Hi, we are planning on summitting Langley in 2 weeks, going up Old Army Pass and down New Army Pass, as we read there is no snow on Old Army now.
Is there a place to filter water after the Cottonwood Lakes to Old Army Pass? Approximately how many miles is it from the last lake to the summit on Old Army Pass and how much time would it take at a slow, steady pace?
We researched online but we do not find any detailed guides as we could for Whitney.
If we started at 3am, how long would the entire take roughly take, from the parking lot to the summit and back?
I appreciate all your advice and info!
Janet
Per CalTopo, the distance from the trailhead to the top of Old Army pass is 7.6 miles, and another 2 miles to the summit of Mt. Langley, so approx. 19 miles round trip. Shorter than Whitney by 2 to 3 miles, and less elevation gain. So, if you know your approx. time up Whitney, you could subtract an hour (or more), and be very close. A "typical" time for Mt. Whitney might be 16 hours, so perhaps 15 hours for Langley.
There is drainage near the top of Old Army Pass (snow melt, I guess), but have no idea if it would be running at this time. Lake 4 should have lots of water, with easy access from the west shore, and is at the base of the climb up to the pass.
Not sure why you would want to return via New Army. Adds a mile (or so), requires more elevation gain, and will take more distance to get back to water. This means you will use a bit more time going back. The view from New Army is really nice, and the boulder field going down is quire remarkable, but would not be worth the extra effort for me.
Check out CalTopo: https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=36.48052,-118.21195&z=14&b=mbt
If you "right click" you have the option to measure distance, and the tool will track the trail, so easy to use with fairly accurate distance.
Enjoy, it's a lovely hike.
Heading that way next week - is OAP open for sure? It was impassable last time I was there, mid may. Would be great to know if its open before splitting off that way. Thanks!
Thanks John for the helpful info!
I hope to do this within the next 2 weeks.
Yes, returning via Old Army may be a better idea to save us on energy since we are doing it as a day hike.
Janet
The latest reviews on All trails say that there is no snow on Old Army Pass and that it's open. Let me know if you find otherwise.
Have fun at Langley.
Janet
Just got back from GTW/Langley. Conditions were ideal. No snow to report on NAP/Langley, or anywhere between Soldier Lake--> Chicken spring lake --> Horseshoe meadows. Weather could NOT have been better.
I did the loop from Horseshoe Meadows over New Army then over Army (old)and back on Sunday.
Even though Army (old) is difficult for a variety of reasons, trail condition, very doable. Now having said that, I am 73, and have issues bending both my back and legs going around rockslides and boulders. Younger hikers seemed to have no problems, other than, please be careful.
A little rain while descending.
This mornig, leaving Lone Pine, pretty socked in.
I met one couple descending Army around 12:25pm, they started at 4:45am.
Paul