[pct-l] Horseshoe Meadows to Whitney Portal

[Phil Baily]

I have been over all three passes, but it was a while ago. Trail Pass 
has the least elevation gain and the gentlest slope, and probably the 
shortest mileage to the PCT. The trailhead for Trail and Cottonwood 
passes is the same and Trail Pass is further south. Therefore, the 
mileage to Whitney Portal is longer. Cottonwood Pass would be shorter 
and preferable, as it is really  not a difficult ascent. The New Army 
Pass trailhead is slightly lower on the road and  the pass itself has 
more elevation gain and if you are planning to go via the PCT, the 
mileage will be higher even though you meet the PCT  north of 
Cottonwood.  You may be able to go cross-country from New Army Pass 
via Mt. Langley or somewhere near it but I am unfamiliar with that possibility.
One tip about camping: Rock Creek, at the backcountry ranger station, 
can be very buggy, but it is a very pretty spot.

Pieces



At 09:40 AM 4/3/08, Donna Saufley wrote:
>Trail Pass is the shortest and easiest of all.  I've gone over New Army
>Pass, but not Cottonwood, so I cannot compare those two.
>
>L-Rod
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
>On Behalf Of Sly
>Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 5:11 PM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Horseshoe Meadows to Whitney Portal
>
>Hey, a guy on another forum was asking about this hike and I told him
>I'd try to find some answers.  I know you can take Cottonwood Pass but
>is New Army Pass any shorter?  What's the preferred route and mileage
>from each.  Also, up and down aside, is there a another, shorter route
>over another pass? Finally, what's the best way of going about getting a
>permit and will he have any problems?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Sly
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