I agree about Cottonwood pass - I've done every pass a few times going back and forth in various loops between Miter and the PCH. Sometimes I feel like I'm slumming it, but it's such an easy point to get to from LA for a quick in & out.KathyW wrote:It's pretty easy to get to Soldier Lake (the lower one) from Horseshoe Meadows in one day. The easiest route is via Cottonwood Pass. Also, if I had to pick between New Army and Army Pass, I would go over New Army Pass. Getting to Soldier Lake in the first day would give you more time to enjoy the rest of the journey, but that's just my take on things.
The thing about Cottonwood is you either have to go all the way to Soldier or pull up short @ Chickenspring. Personally, I sort of hate Soldier (I think it's surprisingly bland), so it's no place I'd like to spend the night. Besides, if I were to leave in the morning, 9 miles is too short for me - much better to continue to SBL.
Also, CP is so flat & fast, I can avg almost 3mph, so I can get to Soldier in under 4 hours. Leave at 8am and arrive at noon to do ... what? Hang out around a grassy, shallow lake with obstructed views, poor fishing, and, did I mention, lots of people? [It's a tangent of the PCH a lot of people take vs Rock Creek + it has a bear box.] And did I mention the trees? Trees everywhere blocking the views! LOL end rant.
OTH, if one were to hit the tail in the afternoon (as I'm planning after shuttling my car), the Cottonwood lakes are much prettier and put you in position to go up and over the next day. The total gain/loss is almost a toss up between dropping down to (lower) Soldier from NAP or gaining an extra 500' from AP up Langley and then dropping down to (upper) Soldier. Again, it comes down to taste - I think the trail down from NAP is boooring, and don't like lower Soldier. Going up the Langley shoulder provides great views, and upper Soldier is much nicer IMO.
What's got me interested in this trip are four things:
- finally stitching together some last pieces of the area between Whitney and Shepherd
- fishing Wallace
- meeting some posters
- slowing down and hanging out/fishing this place (yes, that's a beach):
Side note: This is the lake I dream of as I'm jogging along trying to get in hiking shape. I hate jogging, but it makes it all worthwhile to make it here not completely whacked out.