So.. I failed the lottery
. I'm keeping my eye out for exit permits so I can enter from another location and exit the portal, but so far the days I have available are booked solid. I am wondering if there is another alternative route that does not involve the Portal. I have only six days off work, but I figure the first day will be driving, picking up permits, and sleeping at a trailhead. So, really only five days of hiking with maybe a very short hike on the day we drive up.
I am wondering about a loop from Horseshoe Meadow, going up Whitney from Cottonwood Lakes and back down through Cottonwood Pass. Is this possible to do in 5 days? If so, how would you break this up? Also, is the cross country portion difficult to navigate?
Some stats on us:
- we comfortably hike 8 miles a day if there is a good amount of elevation gain, and probably ~12miles on flat-ish, down hill, or without a pack.
-We do have the option of a car shuttle between trailheads.
-We have some cross country Sierra hiking experience, but not terribly advanced.
-We are going in late July/ early Aug.
