together jg and i hauled 65 pounds, 5 liters of water included. we hiked five miles in and a thousand feet up.
one of many creek crossings
the sky became increasingly overcast in the afternoon and i was thankful for the coolness. we shared the trail with at least two dozens of people coming and going, most of whom carried fishing poles.
the trail wasn't steep but the air was thin so we took a lot of breaks along the trail. during one stop, a fellow backpacker asked about our approach for mt langley.
hiker: are you guys taking new army pass?
schmee: no, we're taking old navy... uh... old army.
jg: now you know where my wife shops.
the perfect rest stop after a quarter mile of stair steps
equine watering hole and a glimpse of mt langley
(behind and above the major general)
in 4 hours and 25 minutes, we arrived at cottonwood lake 3. it didn't take us long to find a choice camping spot.