Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes Trail and New Army Pass Trail
11.6 mi
Distance
5 hrs 48 min
Time
terrain
4,055 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult one way trail to Mount Langley in John Muir Wilderness.
This trail goes by Cottonwood Lake #1, Cottonwood Lake #2, Long Lake, High Lake, New Army Pass, and Old Army Pass.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Solo hiked Weds 09/28/2023 – Drove up and camped at Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead the night before and got an early start with a very bright Harvest Moon. The New Army Pass Trail is very postcard scenic along the Cottonwood Lakes (1 &2), Long Lake and High Lake. It takes you for a stroll before making you work a little on the switchbacks up to the pass. From New Army Pass to the Soldier Creek Trail Junction, it’s a normal hike. Then you really climb and scramble the rest of the way to the summit on some good rock with sand/loose scree between, very strenuous at altitude but a fun route. With warm, very clear weather and little wind, the 360° views from the summit were stunning with Whitney looking closer than its 5 miles would suggest. The 4 x 4 x 6 foot pyramid cairns marking the start of the scramble and last stretch up are not only helpful but works of art. Thought about climbing the NE face of Cirque Peak on the way down after lunch at New Army Pass but decided, based on time, to save it for another fun day. The type of day in the Sierra that lures you back. Logged 24.1 miles/4944 vertical ft. with Gaia
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Public Tracks
Mt. Langley and Cottonwood Lakes
New Army Pass is easier/safer than Old Army Pass
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