Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion pre-trip camping at Horseshoe Meadows/ Cottonwood Pass trail

I'm doing a trip to Whitney starting at the Cottonwood Pass TH. I'm planning on camping the night before we leave, at Horseshoe Meadows/or the Cottonwood Pass/Lakes trailhead areas, then leaving my car there til we return (we're coming back that way too). I want to camp there on Sat Aug 31 - we start the trip on Sun Sept 1. Since that's a holiday weekend, do you think the sites will get filled - and if so, what's the best strategy for securing a spot? I see it's a one night stay limit, but I imagine there'll be day hikers up there too.

Thanks.

Parking has never been an issue at Horseshoe Meadow...other than getting a spot close to the trailhead or your campsite.

I've been up there both 4th of July and Labor Day weekends.

There are two independent camp-grounds in the Horseshoe Meadows valley.
1. Cottonwood Lakes TH CG
2. Horseshoe Meadows CG

In my experience their popularity corresponds to the above sequence. I have never seen both of them filled, and though popular, the Horseshoe Meadows area still remains over-shadowed by such trail head campgrounds as Whitney Portal and Onion Valley, and unlike Onion Valley the Horseshoe Meadows Valley has two campgrounds. I think you will be fine, you may need to bounce around a little, but you should be fine.

I was up there on 8/17. The Cottonwood Lakes TH parking lot and sites were full. Horseshoe Meadows was nearly empty.

Actually, there are 3. Add the equestrian.

Thank you so much everybody, can't wait :-)