Landmark
Mount Langley summit
MI 11 · 14,042 ft
Each entry point carries its own quota
Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes Permit
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks · California
California's 9th highest peak (14,042 ft) climbed via the scenic Cottonwood Lakes basin, a fourteener without the Whitney crowds.
Get an alert when Mt. Langley opens on your dates.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Mt. Langley were gone within 45 minutes.
Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes reservation dates
- route distance, out and back
- 22mi
- elevation gain
- 4,100ft
- max group size
- 8people
Mt. Langley elevation profile
Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead to Mount Langley summit, one way4,100 ft of descent · 7.1% average grade
Landmark
Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead
Mile 0 of 11
0 Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead11 Mount Langley summit
- Mile
- 0
- Elevation
- 10,000 ft
Mt. Langley landmarks
Map of the Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead to Mount Langley summit
6 of 6 places in this section
Loading the map
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
4,100 ft of descent · 7.1% average grade
How to get a Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes permit
As of October 2026, Mt. Langley in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Mt. Langley rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Canceled Mt. Langley permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Mt. Langley route covers 22 miles with 4,100 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- Eastern Sierra, CA
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Mt. Langley: Live availability activityWhen Mt. Langley permits open upChance of an openingMount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes permit itinerary
Guides: Mt. Langley permit guideLewis Creek permit guideWoods Creek permit guide
How much a Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes permit costs
Mt. Langley permit fee: $6 + $5/person.
The Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes hike
- Distance
- 22 miles
- Elevation Gain
- 4,100 ft
- Route Type
- Out & Back
- Duration
- 2-3 days
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Elevation Range
- 9,950 - 14,042 ft
How hard the Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
When to hike Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (10,000 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Today: Freezing temps at elevation. Bring insulation even if warm below.
- Tomorrow: Freezing temps at elevation. Bring insulation even if warm below.
- Day 3: Freezing temps at elevation. Bring insulation even if warm below.
Today
☁️
67°
46°
Wed
🌫️
61°
43°
Thu
🌫️
62°
46°
Fri
🌧️
61°
47°
Sat
🌧️
61°
46°
52%
Sun
🌧️
51°
45°
54%
Mon
☁️
61°
46°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Mt. Langley.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Mt. Langley · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Mt. Langley FAQ
How do I get a Mt. Langley permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Mt. Langley cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Mt. Langley permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Mt. Langley?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Mt. Langley permit?
This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Mt. Langley permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions(2)
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Mt. Langley.
Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Mount Langley via Cottonwood Lakes permit
Where to stay near Mt. Langley
- Whitney Portal campgroundInyo National Forest
- Lone Pine campgroundInyo National Forest
- Tuttle Creek CampgroundAlabama Hills
- All California campgrounds
Trip planning
Articles that plan a trip around this permit.
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
Plan a trip here
No permit needed to start
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Add PermitSnag in Google
Takes less than a minute.