New Army Pass Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · Views

The east end of this trail is in the John Muir Wilderness of Inyo National Forest, where dogs are allowed on-leash, but the saddle at New Army Pass marks the boundary of Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, where dogs are not allowed. Wilderness permits are required for camping anywhere along this trail.

From the junction with the Cottonwood Lakes Trail, this trail heads west, passing several use trails to nearby lakes. Around 11,000 feet, pass Long Lake a popular camping spot, and at 11,500 feet, pass High Lake, another popular camping spot.

From High Lake, the trail climbs switchbacks up a magnificent glacial cirque to 12,300-foot New Army Pass. The pass is the jumping-off point for routes to Mount Langley to the north and Cirque Peak to the south (see Mount Langley Army Pass Route and Cirque Peak Army Pass Route).

The New Army Pass trail also continues down the other side of the pass. It descends a barren landscape before re-entering the forest and soon meeting the Rock Creek Trail, which in turn links to the PCT.