High Sierra Topix

I am planning to hike Mt Langley on July 1st 2017. Does anyone have information on current conditions at Mt Langley? (or estimation of what it might be like in the beginning of July) Specifically, how far from the summit does the snow begin? Are crampons / iceaxes necessary to complete the hike?

For context, I have a day hike permit for Mount Whitney on July 29th, and I was hoping to try Mt Langley (even if I don't reach the summit) as part of my training checklist. I did complete Clouds Rest from Yosemite Valley this weekend (22 miles out and back) - there was snow in the last mile leading to the summit, and it took me about an hour to get through that portion (with Yaktrax).

I did unsuccessfully attempt to hike Mt Langley last year in late August (after failing to get a same-day Whitney permit) - turned back about a mile from the summit because of what I thought were gathering stormclouds (but they weren't )

Here is the most recent TR found 6/8/17:
http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthread ... #Post50054
Photos from the trip: http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthread ... NE_Couloir

Thanks maverick! That looks like more snow than I think I'm honestly prepared to hike through, given lack of experience with iceaxes/crampons. I will be taking the Cottonwood Lakes / New Army Pass route though - hoping that the route is mostly snowfree by the end of June. I'll try calling the ranger station to check if they have any reports on current conditions of the hiking trail closer to my trip date.

Hi, here's a pic of New Army Pass and the regular route up Mt Langley. Taken from summit of Cirque Peak this past Sunday 6/11/17. Trail clear up to @11000'(Cottonwood Lks area), then areas of snow up to NAP. Hope that helps!

Thanks for the post!

That is beautiful - thanks for the information, TheMarmot! Looking at the pictures and the expanse on Google Maps in 3D brings back memories of the stark beauty and the exhaustion

In case NAP happens to be too full of snow for me to try the Mt Langley hike on Jul 1, any suggestions for hikes in that area (that aren't snowbound) that might help me train for a Whitney day hike?

I just spoke to a Inyo National Forest ranger on the phone - she pointed out that (paraphrasing what I remember here) there's a treacherous cornice on NAP due to the heavy snow season, that the snow is unlikely to melt by the July 4 weekend, and that folks attempting to get to Mt Langley are trying to do it via Cottonwood Pass, circling around Cirque Peak.

Any idea if the route marked on the attached map is what they're referring to (getting to Cirque Peak via Cottonwood Pass and then following a ridge to the top of NAP)?

Here's a recording of someone doing exactly that, so I guess its atleast possible: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recor ... aster-peak

I'm confused a bit here: You frame the ranger's response to the route involving "circling around Cirque Peak," but then your map is marked as if you're planning on actually summitting Cirque.

My guess is that the ranger was suggesting you follow the PCT north for a bit after crossing Cottonwood and then heading back east to meet back up with the main Langley route right after it goes over New Army. The short bit of trail to the SW on your map is the PCT as it heads north, and the trail going W from New Army is what you'd approach back on.

Also, the route you posted was done on Aug 9, 2014. Not really applicable to your current situation.

I went up New Army July 1st of last year and we had ~8ft of snow to climb at the top of the pass, so I'm not surprised to hear about its current condition this year.

Thanks Ashery, what you said makes more sense. On zooming out further, I do see the PCT following the base of Cirque Peak for a bit and it should be possible to walk over to join the other trail to the top of NAP. I'll follow up with the rangers on current conditions before I head out.