Date: 8/1/2015
Type: Hiking, Rock Scrambling
Who went - Brian, Dan, Eric, Joe, Rishi, Mike, Jared, and Me (Jim)
So, it is claimed that of all of California's 14ers, Mt. Langley is the second easiest to hike. And while that may be true, it is still a hike that should not be taken too lightly. For several years now, when asked how Langley compares to Whitney, I would say that I thought Langley was a lot more scenic, and this hike really seemed to reinforce my opinion.
Our hike started at the Cottonwood Lakes trail head at 6:45 a.m. The forecast called for 1.3 inches of rain for the day, but the morning was just perfect. The first part of our hike is in a wooded (but not to dense) forest and ascends at a fairly comfortable level along the Cottonwood Creek for about 4.5 miles and 600 feet of elevation gain. Here is where we reached a fork in the trail, go left and you hike up New Army Pass, or go right and hike up Old Army Pass. We chose Old Army Pass, and I highly recommend it. This takes you along the Cottonwood Lakes, which are pristine and beautiful.
While we were climbing the rocks, we were keeping an eye on the dark heavy clouds that had been lingering above the peak and were noticing that they seemed to be moving in. By the time we reached the summit plateau we were beginning to get some hail, and upon reaching the peak, we were in a full-blown hail storm.
Images
Video
- Try my High-Altitude Cocktail (Caffeine, Advil, Sugar, and Electrolytes)
- The last place to fill up on water before the main ascent is at Cottonwood Lakes #4.
- If you are ever debating whether to filter your water, see note below.
- There is no cell coverage up here, so if you are meeting people up here, have a communication plan ahead of time.
- Horseshoe Meadows (No Reserve, Walk-in, Location, and Info) - This is a mostly walk in campground which is first come first serve. If you get in late and are hiking early in the morning and just need a few hours of sleep, I recommend boondocking it. As long as you can find a parking place, there is plenty of space to just plop down a cot or sleeping bag and crash. Or sleep in the car for that matter.
- Alabama Hills - Under a tree or by the creek.
- Lone Pine Campground () - Not recommended since the drive from this campground would probably take about 45 minutes to an hour.
Dining
- Pizza Factory
- Alabama Hills Cafe (Incredible Breakfast)- 111 West Post Street, Lone Pine (760) 876-4675
Links
"Should I Filter?"
So, before this hike, I have been really pushing the envelope when it comes to filtering my water from various sources. When we reached Cottonwood Lake #4 (the last source of water), I filled up from a moving water source which seemed safe (and may have been), but what I was not investigating is where this moving water source was coming from. Well, it was coming directly from the stagnant, yet pristine looking, lake itself. My guess is that this water was a bit tainted. Now, I am not sure if it was the water or a little altitude sickness, but I was feeling pretty destroyed on the hike back down. Upon getting home, I was pretty much laid out and semi-bedridden for 2 weeks. My advice - Filter, filter, filter!
Life is an adventure, now get out and live it!