Hello everyone,
I am also new to the Langley/Whitney area, and I have been continually referencing this fantastic forum while planning my 11-day adventure in the Sierras, starting this Thursday (acclimatizing day). I am traveling with my boyfriend, and both of us are in good physical condition; being a geologist, my job requires me to hike, and him, he grew up in the Colombian Andes. We are flying into LA and making a "loop" around the National Parks / National Forests beginning on the west side (Inyo NP, 3 nights, 4 days), hitting Yosemite (3 nights, 3 days), and ending on the east side in Sequoia (2 nights, 2 days).
We have overnight permits for Cottonwood Creek TH (3 day / 2 night) beginning this Friday. Is this route doable?
Day 1: Horseshoe Meadows to Miter Basin (camp at Sky Blue Lake. too far?) via Cottonwood Lakes Trail / NAP
Day 2: Hike down to Lower Soldier Lake, drop packs, summit Langley via shortcut from Upper Soldier Lake to NAP (camp at Lower Soldier Lake)
Day 3: Hike back to Horseshoe Meadows via Cottonwood Pass Trail.
Do you think this would be better done in reverse (start at CP, exit CL?) I estimated the time from Horseshoe Meadows to the Miter Basin ~9 hours. Is this naively underestimated?
Another option would be is to keep camp for both nights at Lower Solder Lake, and make day hikes in Miter Basin visiting Sky Blue Lake and Langley.
Input is greatly appreciated, and thank you again.
Brynne
