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New Army Pass via Cottonwood Lakes

Inyo National Forest · Inyo · Managed by Inyo National Forest (USFS)
Difficulty 33/100 · Moderateout and back#altitude#alpine-lakes#mount-langley#cross-country
Distance
9.6 mi
Total gain
3,596 ft
Net gain
1,761 ft
Net loss
1,761 ft
Elevation
10,513–12,274 ft
Days
2–3
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

New Army Pass is the classic high route out of Horseshoe Meadow: 4.8 miles past the Cottonwood Lakes to a 12,300-foot saddle beneath Cirque Peak, with Mount Langley's plateau beyond. It is the standard acclimatization trip for Whitney hopefuls and the gateway to Sequoia National Park's southern backcountry.

Highlights

  • Five alpine lakes strung beneath Cirque Peak on the approach
  • A 12,300-foot pass reached without any technical terrain
  • Mount Langley — California's southernmost 14er — as the obvious next objective
  • The Sequoia backcountry opening from the pass

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead (Horseshoe Meadow) (10,000 ft · parking: End of Horseshoe Meadow Road, south of Lone Pine)
  • Water: The Cottonwood Lakes chain; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Lone Pine is an hour down the hill.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Inyo National Forest (USFS)
  • Reserve or apply on recreation.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for Cottonwood Lakes applies during quota season.
  • Reservation window: 60% of quota released six months out, 40% two weeks out, at 7 a.m. PT.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Campfires are allowed in existing rings unless current Inyo NF fire restrictions are in effect; wood is scarce in this high basin. A California Campfire Permit is required for stoves and fires. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September.

Snow: New Army Pass usually melts out by early July; the trailhead road opens late May.

Heat: Cool at these elevations.

Bugs: Mosquitoes at the lakes through July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The pass holds snow into early summer; an ice axe helps in July
  • Route-finding above the lakes is loose and cairned — carry a map
  • Altitude is the real challenge at 12,000+ feet

Map

Route track shown for reference only — navigate with map and compass. Track source: OpenStreetMap route relation 19131505 (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) (ODbL 1.0).

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits. Recreation.gov / U.S. Forest Service. https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233262. Accessed 2026-09-07. Year-round permit requirement, quota release schedule, and food-storage rules.
  2. Inyo National Forest alerts and fire restrictions. U.S. Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/alerts/stage-1-fire-restrictions-effect. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Current Stage 1 fire restrictions affecting campfires and stoves.
  3. New Army Pass Trail route relation 19131505. OpenStreetMap contributors. https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/19131505. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: ODbL 1.0. Route geometry; distance and elevation statistics computed from this track.
  4. SRTM90 elevation data. OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-07. Elevation enrichment for computed gain/loss statistics.