Horseshoe Meadows to Whitney Portal

Travel/Acclimatization Day Travel to Lone Pine and pick up permits at Mt. Whitney Ranger Station. Proceed to Whitney Portal to drop off one car. Drive over to Horseshoe Meadow and set up at Cottonwood Lakes/New Army Pass Hiker in Campground.

Trailhead and Route (New Army Pass) Day 1 – New Army Pass Trailhead to Long Lake via the South Fork Trail, 5 miles, +~1,000’ This is a very easy day with a very heavy pack if you are 6 dayer. We utilize the South Fork Trail because it is shorter by a mile but it does involve some cross-country travel around the South Fork Lakes. Consult your maps.

Day 2 – Long Lake to Rock Creek near RCRS Junction – 8.7 miles, +1,300’, -2,700’ Up to the top of the pass then it all down hill. We utilize a campsite just east of Lower Rock Creek Crossing because of its solitude.

(Days 1 and 2 can be combined to short the trip by a day for those carrying a light pack and in good shape)

Day 3 – Rock Creek to Upper Crabtree Meadow – 7 miles, +~2,000’, -~1,000’ A very quick up to the top of Guyot Pass. Most of the climbing is done in the first hour of this day. A fairly easy day after going over Guyot Pass.

Day 4 – Upper Crabtree Meadow to The Tarns – 3.2 miles, +1,000’ This is a “moving rest day”. We utilize the handful of campsites around the tarns about ¾ of mile west of Guitar Lake. A side trip to Hitchcock Lakes is a worthy adventure.

Day 5 – The Tarns to Trail Camp via Mt. Whitney – 9 miles, +~3,300’, - 2, 800’ Start early and enjoy either sunrise on the Sierra Crest or Mt. Whitney. It is the only way to do this mountain, IMHO. Again, an easy day since you will be carrying a summit pack for about half of this day.

Day 6 – Trail Camp to Whitney Portal – 6.3 miles, -3,600’ Time to stoll back to the Whitney Portal Store and your shower and beer. You have become an instant sage because of your 6 day growth, sorry ladies all you can do is stink.

(Days 5 and 6 can be combined to short the trip by a day for those carrying a light pack and in good shape) Cottonwood Pass (Changes to first two days to go over this pass) Day 1 – Cottonwood Pass Trailhead to Chicken Spring Lake – 4.5 Miles, +~1,100’ This is an extremely easy day, therefore, a side trip to Cirque Peak might be in order. This side trip would still make the hiking under 10 miles. Cross-country and route finding skill are needed for this side trip

Day 2 – Chicken Spring Lake to Rock Creek near RCRS Junction – 9.2 miles, +300’, -~1,800’ Load up on the water because it is dry trip to almost Rock Creek.

Last Backpack /Travel Day Take a shower, have a meal and cold beer, retrieve your vehicle in Horseshoe Meadow and go home or spend the night in Whitney Portal, if you did the 16 mile day thing.

Water Water is plentiful with sources no more than a few miles apart. The following areas are the exception.

New Army Pass Route… High Lake to until you enter the drainage a mile or some below the Pass…About 3 miles of no sources.

Cottonwood Lakes Route… Chicken Spring Lake to Rock Creek…there are a couple of small streams as you approach Rock Creek….About an 8 miles of no sources.

Both… The Tarns to Trail Camp…About 9 miles without refill possibilities.