Thanks again for all the other suggestions regarding alternate hikes. They'll come in handy in the coming months, if not on this trip! The Saddlebag Lake hike looks particularly scenic, but the resort website says that the road is still closed. I emailed them to see if this is actually the case.

Originally Posted By: 2600fromatari
Looks like I was wrong. Someone found NAP passable but OAP not.

Thanks for the heads up, as well as the info on the routes approaching the summit of Langley.

Originally Posted By: Bulldog34
..you might want to consider renting a condo...

Thanks - not sure why I hadn't thought of that! We're hiking Clouds Rest in August. I'll have to think about a condo for that trip.

I spoke with my father-in-law last night after discussing the options, I think we've finally made a decision. The plan is for us to hike Mt. Dana as our 'peak' then hike MWMT up to trail camp so that he can gain some familiarity with the trail. He will be back out here in early October, so I hope getting him on that trail will ease his anxiety a bit.

I was thinking it might be fun/useful to practice with an ice axe and crampons while in the Mammoth or Yosemite area, then do the same at Trail Camp. If the snow comes early this fall, it would be nice to have some more experience under our belts.

Is Dana a place where we could practice, assuming there's enough snow? Are there any spots closer to Mammoth? The gondola on Mammoth Mtn doesn't open until June 13. A customer service rep told me we aren't allowed on the ski slopes.