Seeking advice: Cottonwood Meadows -> Onion Valley

[xiainx]

Hi, next week I'm planning to hike from Cottonwood Meadows to Onion Valley, climbing Mt Langley, Mt Muir, and Mt Whitney along the way. Does anyone have any advice for other places I should try to visit? Any good lakes (either beautiful, or good fishing) or short side trips along the trail on that route?

Also, will the JMT north of Whitney still be super crowded? Any suggestions to avoid the hoards? And I was also wondering about the cutoff from Crabtree lakes to Trail Crest, is that worth the mileage it saves, or is it simply too much of a slog?

Thanks!

[maverick]

For how many days?

For fishing: Crabtree Lakes, Wallace and Wright Lakes, Casper Lake, and creek emanating from the Thunder Mountain area draining into Casper Lake.

Any suggestions to avoid the hoards?

Stay off trail or at least camp off trail.

And I was also wondering about the cutoff from Crabtree lakes to Trail Crest, is that worth the mileage it saves, or is it simply too much of a slog?

You are referring to Discovery Pass (class 2), it is not difficult, a bit sandy, if Whitney is objective, after Crabtree Lakes, then yes, it is a good alternative, but would not skip Crabtree Lakes (second one), if fishing is a high priority.

[xiainx]

Thank you, Maverick. We're going for 6 days. Re: Discovery Pass, okay, sounds like (depending on timing), I may go for it. The 11 miles around doesn't sound too exciting, fishing is not super high priority, just something to pass the time.

I can't find Casper Lake on the Map :-P

[maverick]

I can't find Casper Lake on the Map :-P

No an official name, lake is dead center, in the crosshairs. HST Map

[Wandering Daisy]

The name "Casper Lake" shows up on Google Earth. I guess someone thinks the lake looks like a ghost (Casper the Ghost).

[maverick]

The name "Casper Lake" shows up on Google Earth. I guess someone thinks the lake.

Yes, it does, by the person who posted the picture link to it, but it is not the official name of the lake.

[Sierra_Summits]

Wales lake is awesome! great high sierra scenery. It's in the wright or wallace lake drainage. Also, big horn plateau would be a cool place to camp and there is a little lake out on the edge of the plateau for water.

[Wandering Daisy]

All the travel and climbing you have planned for only six days may not leave much left for fishing and exploring the upper drainages. Personally, I would do half that area and spend more time in each location. A few weeks ago I was able to get a first-come exit permit out to Whitney Portal. After Labor Day in the past I have obtained first-come entry permits from Whitney Portal too. A lot of people cancel.

It is about half day's travel from the east side (Crabtree, Wallace and Wrights) to the west side of the upper Kern (Milestone and north). If you want to hit both sides and go north and south as far as you plan, you need more than six days. Have you done the map work and calculated the mileage and estimated times to accomplish your goals?

[emo53]

We spent 6 days roaming around Cottonwood Lakes area. Best part of the trip was the Miter Basin, which you can access via a use trail from Soldier Lake. If you are comfortable off trail, there appears to be a way to get to Crabtree pass from the Miter Basin. I found a route marked on Caltopo website.

[psykokid]

We spent 6 days roaming around Cottonwood Lakes area. Best part of the trip was the Miter Basin, which you can access via a use trail from Soldier Lake. If you are comfortable off trail, there appears to be a way to get to Crabtree pass from the Miter Basin. I found a route marked on Caltopo website.

Did you have a chance to check out Old Army Pass while you were up there? Thinking about heading up that way instead of New Army Pass if it's clear when I head up there in a couple of weeks. Thanks in advance!