable nights sleep
because the sand makes for a more giving surface than the hard rocky soils of other areas. Spending the extra night out also helps
with the acclimatization process for going above 14,000 ft the next day, and water is no problem at all, because the lakes are easily
accessible. But if you spend one or more nights out in the wilderness, you must carry along a bear proof canister. They are required
for storing your food and scented items. They are also extremely helpful for keeping the pesky marmots and other critters out of your
much better way to enjoy your experience on the mountain. There are numerous established sites in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin,
and the ones with sandy bottoms (like above) are excellent for setting up tents. They also provide for a very comfortable nights sleep
because the sand makes for a more giving surface than the hard rocky soils of other areas. Spending the extra night out also helps
with the acclimatization process for going above 14,000 ft the next day, and water is no problem at all, because the lakes are easily
accessible. But if you spend one or more nights out in the wilderness, you must carry along a bear proof canister. They are required
for storing your food and scented items. They are also extremely helpful for keeping the pesky marmots and other critters out of your
Mt Langley - High Camp timberlinetrails.net