Leaving the Horseshoe Meadow walk-in campground at about 8am. We could perhaps leave earlier, but then we wouldn't have a good hearty breakfast in the morning. It's always important to know priorities.

The first brief rest.

Jules getting more sunscreen.

Anita checking her cool GPS device.

One of two log bridges on our trail.

Creeks are tame and water is low late in summer. Different story in late spring when snow is melting in Cottonwood Lakes basin.

It is about 10am, and we have reached the edge of the Cottonwood Lakes basin. From here we have our first full view of Mt. Langley. Its summit is in the middle of the picture. However, first things first! It is time for our breakfast No.2, and then we will enjoy the views.

Eating.

Enjoying the view.

More eating.

He doesn't admit it, but bananas (see the previous picture) always put Jules into a strong psychedelic mood.

A little blue hut on a Cottonwood Lakes meadow.

Josh, Ryan, and Mt. Langley.

Samuel Pierpont Langley, who died in 1906, was a physicist, astronomer, aviation pioneer, hiker, and the secretary of Smithsonian Institute. The mountain was originally called "Sheep Mountain", and was renamed to Mt. Langley in 1905.

One of the last big trees on the trail. We are reaching timberline.

Dave approaching the middle Cottonwood Lake (Lake #3 on the map).

Ryan on a plateau above the middle lake.

We have to get there?!

Hat exhibition.

Old Army Pass from Cottonwood Lake #4.

The route was originally used by sheepmen. A trail was built in 1892 by black soldiers from Georgia, at a time when the US Army was patrolling eastern parts of Sequoia National Park.

When a new, wider trail was built a mile to the south from here ("New Army Pass"), the Old Army Pass trail was abandoned, but it is still in a remarkably good condition.

The trail starts at the far end of the lake, climbs straight up over several switchbacks, then goes far to the left of the picture, meanders through big boulders, reaches the height of the pass, then turns right again, and exits above the snow patch.

Warning: Early in a season, and sometimes as late as in August, a slippery and icy snow field could cover the top segment of the Old Army Pass trail. Trying to go around the snow on loose and exposed rocks is dangerous. If you don't have adequate equipment, like ice axe, don't use this trail under such conditions. Use New Army Pass instead.

We are carrying much too much food for a day hike, but water is in short supply. Filtering water from a small stream between Lakes #5 and #4.

Dave and Lydia, reduced to to the size of few pixels, among truck size boulders, heading slowly towards the pass.

Few more steps, and we will reach the top of the pass. Another look at Cottonwood Lakes #4 (close) and #5 (further away) from the precarious Old Army Pass trail.

NEXT: MIDDAY