 |
|
|
| Horseshoe Meadow, Cottonwood Lakes, Mt Langley Update
|
the hike: |
|
Horseshoe Meadow, Cottonwood Lakes, Mt Langley (backpacking) |
| date: |
|
7/13/2001 - 7/15/2001 |
| location: |
|
Inyo NF (Golden Trout Wilderness, John Muir Wilderness), Sierras, California, USA |
| type: |
|
Various |
| distance: |
|
car to camp (7/13): 4.6 Mi
camp to stop on Langley (7/14): 3.8 Mi
stop on Langley to top of Langley (7/14): 0.9 Mi
stop on Langley back to camp (7/14): 4.1 Mi
camp to Muir Lake (7/14): 1.8 Mi
Muir Lake to car (7/15): 6.4 Mi
All distances above are estimates from map |
| hiking Langley from camp: |
|
Start time: 10:30 am
Stop on Langley: 1:20 pm
Top of Langley: ~2:00 pm
Sit on cliff: 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm
Back at camp: 3:50 pm |
| parking elev: |
|
10,000 ft |
| camp elev: |
|
11,028 ft |
| sit on cliff elev: |
|
12,512 ft |
| stop elev: |
|
12,815 ft |
| my high elev: |
|
12,850 ft |
| Mt Langley elev: |
|
14,042 ft (14,027 ft ?) |
| coordinates: |
|
truck: N 36°26.875'; W 118°10.229'
camp in meadow: N 36°29.567'; W 118°12.189'
stop on Langley: N 36°30.823'; W 118°14.313'
cliff: N 36°30.508'; W 118°14.345' |
|
| difficulty: |
|
trail to meadow/camp:***.5
Langley hike:****.5
Overall:***.5 |
| scenic: |
|
trail to meadow/camp:***.5
Langley hike:*****
Overall:****.5 |
| technical: |
|
trail to meadow/camp:*
Langley hike:**.5
Overall:*.5 |
|
| driving directions: |
|
From southern California, drive north on Hwy 395 to Lone Pine, CA. Make a left on Whitney Portal Rd. (signal) and go a few miles to Horseshoe Meadow Rd. Make a left here and go up the mountain to the end of the road at the parking lot (quite a few miles on this switchbacking road). |
|
| hiking route: |
|
Look on a map and take the trail that heads towards Cottonwood Lakes. The section before you reach a meadow (about 4 miles in) is steeper and has switchbacks. |
|
| details: |
|
We (Jerry, Eden, Brian, Matt) planned to camp near Hidden Lake or Muir Lake the first night, but it got dark on us and we were tired so we stopped at the beginning of a large meadow just shy of all the lakes maybe 50 ft beyond where the trail spilts for Muir & Cottonwood Lakes. We camped that night on a large flat rock just off the trail. It got kind of cold and a little windy that night, ~40°F. Didn't sleep to well. It was colder than we had prepared for (t-shirts). Next day (7/14), me and Jerry went to hike Mt Langley from our camp site while Eden and Brian stayed behind. We did not hike on a trail to get to Mt Langley. We cut up a steep canyon in the corner of the flat valley. This is the "canyon" that is north of Old Army Pass, which is north of New Army Pass. There is one "canyon" north of the "canyon" we took. We named this "canyon" or gully the "butt rock" way. Pretty much near the base of it there is a large flat rock that looks like a saggy ol' butt. We took the way that appeared to be the easiest way, not realizing at the time that any trails existed to Mt. Langley. We only knew the name of the mountain from another backpacker. We had no plans of doing this hike until we did it. I started getting dizzy near the top of this canyon (called "cliff" above). We kept going but I had pressure building up in my lungs, was dizzy, and very short of breath & since we were camping at 11,000+ ft that night I figured I better stop. I know I could have made it because overall, I was feeling a lot better than I did when I hiked San Gorgonio. So I stopped there at 12,815 ft, about 0.8 miles from the peak. Jerry went on to the peak. I decided to drop some elevation rather than just sit around and wait, so I went back to the top of the "cliff" to knock off a few feet & I was feeling okay now. I sat on the cliff for 50 min until Jerry showed up. We slid down the steep canyon and took a trail that winds around the Cottonwood Lakes back to camp. We had lunch and then the four of us went to Muir lake to camp that night. We camped on a beach-like area on the backside of the lake. I set up my tent this night to try to stay a little warmer. Brian and Jerry had a rock fight; Brian's bad aim caused rocks to hit my tent a few times, then I attacked him. Earlier, we (Jerry, Brian, Matt) jumped in Muir lake it was refreshingly cool. The outside temp was about 58-62°F with wind and that was cold getting out & drying off. Always fun though. We left the next morning around 8 am and were back at the truck at 10:30 am. It was a real good time out there and very beautiful. There are quite a few people that use the trails out there and that camp and backpack near the lakes. It is very scenic near the lakes. Above timberline is like it is anywhere I guess, cold, windy, wasteland appearance. I saw a spider at about 12,500 ft. Although the area has a secluded feeling, other people are common sights out here. Most of the other people are backpackers, some day-hikers, and some fisherman.
On our hike to Mt Langley, we saw lots of cool rocks, lots of giant boulders to climb over, under, between. In one boulder field, there was a rapidly running stream maybe 15 feet under the boulders which even had small waterfalls. From our meadow campsite, Mt. Langley looks deceivingly small and close. Snow patches on Mt Langley varied in thickness from about 1 ft thick to what appeared to be more than 8 ft thick. The snow that I saw had large step-like divits in it. Nearer the peak, Jerry saw snow patches that had sharp conical jagged peaks all over it. |
|
| trail condition: |
|
Very good where present |
|
| forest: |
|
Mostly lodgepole pine (in fact, that is the only tree I remember seeing). Many interesting types of flowers, and other unusual looking plants. A few ferns. One plant had a tropical appearance. The water is beautiful and clear. It is like paradise out there. |
|
| what sucked: |
|
Mosquitoes were as dense as a very annoying density of gnats up to about 11,200 ft with maximum density at about 10,200 ft to 10,900 ft. Thankfully they went away at night. They were worst during the first evening walking into camp. |
|
|
under construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
* * * * OUTDOOR PRODUCTS ON SALE * * * * |
|
|
|
|
We have partnered with OutdoorsSearch.com to bring you the best deals on all your favorite outdoor products. Check out the products below.
|
Bicycling
Bicycles/Frames, Bike Transport, Books/CD's/Video, Camping, Clothing, Components-MTN, Components-Road, Electronics, Gifts, Glasses, Helmets, Hydration, Indoor Storage, Lights, Locks, Mirrors & Fenders, Nutrition, Packs/Racks, Personal Care Products, Pumps, Saddles, Shoes, Strollers/Trailers/Child Seats, Tires/Tubes, Tools/Lubes/Workstands, Trainers, Wheelsets
Boating
Anchor and Docking, Boat Accessories, Boat Lighting and Accessories, Boat Yard Accessories, Cleaning, Painting and Accessories, Controls and Steering Systems, Decals, Flags and Accessories, Electrical Accessories, Electronics & Accessories, Fishing Accessories, Flotation Devices and Harnesses, Fuel Tanks and Accessories, Instruments, Compasses and Accessories, Ladders and Swim Platforms, Marine Hardware and Tools, Motor Accessories, Props and Accessories, Pumps, Hoses and Fittings, Safety Devices, Seats, Covers and Accessories, Sierra Motor Accessories, Trailering, Trolling Motors and Accessories, Water Sports and Accessories
Climbing
Aid Climbing, Bouldering, Ice Climbing, Sport Climbing, Traditional Climbing
First Aid & Survival
Automobile, Communication, Emergency Kits, Evacuation & Fire, First Aid Kits, First Aid Supplies, Food, Lighting & Heating, Miscellaneous, Sanitary Supplies, Search & Rescue, Shelter & Sleeping, Storage Items, Survival Kits, Tools, Water & Accessories
Gardening
Birding, etc., Composting, Flower Gardening, Furniture, Greenhouses & Sheds, Landscape Plants, Landscaping, Pest Control, Pots & Planters, Seedstarting, Solar Solutions, Tools, Vegetable Gardening, Watering, Weather, Wellness, Yard Clean-Up
|
|
Hiking/Camping
Backpacks, Camping Furniture, Car Racks, Cookware, Food, Handheld Radios, Knives and Tools, Lighting, Luggage, Navigation, Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Pads, Stoves, Summer Accessories, Sunglasses-Goggles, Tents, Watches, Water Treatment
Outdoor Clothing
Clothing Accessories, Gloves, Hats, Hunting Clothes, Kid's Summer Clothing, Kid's Winter Clothing, Men's Footwear, Men's Jackets, Men's Pants, Men's Shirts, Men's Shorts, Women's Footwear, Women's Jackets, Women's Pants, Women's Shirts, Women's Shorts
Outdoor Living
Address Markers and Mail Boxes, Aprons, Arbors, Awnings, Backpacks, Barbecues, Benches, Bird Baths & Feeders, Deck Boxes, Firewood Racks, Fountains, Garage and Yard Helpers, Garden Tools, Gazebos, Gliders, Greenhouses, Grilling and Fireplaces, Hammocks, Home Enhancements, Hose Holders, Metal Detectors, Night Vision, Occasional Furniture, Outdoor Accents, Outdoor Accessories, Outdoor Cleaning, Outdoor Clocks, Outdoor Fireplaces, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Lights, Outdoor Thermometers, Patio Accessories, Patio Dining Sets, Pest Control, Pet Care, Picnic Baskets, Plant Stands, Planter Boxes, Playground & Swing Sets, Potting Benches, Side Tables, Storage Benches, Swings, Tables And Chairs, Umbrellas, Weathervanes, Wicker and Metal Patio Furniture, Wooden Patio Furniture
Paddling
Essentials, Kayak Clothing, Kayaks, Paddles
Snow Sports
Alpine Skiing, Alpine Touring, Avalanche Safety, Backcountry Snowboarding, Cross Country Skiing, Gravity Sports, Snowboard Accessories, Snowboard Bindings, Snowboard Boots, Snowboards, Snowshoes, Telemark Skiing, Winter Accessories
Sporting
Archery, Fishing, Hunting, Paintball, Shooting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
* * * FIRST AID & SURVIVAL SUPPLIES * * * * |
|
|
|
|
Stock
up on survival and first
aid supplies today! Manufacturers of survival, emergency
and first
aid kits are struggling to keep up with the growing
demand. This is especially true for meals
ready to eat (MRE's) and other long lasting
food & water.
These products have a 5 year shelf life and are in extremely high
demand. The U.S. Military is currently purchasing many
of the warehouse stockpiles of high calorie food and prepackaged
water for their use. Make sure that you are supplied for you,
your family, and friends. Get your supplies before they run
out!
You need to be prepared because homeland
security may become jeopardized. Why wait until it's too late.
It's a small investment on products that will last many years
to ensure that you have the means to survive if necessary.
VISIT
RAYTECH SURVIVAL & FIRST
AID TODAY TO GET WHAT YOU NEED TO SURVIVE BEFORE IT'S TOO
LATE.
Raytech's
prices are up to 30% LESS than other first aid and
survival suppliers!!
Get your survival
supplies!
Raytech offers high
calorie food bars approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. But what
good is food without water? Water is one of the fundamentals of
life in addition to food. That's why Raytech offers a selection
of prepackaged
water with a 5-year shelf life. Raytech also offers a
full line of first aid supplies and bull horns.
Consider what would happen if our water supplies were tainted
with a chemical or biological agent. Make sure that you know
the water you drink and give to your children is free from contaminants.
Do yourself a favor and stock up on high calorie food bars today.
In addition to emergency
food and water supplies, Raytech offers a complete line
of survival and first
aid equipment including: 1-20 person emergency
kits, 1-1000 person first
aid and trauma kits, first
aid supplies to refil a first aid kit, automobile
emergency supplies, solar
and hand powered radios, emergency lighting
supplies, fire
extinguishers, emergency
escape hoods, portable
toilets and sanitary
supplies, search
and rescue supplies and equipment, tents,
long
burning candles, 20-year
shelf life batteries, and more.
Click
here for Raytech's Survival & First Aid Product List
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
