Mount Langley via New Army Pass

The first three miles are mostly level, over soft granite sand, with a few creek crossings and log bridges. The trail then bends west and starts climbing into the Cottonwood Lakes basin. Long Lake and High Lake sit on the New Army Pass approach, with creeks and alpine scenery along the way. The lower stretch is a good reason to do this hike even if the summit is too much: you're already in high country before the hardest climbing begins.

From the lakes, the route climbs in switchbacks to New Army Pass. It is the longer crossing, but it is the easier and better-maintained choice for Mount Langley. After the pass, the trail drops a little to meet the route coming up from Old Army Pass, then turns toward the summit. That dip and re-climb are part of this itinerary; the direct Old Army Pass approach is a different, shorter route and is steeper, looser, and more likely to hold snow. Don't swap in that shortcut without checking conditions and confirming the route you intend to follow.

Beyond the pass connection, the trail gets rougher. Large cairns guide you across a boulder-strewn slope and onto a broad, rocky summit plateau. Keep track of the cairns: the upper route is not a smooth, obvious tread, and poor visibility makes route-finding harder. Take your time on the uneven rock and turn around if you can't keep the marked line in sight. This is a long climb above 14,000 feet, so the altitude adds real work even when the trail looks manageable on a map.

Mount Langley is the southernmost of California's fourteeners. The summit looks across the high Sierra toward Mount Whitney, Mount Muir, Mount Russell, and a long run of rugged peaks. For a photo, leave some of the pale summit rock in the foreground so the depth of the ridges shows. Down below, the Cottonwood Lakes are home to California's state fish, the golden trout.

Start at Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead in Horseshoe Meadows, reached by Horseshoe Meadows Road from Lone Pine. Bear-proof lockers and trash receptacles are provided at the parking area; from Memorial Day weekend through October, store food, trash, and scented items in bear-proof containers. Day use does not require a wilderness permit, but overnight trips do, and the seasonal overnight quota runs May 1 through November 1. Groups in the Mount Langley area are limited to eight. The route starts outside Sequoia, but once it crosses into the park, pets are not allowed on trails; leave dogs behind for the full hike. Snow can linger near the passes into summer, so check current conditions before setting out.