Cottonwood Lakes/Mt. Langley: Bring a Hammock?

**SoCal Mike** · 06-25-2015, 23:00

Has anyone camped at Cottonwood Lakes #4 or #5 and use a hammock? I'm headed out there soon en route to Mt. Langley and will use one of those lake areas as a base camp. Just wondering if I should bring my hammock or just prepare to be on the ground. Thanks!

Michael (SoCal Mike)

**dakine** · 06-26-2015, 01:24

I hiked Mt Langley and passed those lakes. There are definitely good hanging spots in the lakes basin.

**slbear** · 06-26-2015, 12:43

Hey Mike,

When are you going? Really sounds great. I'm looking at a short trip to the western Sierra in July. Hanging is a must!

**SoCal Mike** · 06-26-2015, 14:45

Originally Posted by slbear

Hey Mike,

When are you going? Really sounds great. I'm looking at a short trip to the western Sierra in July. Hanging is a must!

July. If you're headed to the west side of the Sierra and don't have a spot yet, I have been to the Dinkey Wilderness area. Beautiful spots by the many lakes out there. Easy hiking, lots of trees.

**Brian in so cal** · 06-27-2015, 06:10

Lakes 4 and 5 are pretty much treeless. Lakes 1, 2 and parts of 3 had some trees. Unless otherwise noted these were taken 3 years ago.

mt langley 322.jpg

Lake 5

lake 15.jpg

Lakes 5 and 4. Looking down from Old Army pass. Taken by a friend in 2010.

mt langley 335.jpg

lake 3, This was taken coming down between lake 4 and 3.

sammy cottonwood 0621.jpg

Lake 1 some trees available.

mt langley 201.jpg

Lake 1

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Our camp at the start of lake 3. 2011 You can see there are some trees. As you head up to lake 4 the trees disappear.

SoCal Mike, Your going to like Mt. Langley. It is a great hike with great views. At the top you can look across and see Mt. Whitney.

**SoCal Mike** · 06-27-2015, 11:36

Thanks, everybody. I also had some feedback from OutCold who just recently hung his rig at Lake #3. That seems to be my best bet. I will probably roll the dice and bring the hammock, but will be prepared to go to the ground. That's my usual style, anyway. So, not a big deal if I have to hug the earth instead of swing from the trees.

Michael (SoCal Mike)

**SoCal Mike** · 08-10-2015, 20:29

Finally circling back on this....

The good news: We had a great trip and made it to the peak of Mt. Langley. The bad news: We expected foul weather (that didn't materialize until after we made it back from the peak) so we opted to camp at Lakes 4 and 5 to ensure we could get up the Old Army Pass as quickly as possible to avoid any stormy weather, which did not have areas for me to hang from.

In my opinion, hanging at Lake 3 would be tough but doable and hanging before you arrive at Lake 3 would be preferable.

Thanks, everyone!

Michael

**mangus7175** · 08-11-2015, 13:32

Hey Mike! Long time no talk! My daughter and I were there last month and camped at Lake #3. We camped in an area where we did see trees but you definitely need longer straps as the girth of the trees were really wide. Got some photos from your trip?

**SoCal Mike** · 08-12-2015, 22:19

Originally Posted by mangus7175

Hey Mike! Long time no talk! My daughter and I were there last month and camped at Lake #3. We camped in an area where we did see trees but you definitely need longer straps as the girth of the trees were really wide. Got some photos from your trip?

Hey, Angus! Pictures? Bam!

Michael