Okay, I'm pretty sure this year I'm going to start at Horseshoe Meadows, go through New Army Pass, Summit Mt Langley, then double back to Army Pass Tr. Then take Army Pass Tr, PCT, JMT up to Whitney's Summit. And exit via Whitney Portal.
(optional if I decide on a shorter route between the summits, I may try one of the routes described
in this thread )
First question: How many days should I assume it'll take me if I do the full loop via the PCT and JMT?
I was thinking 5 nights might be doable, but curious what others have done it in.
Second question: Is early July too early (especially if we get the big snow dumping it looks like we will this year)? I'm trying to fit this around a Japan trip in August (Mt Fuji, Japan Alps, and maybe Mt Tsurugi as short day hike (or maybe one night if my body is still functioning at that point
), so Labor day weekend would be an option if early July is too early-but always start to worry about more frequent afternoon thunderstorms the later it gets in the summer.
Third question: Is Langley reachable from Horseshoe in a single day? (after staying overnight up at the camps there).
Or should I plan to head up to Horseshoe Meadows early by car/taxi, start the hike and camp somewhere after New Army Pass?
