So as my first thought of doing this for the July 4th weekend gets closer, I'm thinking the current conditions for the Langley to Whitney area makes doing it mid-July a better choice. It'd mean taking an additional day off work, but I'd also get to use the 4th for July weekend to hike in Yosemite (Already got a permit for a hike north of Hetch Hetchy
).
Any thoughts on current conditions vs. waiting a couple more weeks?
Still plan to get my permit, leave my car in Lone Pine and get a shuttle/taxi/uber to Horseshoe meadows. Then after exiting via Whitney Portal, hitch a ride back to Lone Pine. Figure that's easier to do than get from the portal to Horseshoe after my hike.
Do the campgrounds around the Cottonwood lakes/Cottonwood pass trailheads usually have space, even on Saturday nights?
Or can I rely on the kindness of other backpackers to squeeze me in if needed?
