"A Sierra Club-led trip on a 4-day backpack trip over the 4th of July weekend. On Day 1, we started at the Cottonwood Pass trailhead, and hiked up to Trail Pass where we dropped our packs and did a quick side trip to summit Trail Peak. Spectacular 360 degree views of the entire region. We went down, retrieved our gear, and continued on to our new camp site in Mulkey Meadows. On Day 2, we hiked another 6 miles past Tunnel Meadows to our next camp site. After setting up, we day-hiked over to Red Hill to explore that volcanic cinder cone. On the morning of Day 3, we day-hiked over to the Groundhog volcanic cinder cone that had given way 5,600 years ago to a lava flow which created a large lava field that is observable from the top (the hike to the top was pretty gnarley!). Afterwards, we took down camp and hiked back to the Mulkey Meadows campsite we had on Day 1. Finally, on Day 4, we took down camp and hiked back to our cars, but taking a slightly different route back via Mulkey Pass. An epic trip!" — marc • Jul 4, 2025

"After doing Middle Palisade yesterday, I was supposed to do Langley today with some friends, but my shoulders & foot were killing me (and I hadn't slept more than a couple hours so far this weekend), so I opted for an easier hike. Started from our camp near the Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead & went cross-country until I intersected the Trail Pass trail, which I followed to the pass. From there, I went straight up the east ridge to the summit. From the top, I descended straight down the steep northeast face down to Round Valley, then cross-country back to camp." — Kevin • Aug 11, 2013

"After Cirque I really wanted to return to the area but needed a girlfriend friendly peak. Here I found it. It was still a worthy hike and the views are rather enjoyable. The Trail Pass has several flowering species on the way up and as far as passes go in the area isn't so rough. There has to be a better spot to put that register than with the marmot poop. Also how did the telephone pole get up there??" — Irrationalist • Jun 29, 2013

"Recovering from a stress fracture in my foot and this was my second peak back (after Wonoga for sunset the previous night). Felt super out of shape and took so much longer than I should have, but at least I'm back in the mountains. Stupid foot." — calipidder • Aug 18, 2012