Please wait while photos Load.
Mt Langley Trailhead marks the start of a great adventure into beautiful meadows, lakes, and alpine terrain. Most people aim for
Mt Whitney, and Whitney is certainly a noteworthy and great peak to climb, but I personally would consider the Mt Langley Trail
more beautiful. The trail takes you almost all the way to the summit of Mount Langley except for the last 300 vertical feet which
must be gained by means of a scrambling up class two rock. The distance from the trailhead at Horseshoe Meadows to the top of
Mount Langley is about 10.5 miles. As mentioned on the Getting Started Page, camping is allowed on the grounds near the
trailhead for a $6.00 fee, and bear boxes and toilets are provided along with ample parking.
Make sure you store your unattended food properly in the provided bear boxes. Also, do not leave items such as ice chests visible
in the vehicle. Even when empty, bears have more than enough experience to know that containers such as ice chests usually
contain food. A wilderness permit is required for all overnight camping once on the trail, and can be obtained at any of the Ranger
stations along highway 395.
Mt Whitney, and Whitney is certainly a noteworthy and great peak to climb, but I personally would consider the Mt Langley Trail
more beautiful. The trail takes you almost all the way to the summit of Mount Langley except for the last 300 vertical feet which
must be gained by means of a scrambling up class two rock. The distance from the trailhead at Horseshoe Meadows to the top of
Mount Langley is about 10.5 miles. As mentioned on the Getting Started Page, camping is allowed on the grounds near the
trailhead for a $6.00 fee, and bear boxes and toilets are provided along with ample parking.
Make sure you store your unattended food properly in the provided bear boxes. Also, do not leave items such as ice chests visible
in the vehicle. Even when empty, bears have more than enough experience to know that containers such as ice chests usually
contain food. A wilderness permit is required for all overnight camping once on the trail, and can be obtained at any of the Ranger
stations along highway 395.
Here you see the group standing at the starting point for the
Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead. Please note that the sign here
also states "New Army Pass Trail." A few miles up you
will come to a fork in the trail. The southern trail that goes
to the left will take you to the New Army Pass and South
Fork Lakes. To the right (north) leads to the Old Army Pass
and the Cottonwood Lakes basin.
We choose to go right (north) and traveled the way of
Cottonwood Lakes and reached the summit plateau via Old
Army Pass. This route is more direct, and in my opinion
more beautiful than the southern route.
The only downside to the Old Army Pass route is that the
trail from Cottonwood Lakes basin over the pass is
Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead. Please note that the sign here
also states "New Army Pass Trail." A few miles up you
will come to a fork in the trail. The southern trail that goes
to the left will take you to the New Army Pass and South
Fork Lakes. To the right (north) leads to the Old Army Pass
and the Cottonwood Lakes basin.
We choose to go right (north) and traveled the way of
Cottonwood Lakes and reached the summit plateau via Old
Army Pass. This route is more direct, and in my opinion
more beautiful than the southern route.
The only downside to the Old Army Pass route is that the
trail from Cottonwood Lakes basin over the pass is
unmaintained. However, the Old Army Pass Route seemed
perfectly fine to me, and there are certainly plenty of folks
that take this option so the path seems well worn.
In the photo to the right you see backpackers loaded up and
heading into the John Muir wilderness. The trail marker
indicating that you are entering protected wilderness is not
far from the trailhead.
The trail starts off fairly level and you should make good
progress at this stage of the adventure. Lots of little streams
and log crossings early on, and the gentle start is great for
getting warmed up for the time when things turns upward
and steeper.
perfectly fine to me, and there are certainly plenty of folks
that take this option so the path seems well worn.
In the photo to the right you see backpackers loaded up and
heading into the John Muir wilderness. The trail marker
indicating that you are entering protected wilderness is not
far from the trailhead.
The trail starts off fairly level and you should make good
progress at this stage of the adventure. Lots of little streams
and log crossings early on, and the gentle start is great for
getting warmed up for the time when things turns upward
and steeper.
Additional Mount Langley Links on Timberline Trails
Langley Home Page Getting Started Along the Trail High Camp Summit
Langley Home Page Getting Started Along the Trail High Camp Summit
Mt Langley - Trailhead timberlinetrails.net