Mount Langley | Lone Pine, California

COTTONWOOD LAKES TRAILHEAD—LONE PINE, CA

For a Fourteener, climbing Mt. Langley isn’t much of a climb. In fact, it’s shamefully easy. The trail is well maintained and simple to follow. And the Cairns along the final mile to the summit are so impressively clear and well built, with some exceeding 10ft in height.

The reward is a clear southern view of the famous Mt. Whitney, which stands barely 500ft higher than Langley. Even more astonishing are the series of twelve-and-thirteen’er peaks that can be viewed across the Kern River Canyon into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Langley wets the appetite of those who are drawn to the high Alpine Country of the Sierra Nevadas. And it doesn’t disappoint. The trek from Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead furnishes a number of beautiful lakes and bowl landscapes that seem too perfectly displayed to be the result of natural accident. And the 11 miles with a 10,000 ft start is still a stout pursuit for anyone, even those who deem themselves physically capable.

If you’ve already done Mt. Shasta and Mt. Whitney, you’ll find Mount Langley a refreshing walk in the park, to excuse the pun. Afterall, Langley does sit just inside the National Park named Sequoia.

Trail Condition: Very Good and easy.  Clearly marked and maintained.  Cairns Section for final ascent is very clearly marked.

Water Sources: Multiple sources available along most of route except final ascent up Langley.  Last sources along their respective routes are as follows: long New Army Pass Route, it’s High Lake (5 mi from summit at 11,500 ft); along Old Army Pass Route, it’s Cottonwood Lake # 4 (3.5mi from summit at 11,200 ft); along Soldier Lake Route its Little Soldier Lake (3mi from Summit at 11,200 ft)

Trail Traffic: moderate.  Mostly day-hikers.  Some backpackers.  Occasional Horseback riders.

Trail Systems/Areas: Horseshoe Meadows Recreation Area, Cottonwood Lakes, Sequoia National Park, Inyo National Forest

Trail Awesomeness:  Cottonwood Lakes are scenic and beautiful at the edge of the Alpine Climate.  Above New and Old Army Passes, views extend across the Southern Sierras into Sequoia National Park and East into Owens Valley.

Start Location: Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead (Google Maps)

Finish Location: Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead (Google Maps)

Fees/Permits: Fees required for overnight camping.

Potable Water: no

Bathrooms: yes

Cell Reception: no

Historical Significance: Named after Samual Pierpont Langley by the Board on Geographic Names in 1943.  First official recorded summit by Clarence King and Paul Pinson in 1871 and thereafter often confused by early climbers with the nearby Mt. Whitney.  

Natural Significance: The entire 22mi trek from Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead to Langley Peak and back is above 10,000ft.  Langley Peak is the 9th tallest of California’s 12 Fourteener Peaks.  The summit of Langley Peak has a clear Southern View of Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the Continental US.  Mt. Langley Peak is located on the extreme far East edge of Sequoia National Park and is the Southernmost Peak of California’s 14’ers.

Attention!!:

• No water available above New/Old Army Passes.

Route Guide

0.00 mi ⇒ Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead | Stay on main trail along Cottonwood Creek until junction at Cottonwood Lake #1

5.50 mi ⇒ Trail Junction @ Cottonwood Lake #1 | Go left for For New Army Pass. Go Right for Old Army Pass. THIS route follows New Army Pass for Ascent and Old Army Pass for Descent.

7.00 mi ⇒ High Lake & bottom of New Army Pass | Last water source before final Ascent up Langley.

7.50 mi ⇒ Trail Junctions | Stay North on the main trail towards the now visible Langley Peak. First junction goes East to Old Army Pass. Second Junction goes West to Soldier Lake.

8.50 mi ⇒ Trail Junction | Stay North on the main trail towards the now visible Langley Peak. Do not take the trail West to Little Soldier Lake.

9.00 mi ⇒ Cairns Section | Follow Cairns. Very clear and easy to follow.

12.00 mi ⇒ Mt. Langley Summit | On return trip, follow same route until the junction for Old Army Pass.

15.00 mi ⇒ Trail Junction. Take Left | Take left to Old Army Pass and Cottonwood Lakes #4 and #5

16.50 mi ⇒ Cottonwood Lake #4 | first available water source since the climb up Langley.

17.00 mi ⇒ Trail Junction @ Cottonwood Lake #1 | Take left and follow the same Cottonwood Lakes Trail this route first began on and all the way back to Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead.

• Closest towns: Lone Pine, CA (23mi/40mins) (Google Maps)
• Nearest Gas: 3 Stations (23mi/40mins) (Google Maps)
• Nearest Restaurants: Several Venues (23mi/40mins) (Google Maps)
• Nearest Ranger Station: USFS Mt. Whitney Ranger Station (5mi/9mins) (Google Maps)
• Cottonwood Lakes Trail (fs.usda.gov)
• Cottonwood Lakes Walk-in Campground (fs.usda.gov)
• Mount Langley (Summitpost.org)

B R E W E R Y:

• Mountain Rambler Brewery (Bishop, 1 hr N of Lone Pine)
• Indian Wells Brewing Company (Inyokern, 1 hr S of Lone Pine)

“Mountain Rumbler makes a robust Scottish Ale, the Seven Gables, and has great food including an above-average hamburger.” -Stu

“Indian Wells is a cool place with a wide selection of brews and sodas–they even have a Root Beer named after The Duke.” -Stu

P I Z Z A :

• Pizza Factory

“There’s other stuff on their menu, but I’d stick with the pizza. It’s good and this place is always busy.” -Stu

B U R G E R:

• Mt Whitney Restaurant

“Decent hamburger and beer when you’re in a rush.” -Stu

B B Q:

• Lone Pine Smokehouse
• Copper Top BBQ (Big Pine, 20mins N of Lone Pine)

“The LP Smokehouse makes a good Brisket and Cornbread.” -Stu

“But Copper Top is very tasty and always busy, just no cornbread.  You decide.” -Stu

C H I N E S E:

• Merry Go Round

“Decent Chinese food.” -Stu

M E X I C A N:

• Castro’s Taco Stand

“Good street tacos.” -Stu

B R E A K F A S T:

• Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery

“Best breakfast spot in Lone Pine and I like their Alabama Omelette.” -Stu

C O F F E E:

• Lone Star Bistro

“Cozy little coffee shop and bakery.” -Stu

H E A L T H Y:

• Vibras Juice Bar

“Great Acai Bowls, Juices, and Smoothies.  And they even make an excellent Espresso!” -Stu