Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Current Conditions for cottonwood lakes to mt whitney

Hello,

This weekend, I plan to do a loop hike from Cottonwood Pass up to the PCT to Mt Whitney Then, I plan to take New Army Pass-through Cottonwood Lakes back to where I parked my car at Horseshoe Meadows.

Does New Army Pass connect to Mt. Whitney? Do you recommend a better route to get from Cottonwood lakes to Mt. Whitney? Would the section from Mt. Whitney to Cottonwood Lakes be dangerous this time of year, or has most of the snow melted?

Thanks for the help!

josh8888888, getting from Whitney to Horseshoe Meadows but avoiding the PCT/JMT would require cross-country travel: leave the Whitney trail at the top of the switchbacks, cross Discovery Pass and head down to the Crabtree Lakes, then over Crabtree Pass / Miter Pass to Skyblue Lake, then follow Rock Creek to New Army Pass. A solid adventure not to be taken lightly, with some Class 2 terrain. Sounds like fun!

Thanks for the tips. I think I want to avoid class 2 terrain, so I will probably just go back and forth on the PCT. Is New Army Pass Class 2? Do you think there would be heavy snow on it?

New Army Pass probably has a little snow left on it, but it should be pretty easy to climb and descend. Climbing Whitney from Horseshoe Meadows and returning that way is usually a 5-day backpack.

If you're main goal is Mt Whitney, check for permits to climb the Main Mt Whitney Trail.
Here's the link: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233260
Check it multiple times per day, and no-shows and cancellations should show up. There is currently an overnight permit available starting two days from now... (actually less than 30 hours from now).

Thanks for the suggestions. I think my main goal is to make a loop out of new army pass and the pct from mulkey pass. And to try and avoid as much snow since I am going solo and I don't have any experience beyond using microspikes on mountains.