cottonwood lakes backpacking

Posts. The trail turns west and at around 4.5 miles you enter an open meadow with excellent views of the Sierra Crest ahead. 41.7k. Soon enough you'll find yourself within the steep and craggy walls of this untapped range. The trail (from Crescent Meadow to Whitney Portal) is 72 miles long and takes about a week to complete. Rarely can you find such lovely sites with so little effort, but here, a short trek will take you through . Please stay on the snow though instead of walking through the meadows. The half dozen Cottonwood Lakes are clustered in a basin at the foot of 14,032 . From the lake, options for scrambling into the alpine, fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching are all at your fingertips. A permit may be booked in advance for a five-dollar fee or obtained the day of the hike for free at the nearby ranger station in Lone Pine (or one of the other permit offices in the Inyo National Forest).The quotas are generous for Cottonwood Lakes trailhead and those who haven't reserved a . Elevation. Head north through pine forests along Cottonwood Creek. We intended to be on a leisurely, lake inspired 7 day loop trip into the wilderness from Cottonwood Pass to Cottonwood Lakes, stopping at every lake along the way to float lazily on the water, bask in the sun, nap on rocks, pretend to fish when we're really just going to be watching the fish, camp and catch the Perseid Meteor Shower that was going to peak in the middle of the week. A trail quota is also in place on Cottonwood Lakes trailhead from the end of June to mid-September. Ride to Cottonwood Lakes to fish, hike or photograph the area. The Cottonwood Lakes Trail is the main hiking path from the southernmost of the eight principal access routes into the Eastern Sierra - Horseshoe Meadows Road, which heads south from the Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, climbing 5,000 feet over 17 miles to the trailhead, beside the eponymous meadow, which lies at approximately at the divide between the southernmost, lower elevation section of the . My first backpacking trip 8/24-8/26 Cottonwood Lakes and caught my first Golden! By Shane Burke. The current trail may not match some older maps. 4 With Old Army Pass In View Cottonwood Lake No. Take your time, bring lots of water and snacks, and you'll enjoy this hike more than a Netflix binge. Cottonwood Lakes and Army Pass Trail is a scenic route within the high alpine environment of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain range. This short mountain hike is the start for both Kroenke and Bear Lake Trails. For information and reservations, call (760) 878-2015. Both trails are roughly the same distance and will take you to Crabtree via the Pacific Crest Trail. The hike to Lake Mary is popular and sublime! Though smaller than Lake Mary, Dog Lake is generally less busy and makes a great . It seemed like not too hard of a hike to get to the first or second lake and there was a large campground at the trailhead that we could try to grab a spot at the night before. Cottonwood Lakes July 2015. Cottonwood Lakes can be a first night stopping place for hikers setting out to connect to the John Muir Trail or a basecamp for local adventures from fishing to peak bagging. South Fork Meadow, featuring tree-stubbled lumps. Permit Info: Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips. The Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead offers hikers an excellent starting point to explore areas/destinations such as the Cottonwood Lakes Basin, the Golden Trout Wilderness, Mt. This includes the Official website, phone number, location map, reviews and photos. I had to scold a 20-something that was acting like a child stomping in the muddy meadows on my way out. It is also the gateway to Mt Langley. Cottonwood Lakes and Army Pass Trail is a scenic route within the high alpine environment of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain range. 24 Stoplight in Buena Vista, travel North .3 mile; West (L) on Crossman Ave./Cty. Langley Summit via New Army Pass — Roughly 26.5 mi. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. I've never personally used this shuttle service, but I've heard that "LonePineKurt" (LonePineKurt@aol . This trail goes by Cottonwood Lake #1, Cottonwood Lake #2, Long Lake, High Lake, New Army Pass, and Old Army Pass. Langley. You are almost there, and with a bit more hiking and scrambling you will be able to reach the summit (14,042 Ft). The Golden Trout are plentiful! So the trail winds around the old trail, and ends up about a half mile back on the original trail . round-trip. This trail goes by Cottonwood Lake #1, Cottonwood Lake #2, Long Lake, High Lake, New Army Pass, and Old Army Pass. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The summit is 10.5 miles from the trailhead with an elevation gain of 4,002 Feet. Pass the junction with the New Army Pass Trail at 3.5 miles. The campground is 24 miles southwest of the town of Lone Pine. High Sierra Backpacking: Cottonwood Lakes to Mount Whitney. Day 1. Rd. Side Trips Mt Langley. Langley, Cirque Peak and the Pacific Crest Trail. Cirque Lake via Cottonwood Lakes Trail is an incredible route within the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain range. For those who are peak baggers, Mt. Photo by Liz Thomas. One a little lower down near the Horseshoe Meadows area and another one a little higher up near the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead, that is the one we used. Cottonwood Pass Trail is considered easier while Cottonwood Lakes Trail is considered more scenic and difficult.You can reach Horseshoe Meadow by car or private shuttle from Lone Pine. 760-876-6200. Starting at the North Cottonwood trailhead just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. Chicken Spring Lake (PCT- Cottonwood Pass) Golden Trout 750.8 16.8 Cottonwood Pass: 11,140 ft. elev, 3.5 miles to Horseshoe Meadows 750.2 20.5 Cottonwood Pass Trailhead at Horseshoe Meadow Road Sequoia National Park boundary Mt Whitney Trail: Summit to Whitney Portal (Trail Crest Exit) Description. Even if you aren't interested in summiting Mount Langley, just hiking to the Cottonwood Lakes is a w COTTONWOOD LAKES DAY RIDE$195Cottonwood Pack Station to Cottonwood Pack StationDepart 6:30amReturn 5pm. Continue past the Golden Trout Camp. It feels kind of spooky as my hiking partner Bill drives us back . back if you follow the loop clockwise. The Cottonwood Lakes Basin reminds me somewhat of Humphreys Basin with both basins being above 11,000' in elevation and having one dominant mountain. The route is also considered to be an excellent location to view wildlife. This area has been popular with hikers since the late 1800s and is an excellent day hike or an attractive overnight primitive camping option. Cottonwood Lakes Trail Information. This year we decided to go to the Cottonwood Lakes area near Mt. Rd 350. It is about 6 miles from the parking to the closest lakes. Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground is located at the end of Horseshoe Meadow Road in the Inyo National Forest. We started at the Brighton Ski Resort parking lot, where there is meadow restoration being done. The trail is easy to follow and well-marked. The basin feels very different from most of the other Eastern Sierra hikes that I've done in that it is wide open with fewer rock walls or trees to provide shade & shelter. The hikes are steep, but absolutely gorgeous. The direct and official information for Cottonwood Lakes Backpacker Campground in Lone Pine, California. But we didn't originally plan on being there at all this summer, especially not for a measely three-day weekend. The trailhead sits above 10,000ft and allows for a few hours of acclimatizing. This is a short summary of what you will encounter on the Cottonwood Lakes trail and the Old Army Pass that leads to the Summit of Mt Langley. Hiking trips. Start Your Adventure at Cottonwood Lakes. Bringing you alongside charming creeks, past beautiful lakes and throughout imposing mountains, the Cirque Lake via Cottonwood Lakes Trail is an excellent choice for your next hike within Inyo National Forest. Here is an example of an early season two day trip. It sure was great to be back in the Sierra Nevada after two years of backpacking in what could arguably be called "lesser" locales, in terms of both elevation and beauty. The hike starts from the Cottonwood Lakes Campground, already at 10,000 feet, so your car does most of the legwork to get you to altitude. Usage: This is a perfect first time backpacking spot or gear shake down. Primarily used as an overnight backpacking route, the trail can be completed in a day as long as you are willing to travel a fair distance. In this case it is Mt. The Cottonwood Lakes hike probably gives you the most bang-for-your-buck in the Eastern Sierra. I finally took my first backpacking trip and it was amazing! Langley Summit via Old Army Pass — Old Army pass is slightly shorter than New Army Pass (possibly up to 2 mi.).. Five Days and Fifty miles on the Pacific Crest Trail. Here is an example of an early season two day trip. After you've had a chance to visit Red Pine Lake, plan another . Brighton Lakes Trail - Big Cottonwood Canyon. From there, the Cottonwood Lakes Trail gently makes its way through pristine alpine . Someone logged out some of the blowdowns and there isn't a ton of snow near the lake. Though unmaintained, the Old Cottonwood Lakes Trail was easy to follow as it gently climbed, following the creek. Grass slopes, carpeted with wildflowers make the uphill walk a delight. The Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead offers hikers an excellent starting point to explore areas/destinations such as the Cottonwood Lakes Basin, the Golden Trout Wilderness, Mt. After hiking a little over 0.5 miles the trail curves to the north, tops a low rise and then descends on ease grades to a crossing of the South Fork Cottonwood Creek at 1.4 miles. Having felt the warmth of the sun at Lakes 4 and 5, I was back to feeling the bite of the cold in the shade before the pass. The hike starts in the Horseshoe Meadows camping area. The trailhead is the White Pine Trailhead 5.5 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Four of us (including Pimby!) Langley squeaks by as one of California's 12 peaks that are 14,000 feet or more. What a great way to spend the holiday! When … Read More Round trip from where you park to Mirror Lake is 4 miles with 900 feet of elevation gain. Mirror and Cottonwood Lakes — Washington Trails Association. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Jul 1, 2010 at 7:30 am #1260719. This hike will take you 4.5 miles to the lake with about 2750 feet of elevation gain. | Nov. 20, 2021, 11:50 a.m. Salt Lake County search and rescue teams saved a hiker stuck in Little Cottonwood Canyon's Lisa Falls after a three-hour mission on Friday, resulting . The trail to Red Pine Lakes delivers one of the best hikes in Little Cottonwood Canyon. From the Cottonwood Creek trailhead, follow the creek up and into the Crazy Mountains to Cottonwood Lake. For convenience, you can just camp out at the trailhead which is at 10,000'. 4 before beginning a talus laden climb to Old Army Pass. The Hike. A cabin along the trail in the John Muir Wilderness. Bring your lunch, water and layers for variable weather. Mount Langley is the 9th tallest mountain in California and one of three California 14ers that can be accessed via a Class-1 hiking trail which makes it one of the easiest California 14ers to summit. Mirror Lake and Cottonwood Lake are on the homeland of the Duwamish, Snoqualmie and Wenatchi . Between May 1 and Nov. 1, overnight use is limited to 60 people / day. Beth Lopez. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Overview. Cottonwood Lake #1 Trail is a 10.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Cottonwood Lake No. This is a great hike for the views, the lakes, the landscape, and the wildflowers and of course Moose! And you'll hike along a well-maintained trail to boot. We even include a bushwhack and boulder hop to Red Pine Lake sits in the Lone Peak Wilderness Area, which boasts of wildflowers in summer and an array of birds to watch throughout the seasons. It is beautiful and a hard to get to area that is first come first serve and has about 10-15 camping spots. This road is closed so there is no vehicular traffic. We had planned to hike Mt. Langley, which has the . As the 9th highest peak in . Onion Valley to Cottonwood Lakes. Hopefully this will unite local hikers and allow us to meet and explore the beautiful landscape we inhabit. Langley. The summit of Mt Langley (14,026 feet) is a worthy side-trip to the Cottonwood Lakes Loop Backpacking Trip. Cottonwood Lakes Trail is a 16.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Horseshoe Meadows, California — I take one last look inside my car, checking to be sure I've left nothing that will appeal to the bears, and then I lock the doors.. by Andy Lewicky | SierraDescents.com. It is best to attempt this hike in the summer months because this area of the Crazies gets a lot of snow. Most of the trail is relatively flat, and you only gain 1,000 feet over 6 miles. Also, Another Wrong Campsite? Trails are numerous around Cottonwood Lakes. Harvard and Columbia. Not kidding. I have the Guide to the JMT by Kathy Morey with the Tom Harrison Topo maps included within it. With three close friends we decided to hike the Cottonwood Lakes Trail which is near Mt. Thus, as the Sierra Nevada emerge from the spring thaw . The trail passes through lightly forested, rolling terrain for the first 3 miles of the hike, soon joining Cottonwood Creek. Cottonwood Lakes Trail Map. The three-and-a-half mile walk to Desolation Lake from the Mill D trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon will knock your (hiking) socks off. Langley, Cirque Peak and the Pacific Crest Trail. Cottonwood Lake #3, the view from the cabin. Cottonwood Lake/Mirror Lake. If you're a hardcore local, you'll trail run this a couple times a week, no sweat. Popular and picturesque hike following beautiful North Cottonwood Creek; waterfalls and rushing rapids. Keep in mind that the trailhead starts at 10,000 feet so altitude is a factor. The hike starts from the Cottonwood Lakes Campground, already at 10,000 feet, so your car does most of the legwork to get you to altitude. The Cottonwood Lakes trail heads northwest through pine forest, ascending a small rise on gentle grades. I found there to be adequate water along the way for resupply. Driving up from Lone Pine, we started the weekend with a night camping at the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead. Cottonwood Lake 2 - 0 Miles - From Lake in Cottonwood Lake To Another campsite in Cottonwood Lakes Area - Cliffside Lake Retreat. It's that time of the year again. Member. A longer - and therefore more challenging route - the trail is ideal for more experienced hikers and those seeking a challenge. The trailhead resides at an elevation of approximately 10,000ft and climbs gently an additional 1,100ft through beautiful meadows with granite peaks towering above them, culminating in a series of picturesque lakes. The Hike. Dog Lake (the little one): This hike is a steep hike that begins at the Majestic ski run at Brighton. The High Sierra Trail, which begins at Crescent Meadow (in Sequoia National Park) and ends at Whitney Portal, is a great option for those who have a limited amount of time and want to hike to the top of Mt. Here are a few pics of the area: Cottonwood Lakes Trails Trip Report, August 17 2013. Out-and-back 1 mile RT. The hike is mostly mellow and you'll likely see hikers heading up to Horn Fork basin to hike Mt. The trail to Lake Blanche begins near the restroom on the east side of the trailhead. @rdegnim. Connecting trails in the basin lead to Muir Lake, Cottonwood Lakes #1 and #2, South Fork Lakes, Long Lake and High Lake as well as New Army Pass and Old Army Pass, offering ample opportunities for exploration on multi-day trips into the basin. At 10,000 feet in elevation, Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground makes a good place to spend a night before setting off into the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia National Park. Well, the days were drawing nearer and I started doing some research about Cottonwood Lakes. The Cottonwood Lakes hike probably gives you the most bang-for-your-buck in the Eastern Sierra. Red Pine Fork, a drainage on the south side of Little Cottonwood Canyon, contains two high-mountain lakes: Upper and Lower Red Pine Lakes. Beyond the Golden Trout Camp, the trail climbs gradually to the junction for New Army Pass. It was that time of year again where we headed off to the Sierras. Here are a few pics of the area: Cottonwood Lakes Trails Trip Report, August 17 2013. South Fork Meadow offered good views of tree-stubbled granite lumps to the east. Wandering further, the trail all but disappeared with only a few cairns to mark the way as it climbed . The walkway . Along the way pass the boundary for the Golden Trout Wilderness. 3. r/socalhiking. 1995: Rae Lakes 1997: South/North Lakes Loop 1998: Onion Valley to Whitney 2003: Cottonwood Lakes Loop 2004: Mineral King Loop 2005: Rae Lakes Loop Desolation Lake basically packs in all your favorite alpine terrain: pine trees, aspen trees, wildflowers, switchbacks, canopied trails, wide open meadows and a lake. Early Friday morning we hit up the Eastern Sierra Interagency Center and got a "walk-in" wilderness permit with no problem, . This is a difficult one way trail to Mount Langley in John Muir Wilderness. The popular day-hike is even better when you make it an overnighter, providing more time to explore the picturesque Upper and Lower Red Pine Lakes and the surrounding Lone Peak Wilderness. Lake Mary is a reservoir tucked below towering peaks at the end of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Mt. We meet early in the morning at the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead, do intorductions, divide up group gear and food, do a full pack check and then hike from the roadhead up and over Cottonwood Pass and descend a little over about a half mile to Chicken Springs Lake, our first night's camp. Despite the elevation, the hike up to Cottonwood lakes isn't too . Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground. Whitney. When … Read More Bring a picnic because you'll want to . Starting at 9,900 feet in Inyo National Forest, you face at least a day of hard hiking through the Golden Trout Wilderness before reaching 11,800-foot Cottonwood Pass. Acro Yoga at Long Lake Hiking up to Long Lake Cottonwood Lakes Basin Pimby and I went swimming every day. One gains about 1000 feet to the Cottonwood Lakes, and then another 3000 feet to the top of Mt. Cottonwood Lake Hiking Trail Cottonwood Lake is a high alpine lake in the midst of the spectacular Crazy Mountains. The hike is a long 21+ mile hike, but a lot of it is on flat ground. Mirror and Cottonwood Lakes Nestled in a quiet basin only a stone's throw from Snoqualmie Pass, pristine Mirror Lake is a destination to be enjoyed by the whole family. Yale, but the clouds were just too low for us. At 14,026 feet, Mt. Somewhere along the way there is an area called Golden Trout Camp which I assume is an area that Golden . This highly scenic trail is suitable for hiking and horseback riding (advanced riders). Langley. Mt. The Cottonwood Lakes Basin sits at over 10,000 ft and has numerous alpine lakes. There are two different campsites for walk in campers. Cottonwood Creek Trail. round trip—6.5 mi. Backpacking up to Lakes 4-5 — Exactly 11.5 mi. Desolation Lake. Follow the Pacific Crest Trail in a west-northwest direction as it gently traverses the southwest slopes of Cirque Peak into Sequoia National Park and onto the Siberian . The Cottonwood Lakes Trail is an excellent route within Inyo National Forest. This is a difficult one way trail to Mount Langley in Sequoia National Park. 365: From Main St./Hwy. Langley, which is over 14,000'. Andy Lewicky | SierraDescents.com. out, 5 mi. The route back to the trail over New Army Pass crosses the outflow for Cottonwood Lake 1. The trail is in great shape. We put on our backpacks and hike to other lakes (4 and 5) in the Cottonwood Lakes area. Lower & Upper Red Pine Lakes are classic high alpine hikes in Salt Lake City's Wasatch Front. decided to dayhike up Mt. Sierra Nevada backpacking: Cottonwood Lakes loop. With the splendor of Cardiff Fork at your back, walk about one mile up the trail and angle right at the turnoff to Desolation Lake. MAPS & ALL INFO: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/eastern-sierra-hikes/cottonwood-lakes-hike/GEAR LIST: https://hikingguy.com/best-hiking-gear/360 Versio. We were able to get out for a quick overnight trip and chose a scenic 12 mile out and back trip to Cottonwood Lakes. Cottonwood Lake you'll pass only about a mile from where you parked and it's much quieter. A longer - and therefore more challenging route - the trail is ideal for more experienced hikers and those seeking a challenge. And we also have a list of great family hikes in Little Cottonwood Canyon (Big Cottonwood's neighbor). The entry point and home base for the Golden Trout Wilderness and Cottonwood Lakes is the campground, Horseshoe Meadows. A short, steep climb to the lake is beautiful and leads to other lakes as well. 1 Reply. Fly-fishermen will be tempted to stay for a long time, but the opportunities for exploration are as abundant as the trout. There is very little uphill in the first two hours of the hike. Plan an extra day for your trip if you plan to climb this peak. The first two miles of this hike are along an old jeep trail. Lake Blanche lies in the upper section of Mill B South Fork. Sunscreen, a hat and rain gear are recommended. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, horses, and backpacking and is best used from April until October. From there, the Cottonwood Lakes Trail gently makes its way through pristine alpine terrain to a series of . Hi I will be hiking a segment of the John Muir trail starting at the Bishop pass trailhead with the intention of ending at the Cottonwood lakes trailhead in 10 days. The Cottonwood Lakes area is quite busy — it seems to be a popular . I've heard that Cottonwood Lake can be very crowded in the tourist season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), but after Labor Day, at least in the middle of the week, it is apparently much calmer and easier to find a secluded campsite or fishing spot. This campground is located 45 minutes up from Highway 395 at an elevation of just over 10,000 feet. It should be noted that the first 3.5 miles of the hike traverses a forested landscape with limited views. Mile 3.5 to 8.1 (Cottonwood Pass to Siberian Pass Trail) At the four-way trail junction just beyond Cottonwood Pass, turn right onto the Pacific Crest Trail toward Rock Creek. The trail wraps around Cottonwood Lake no. 5. The snow atop the highest peaks of California has nearly all drained down into the valleys below, the alpine flowers have opened, and the sun has reached its highest point in the sky of the boreal summer. Continue on and pass Cottonwood Lake Three on your left and then end at Cottonwood Lakes Four and Five. Coming to lakes 3 and 4, I found an old cabin across the meadow to the left. Cottonwood Canyon has steep, vertical cliffs. At the upper end of the trail, the elevation at the creek is 7,000 feet and the top of . Langley has a class 2 route. Ryan Degnim. For Fourth of July this year some friends and I backpacked up to the Cottonwood Lakes area in the John Muir Wilderness. Just before Lake Mary, Dog Lake is a short side trip. Park Phone. Directions: to Cty. This is a great place to camp out if you are looking for a place to acclimate before doing a high altitude hike such as Whitney. Backpacking Cottonwood Lakes. Distance. The trail heads up between the two lakes. Cottonwood Lakes Backpacking John Muir Wilderness. Both trails lead to Cottonwood Lakes. This is a place for fellow hikers and backpackers in Southern California to organize meet ups, post gear reviews, trip reviews, and etc. The highest peak in the Lower 48, the long way: a trip report . Whitney. At the southern end of the John Muir Wilderness lies the southernmost 14er in California, Mt. Obtain permits at any Inyo National Forest visitor center. Mt. Langley via Cottonwood Lakes and Old Army Pass. Cottonwood Pack Station is located at Horseshoe Meadows. The elevation at the mouth of the canyon is 4,800 feet with the top of the canyon wall at 7,200 feet. 6 reviews of Cottonwood Lakes "The Cottonwood Lakes are a series of 5 lakes in the high Eastern Sierra Nevada at about 11,000' elevation where you can catch California golden trout.

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