kc7sqd - Sep 9, 2013 4:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2013
Great views, NAP
We had a great time climbing Mt. Langley via New Army pass. The trail up New Army Pass is one of the easiest and well-graded passes in the High Sierras. In some spots, however, the grade up the pass is so shallow that long switchbacks are needed to gain elevation. I would be OK with a little steeper grade and shorter trail up New Army Pass. From the pass, it's a long but easy traverse to Mt. Langley. Fun scramble up the class2/3 rocks to get to the summit plateau. The views are amazing from the summit, and we had perfect weather. One of my favorites!
DukeJH - Aug 25, 2013 12:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2013
Sad Day
Hiked from Horseshoe Meadows parking lot, 10 hours from car to car via Old Army Pass. On the summit, found out about Pat Hadley's death. I had planned to hike Cirque Peak but lost the urge. Descended in a smoky haze due to fires in SEKI.
colleenzato - Aug 16, 2013 11:43 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2013
Mount Langley
I wanted to try Mount Langley as it's another 14'er in the Mount Whitney range and I heard it was beautiful. I was so impressed by the beauty, not just at the peak but all along the trail. Once you come out of the trees, you hike through meadows and you pass the prettiest blue lakes. The trail is pretty straight forward and easy on the way up. The last 1,000 feet or so were steeper and there is a bit of scrambling and scree, which added to the fun. I enjoyed Langley a lot more than Whitney. It was not as long of a day, the views were prettier, and there were hardly any people there. I guess it is a well kept secret :)
Donno - Aug 11, 2013 9:58 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 1995
South Slopes
W/ Rahil & Mohi
1997: stormed off w/ Peter in June
jdmorehouse - Aug 5, 2013 2:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2013
Again, and a side trip to Cirque
Although I had climbed this already in June, Lorraine hadn't, and we had an opportunity to climb it with some friends on the 3rd. We set off at 6:30 a.m. through the Cottonwood Lakes and up Old Army Pass. The snow that was still there at the end of June was completely gone. Unlike my last trip (only one other, who came up after me), the summit was quite crowded, with possibly up to 20 people there all at once. We were the only day hikers, to the best of my knowledge, though. When we reached Old Army Pass on the return, I broke off from the group and headed up and over to Cirque Peak and down into the South Fork of Cottonwood Creek drainage and returned to the TH from there. The side trip to Cirque added no extra distance, as the whole hike came in at twenty miles. A fine day.
Vic Hanson - Jul 7, 2013 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2013
1st of 2
Started from Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead about 10:15, hiked up via New Army Pass, went too far to the left on the scramble up the rocks so had to traverse almost the whole summit plateau, took a more direct route down and then climbed Cirque Peak. Got to the summit there about 7:00 pm and then dropped down to the PCT to camp by an unfortunately dry lake. After hiking some on the PCT, camped at Chicken Spring Lake the 2nd night, very delightful!
jdmorehouse - Jun 30, 2013 7:04 pm Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2013
Day Hike
I left the TH at 6:14 a.m. and was on the summit in just over five hours. I took the Old Army Pass route, and it was incredibly scenic going through the Cottonwood Lakes area. Old Army Pass was in reasonably good shape, and only had two patches of snow blocking the trail, but were easily crossed. I went up more to the right of the summit block, ending up gaining around 500' or so climbing through the boulders. Much smoke in the Owens Valley from some wildfire burning in SoCal. On my way back down, the lakes area was mushrooming with back packers and presumably, back packing fishermen. Trout season opens tomorrow (July 1), which might explain the surge in visitors.
royanderson - Mar 9, 2013 1:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2011
Fall from Cottonwood Lakes
I have a trip report on this
MiguelVieira - Nov 14, 2012 12:08 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2007
Loop with Cirque Peak
Hiked via Old Army Pass from camp at Cottonwood Lake 4. Went on to climb Cirque Peak afterward.
Fairweather - Oct 27, 2012 1:32 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2012
Day hike via Old Army
First time out of the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead. Nice gradual approach made for a fun day. Much easier day than Whitney.
MValentine - Oct 1, 2012 1:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2012
Another 14er!
Did a day hike and took the Old Army Pass route. We started out pretty late in the morning so we had to make pretty good time. When we resting up at the peak a glider buzzed the peak and was dangerously close to hitting it (was within about 8 feet or so). We had to hike back in the dark for an hour or so with my headlamp, but all made for an exciting day.
dmusil - Sep 20, 2012 4:16 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2012
1st 14er
Awesome climb. Started at daybreak at the cottonwood lakes trailhead. finished within 11.5 hrs. partner got altitude sickness at old army pass and had to turn back. finished it on my own. amazing up there!
pdx2lax - Sep 17, 2012 4:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2012
Long day!
Last year when we tried Langley we got turned back by weather, not this time around! However, it did get a little dicey, Lenticular cloud in the AM, some dark clouds later in the day when we were on the Summit, but no precip and no thunder. Got up on Friday and spent the night at Horseshoe to acclimate then started early Sat morning (4:30). Went up NAP, but were surprised by the alt difference between NAP and OAP so decided to descend via OAP. No snow on OAP so it was safe but there are parts where if you fell (or slipped on snow) you'd be KIA. Took our time getting down, got back to LA around 2 AM.
muajee - Sep 17, 2012 3:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
via Army Pass
Was having my freaking period but I made it anyways. Did Cirque Pk the day before.
It was a great first 14er. Beautiful camping spot in Cottonwood to spend a night acclimatizing. Definitely recommend an early start on Old Army Pass to get to the ridge for sunrise.
labgloves - Sep 4, 2012 12:23 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2012
Both army passes
Long dayhike with JQ (her first 14er). Up new army, down old army - very nice day overall.
joshvulich - Aug 4, 2012 1:12 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2012
Army Pass
Army Pass is much better than New Army Pass. Over 300 feet you don't have to climb each direction.
JoeK - Aug 3, 2012 2:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2012
Army Pass slog
Quite the loose sandy slog above Army Pass. Pretty easy to find good route towards left of rock band below summit. A lot harder to find the route below Army Pass in early morning darkness :)
started from Cottonwood Lakes #2 at 5:45am. Got to the summit at 8:55am. I did not have enough food and had to borrow one energy bar from the couple (from San Diego) I met on the summit. Thanks!
kc7sqd - Sep 9, 2013 4:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2013
Great views, NAPWe had a great time climbing Mt. Langley via New Army pass. The trail up New Army Pass is one of the easiest and well-graded passes in the High Sierras. In some spots, however, the grade up the pass is so shallow that long switchbacks are needed to gain elevation. I would be OK with a little steeper grade and shorter trail up New Army Pass. From the pass, it's a long but easy traverse to Mt. Langley. Fun scramble up the class2/3 rocks to get to the summit plateau. The views are amazing from the summit, and we had perfect weather. One of my favorites!
brichardsson - Sep 8, 2013 2:36 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2013
great viewsthe drop off north of the summit is impressive
DukeJH - Aug 25, 2013 12:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2013
Sad DayHiked from Horseshoe Meadows parking lot, 10 hours from car to car via Old Army Pass. On the summit, found out about Pat Hadley's death. I had planned to hike Cirque Peak but lost the urge. Descended in a smoky haze due to fires in SEKI.
colleenzato - Aug 16, 2013 11:43 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2013
Mount LangleyI wanted to try Mount Langley as it's another 14'er in the Mount Whitney range and I heard it was beautiful. I was so impressed by the beauty, not just at the peak but all along the trail. Once you come out of the trees, you hike through meadows and you pass the prettiest blue lakes. The trail is pretty straight forward and easy on the way up. The last 1,000 feet or so were steeper and there is a bit of scrambling and scree, which added to the fun. I enjoyed Langley a lot more than Whitney. It was not as long of a day, the views were prettier, and there were hardly any people there. I guess it is a well kept secret :)
Donno - Aug 11, 2013 9:58 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 1995
South SlopesW/ Rahil & Mohi
1997: stormed off w/ Peter in June
jdmorehouse - Aug 5, 2013 2:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2013
Again, and a side trip to CirqueAlthough I had climbed this already in June, Lorraine hadn't, and we had an opportunity to climb it with some friends on the 3rd. We set off at 6:30 a.m. through the Cottonwood Lakes and up Old Army Pass. The snow that was still there at the end of June was completely gone. Unlike my last trip (only one other, who came up after me), the summit was quite crowded, with possibly up to 20 people there all at once. We were the only day hikers, to the best of my knowledge, though. When we reached Old Army Pass on the return, I broke off from the group and headed up and over to Cirque Peak and down into the South Fork of Cottonwood Creek drainage and returned to the TH from there. The side trip to Cirque added no extra distance, as the whole hike came in at twenty miles. A fine day.
Vic Hanson - Jul 7, 2013 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2013
1st of 2Started from Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead about 10:15, hiked up via New Army Pass, went too far to the left on the scramble up the rocks so had to traverse almost the whole summit plateau, took a more direct route down and then climbed Cirque Peak. Got to the summit there about 7:00 pm and then dropped down to the PCT to camp by an unfortunately dry lake. After hiking some on the PCT, camped at Chicken Spring Lake the 2nd night, very delightful!
jdmorehouse - Jun 30, 2013 7:04 pm Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2013
Day HikeI left the TH at 6:14 a.m. and was on the summit in just over five hours. I took the Old Army Pass route, and it was incredibly scenic going through the Cottonwood Lakes area. Old Army Pass was in reasonably good shape, and only had two patches of snow blocking the trail, but were easily crossed. I went up more to the right of the summit block, ending up gaining around 500' or so climbing through the boulders. Much smoke in the Owens Valley from some wildfire burning in SoCal. On my way back down, the lakes area was mushrooming with back packers and presumably, back packing fishermen. Trout season opens tomorrow (July 1), which might explain the surge in visitors.
royanderson - Mar 9, 2013 1:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2011
Fall from Cottonwood LakesI have a trip report on this
MiguelVieira - Nov 14, 2012 12:08 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2007
Loop with Cirque PeakHiked via Old Army Pass from camp at Cottonwood Lake 4. Went on to climb Cirque Peak afterward.
Fairweather - Oct 27, 2012 1:32 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2012
Day hike via Old ArmyFirst time out of the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead. Nice gradual approach made for a fun day. Much easier day than Whitney.
MValentine - Oct 1, 2012 1:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2012
Another 14er!Did a day hike and took the Old Army Pass route. We started out pretty late in the morning so we had to make pretty good time. When we resting up at the peak a glider buzzed the peak and was dangerously close to hitting it (was within about 8 feet or so). We had to hike back in the dark for an hour or so with my headlamp, but all made for an exciting day.
dmusil - Sep 20, 2012 4:16 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2012
1st 14erAwesome climb. Started at daybreak at the cottonwood lakes trailhead. finished within 11.5 hrs. partner got altitude sickness at old army pass and had to turn back. finished it on my own. amazing up there!
pdx2lax - Sep 17, 2012 4:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2012
Long day!Last year when we tried Langley we got turned back by weather, not this time around! However, it did get a little dicey, Lenticular cloud in the AM, some dark clouds later in the day when we were on the Summit, but no precip and no thunder. Got up on Friday and spent the night at Horseshoe to acclimate then started early Sat morning (4:30). Went up NAP, but were surprised by the alt difference between NAP and OAP so decided to descend via OAP. No snow on OAP so it was safe but there are parts where if you fell (or slipped on snow) you'd be KIA. Took our time getting down, got back to LA around 2 AM.
muajee - Sep 17, 2012 3:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
via Army PassWas having my freaking period but I made it anyways. Did Cirque Pk the day before.
Haddadb - Sep 10, 2012 2:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2012
First 14erIt was a great first 14er. Beautiful camping spot in Cottonwood to spend a night acclimatizing. Definitely recommend an early start on Old Army Pass to get to the ridge for sunrise.
labgloves - Sep 4, 2012 12:23 am Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2012
Both army passesLong dayhike with JQ (her first 14er). Up new army, down old army - very nice day overall.
joshvulich - Aug 4, 2012 1:12 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2012
Army PassArmy Pass is much better than New Army Pass. Over 300 feet you don't have to climb each direction.
JoeK - Aug 3, 2012 2:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2012
Army Pass slogQuite the loose sandy slog above Army Pass. Pretty easy to find good route towards left of rock band below summit. A lot harder to find the route below Army Pass in early morning darkness :)
mengbo - Jul 29, 2012 7:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2012
From Cottonwood Lakesstarted from Cottonwood Lakes #2 at 5:45am. Got to the summit at 8:55am. I did not have enough food and had to borrow one energy bar from the couple (from San Diego) I met on the summit. Thanks!