The Mt Langley Trail starts at Horseshoe Meadow parking lot (about 10,040 Ft of altitude). The trail is excellent, and
starts off fairly level, and then descends a bit to the golden trout camp area. Here the trail runs level for a while until climbing
out of the basin to the Cottonwood Lakes area at which point you have traveled about six miles on the trail. But before you get
to Cottonwood Lakes, you will see a sign reading New Army Pass. Do not take this option, or you will miss the Cottonwood
Lakes. Once in the Lakes basin, you will come into view of the imposing south face of Mt Langley as seen above. The
Cottonwood Lakes area is a beautiful place to set up camp if you are planning more than a one day trip on Mt Langley. From
the lakes basin, follow the trail and you will end up making a short climb into a smaller lake basin, and then up a steep section
known as Old Army Pass. The pass can be viewed in the upper most left section of the photo above. At the top of the pass,
you will enter into Sequoia National Park. You are now well above timberline, and the unmaintained trail is easy to follow in the
loose gravel along the high plateau. You are almost there, and with a bit more hiking, you come to the base of the summit
block. The trail ends here, and you now must scramble up the last 600 vertical feet (class 2) to reach the summit of Mt Langley
(14,042 Ft). The summit is 10.5 miles from the trailhead with an elevation gain of 4,002 Ft).
starts off fairly level, and then descends a bit to the golden trout camp area. Here the trail runs level for a while until climbing
out of the basin to the Cottonwood Lakes area at which point you have traveled about six miles on the trail. But before you get
to Cottonwood Lakes, you will see a sign reading New Army Pass. Do not take this option, or you will miss the Cottonwood
Lakes. Once in the Lakes basin, you will come into view of the imposing south face of Mt Langley as seen above. The
Cottonwood Lakes area is a beautiful place to set up camp if you are planning more than a one day trip on Mt Langley. From
the lakes basin, follow the trail and you will end up making a short climb into a smaller lake basin, and then up a steep section
known as Old Army Pass. The pass can be viewed in the upper most left section of the photo above. At the top of the pass,
you will enter into Sequoia National Park. You are now well above timberline, and the unmaintained trail is easy to follow in the
loose gravel along the high plateau. You are almost there, and with a bit more hiking, you come to the base of the summit
block. The trail ends here, and you now must scramble up the last 600 vertical feet (class 2) to reach the summit of Mt Langley
(14,042 Ft). The summit is 10.5 miles from the trailhead with an elevation gain of 4,002 Ft).
Mt Langley - Along the Trail
Lots of dust on the lower section of the trail during the summer
months. Our trek took place in mid August 2006.
months. Our trek took place in mid August 2006.
Group hiking though the beautiful Cottonwood Lakes area at
about the six mile mark. Most of the lakes in this area are
catch and release if you are interested in fishing. For
camping, the area is fantastic.
about the six mile mark. Most of the lakes in this area are
catch and release if you are interested in fishing. For
camping, the area is fantastic.
< To the left, Ben (left) and
Sean hiking by the Lake 5
marker just above the lower
Cottonwood lakes basin.
To the right >
Kevin making sure not to put
too much effort into his
fishing.
Photo to the left showing the basin for
lakes 4 and 5. In the background, you
see the Old Army Pass section of the
trail. This trail is not maintained, and
can be a little rough in sections. But
other than being steep, the trail is
quite manageable in the latter summer
months. Early season, you may have a
great deal of snow and ice to deal with,
in which case you should carry an ice
ax and crampons.
< To the left, Ben
approaching the upper
section of the Old Army Pass.
As you can see, it's a bit
rocky near the end.
To the right >
(from right to left) Russ
Kevin, and Ben getting
around a patch of snow.
Russ (left), Ben, Kevin, Dave, and Sean finally at the
top of the pass. At this point, the trail enters Sequoia
National Park.
top of the pass. At this point, the trail enters Sequoia
National Park.
Kurt (foreground) and Sean taking a small early morning
break just below the pass.
break just below the pass.
Russ taking a break near the base of the last part of
the trail just below the summit block. As you can see,
Russ makes good use of the existing rock to make a
pillow, and has no problem getting a little shut eye
anywhere.
the trail just below the summit block. As you can see,
Russ makes good use of the existing rock to make a
pillow, and has no problem getting a little shut eye
anywhere.
After gaining the pass, the group heads north across the high altitude
desert like plateau of Mt Langley. The sandy trail is very atypical of
foot paths at this height, but it is easy on the feet and far different
then a similar section of the Mt Whitney trail. (which is very rocky)
desert like plateau of Mt Langley. The sandy trail is very atypical of
foot paths at this height, but it is easy on the feet and far different
then a similar section of the Mt Whitney trail. (which is very rocky)
< To the left, view of
the Cottonwood Lakes
far below.
< The trail finally ends and
those wanting to reach the
summit must scramble up
the last 600 vertical feet of
class 2 rock before
reaching the top of Mt
Langley.
Photo by Kurt Krebs