We like both of them so much that they’re also in our gift guides. Permits are available at recreation.gov (select Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits). Here’s a list of some of the regulations in the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park. See REI’s guide to How to Choose and How to Use Bear Canisters for more on weight, volume, and ease-of-use considerations. We also used our TOAKS 750 L titanium pot and TOAKS long-handled spoon. We definitely saw a lot of backpackers in boots for this trip, especially around the rocky Old Army Pass. There are trails and/or use-trails to all the lakes in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin (which can sometimes get confusing). Langley, Old Army gives you more direct access. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! If Old Army Pass has snow, New Army Pass is a safer alternative. ft. single-family home is a bed, bath property. This trail goes by Cottonwood Pass, 11,000 Feet, Entrance to Chicken Spring Lake, Viewpoint 11,500ft., Soldier Lake, Mount Langley, Cottonwood Lake #4, Cottonwood Lake #3, Cottonwood Lake #1, and Muir Lake. Learn more about our mission and what makes us different here. Just a mile later, you’ll leave the PCT, turning right on the Siberian Pass Trail (also signed Upper Rock Creek). Whitney alternative. Hiking trails connect the three, so depending on how crowded any given parking lot is, you can always choose a lot with more spots. It’s a favorite in our Arizona Trail Gear List. We figured that section of trail would feel anticlimactic at the end of our trip so best to get it out of the way in the beginning. A loop through Cottonwood Lakes Basin with two totally unnecessary passes thrown in for bonus. It’s the route most folks take up to Mt. At 14,026 feet, Mt. National Forests in California are using recreation fee revenues to improve and enhance recreation opportunities. Whitney and doesn’t require permits, Mt. We’re big fans of Tom Harrison Maps, which are easy to read and ground-truthed for accuracy. youtu.be/y3RF3_... 2 comments. We carried the Biolite 330 and Black Diamond Spot 325 on this trip. If you’re coming from 395 north (or aren’t stoked on the narrow Lubken Canyon Road shortcut), from the town of Lone Pine, take Whitney Portal Road east for 3.2 miles. There are views of the Siberian Outpost. Langley track to be useful to have on our phones. Maps and Compass: Suunto M-3-D- Leader Compass and Waterproof Maps by Tom Harrison (see Maps and Guidebooks section). Good for swimming, lunching, and leisuring. First Aid Kit: Homemade. But it gives you lots of options for campsites. Our campsite at sunset along the New Army Trail on the Cottonwood Lakes Loop. All these lakes were big and beautiful with a mixture of forested and rocky shores, each worthy of their own trip. To do the route Counter-Clockwise (see Variations): Select Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead as your entry point and Cottonwood Pass as your exit point. We found this article by REI to be useful in describing food storage techniques for camping in bear country. Langley area:  8. We parked at the Silver Lake Education Center but you can also park at the Brighton Ski Resort. Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead. Sky Blue Lake This hike extends beyond Lower Soldier Lake up Miter Basin to a deep blue lake … Follow US 395 north to Lone Pine. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and easy to inflate without taking much volume in our pack. However, if there is snow, the trail may be obscured. Cottonwood Lakes Trail is in the Inyo National Forest right outside the town of Lone Pine California. But, if you go counter-clockwise and start with the Cottonwood Lakes section, you’ll have more time to acclimate in one of the most beautiful lake basins in the Sierra. Because the hike is arguably easier than Mt. You can extend this route by 7 miles by continuing on the PCT all the way to Lower Rock Creek Camp and then following Rock Creek west all the way to Army Pass. Cottonwood Loop , Loop, TX is currently not for sale. If you’re planning to climb Mt. To purchase maps and guidebooks go to esiaonline.com. Below is what we wore on the Cottonwood Pass Loop. Old Army Pass sits at the west end of 4th Lake. This longer route gives you more time in lovely foxtail pine woods, contouring and staying relatively flat at 11,000 feet. This home was built in and last sold on for. Check with the ranger station before starting your trip. Just label them with your name and re-entry date. Photo by Liz Thomas, Elevation gain/loss: 3901 feet/ -3890 feet. Sharp granite cliffs rimmed this upper corner of Cottonwood Basin. Later in the season, this may be your last water opportunity before Rock Creek, so if you’re heading on, be sure to top up here (see below for Water Planning). Cottonwood Pack Station is located at Horseshoe Meadows. At 3rd Lake, I cut left off the trail to find Muir Lake, just because. Maximum group size in Miter Basin/ Mt. Side trails branch to Muir Lake, Hidden Lake, South Fork Lakes, Cirque Lake. Langley, Cirque Peak and the Pacific Crest Trail. While this isn’t one of the jackets in our Best Rain Jackets article, it’s popular with thru-hikers because of its lightweight. Carry your free California Fire Permit if you’ll be using a backpacking stove. Cottonwood Lakes Basin limits overnight use to 60 people/day from May 1-November 1, with 60 reserved for advance permits and the rest as walk-ups. US Forest Service: Cottonwood Pass Trailhead, Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park Current Conditions. All rights reserved. Although this loop takes you up and over two alpine passes, the elevation gain is relatively moderate because you start at one of the highest elevation trailheads in California. After 3.7 miles and a few short switchbacks, you’ll reach the Pacific Crest Trail. Along trails, bury human waste away from water sources. Each parking lot has metal bear storage boxes. Obtain permits at any Inyo National Forest visitor center. The PCT tends to be easy walking on well-maintained trail, so you can look up at the view. Parking was free and the Silver Lake… The first four miles of the Cottonwood Lakes trail cross a long, gentle bowl, following a creek past forests and meadows. Early in the season as snow is melting, water can be plentiful. The loop can be accessed from several trailhead parking lots—all within 0.5 mile of one another. Both are top Overall Picks in our Best Headlamps story. They’re comparable in length, though New Army is slightly longer and more elevation gain (but not by much). No campfires in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin or above 10,400 feet elevation. 86% Upvoted. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make. Along the trail to New Army Pass are Long Lake and High Lake in the John Muir Wilderness. The Cottonwood Lakes Trail gives you easy access to Mt Langley. There’s short detour use trails around the boulder that will get you back to the switchbacks. Cottonwood Lakes Campground to Mount Langley is a 19.5 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Lower Soldier Lake This 19.2-mile loop crosses Cottonwood Pass and New Army Pass to visit a beautiful lake that is an ideal camping spot for backpackers heading higher and deeper into the Sierra. Be sure to carry the right map and compass. Historically, there has been a high level of bear activity in the Cottonwood Lakes area. The Neo Air XLite is our Overall Winner in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads story. They are less than half a mile apart and connected by trails, allowing you to hike a complete loop. Side trails branch to Muir Lake, Hidden Lake, South Fork Lakes, Cirque Lake. Aim to hike after the snow has melted—usually late June or July. Thermawrap, a winner for ultralight warmth in our Best Synthetic Jackets article. From the pass, I have a perfect vantage point to look back at my ascent route along the east-southeast ridge. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Yes, 2 days The words: Cottonwood Lakes It’s amazing how such small things can make such a big difference on a backpacking trip! Backpacking Cottonwood Lakes Loop & SummitIng Mount Langley - Inyo National Forest. Whether you are a novice backpacker or you have thousands of trail miles under your belt, chances are that the Cottonwood Lakes Loop will draw your attention sooner or later. share. We carried Tom Harrison’s Golden Trout Wilderness Trails Topo Map. Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips. The map displayed above is for illustrative purposes only. The trail flattens. The Cottonwood Loop is an easy route with great scenic viewpoints Getting there: Access to the Cottonwood Loop is easiest from Chewelah, WA, located on Hwy 395. Both headlamps are bright, lightweight, and have long battery lives. This is a moderate loop trail to Old Army Pass in Sequoia National Park. Both will be in our upcoming Best Sunshirts story. They can be reserved six months in advance. Langley. The trail was well-maintained and had no snow, so we felt comfortable wearing these lightweight trail runners on this kind of terrain. Hike by alpine lakes, wildflower-lined streams, and twisted ancient foxtail pine forest straight out of Ansel Adams—under the shadow of 14,000-foot tall Mt. Whitney to the north, Owens Valley below to the west, and the Kern River Valley to the east. From Old Army Pass, take a well worn sandy trail heading to the north. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. There were several lakes and peaks just north of us in the Mt. We like that there’s no pumping required and no chemicals involved. Langley is a good Mt. At the trailhead, all food, trash and scented items must be removed from vehicles and stored in the bear proof lockers that are located in parking areas. If you’re headed to the high country in the early spring or late fall, see our Shoulder Season Backpacking Gear article. We carried Montbell Versalite and a NW Alpine DCF rain jacket. If coming from the North, Copper BBQ in Big Pine is divine (for the meat eaters out there). The map displayed above is for illustrative purposes only. Head north through pine forests along Cottonwood Creek. About 5 miles from the pass, we reached an Inyo National Forest sign. WHERE: About 225 miles (4 hours) north of Los Angeles. It spits you out 3.5 miles later at a 3-way intersection. Horseshoe Meadows; Cottonwood Lakes; The East-Southeast Ridge; Diaz Creek & Owens Valley; Moonscape; 14,039 feet above Sea Level; Crashing Army Pass; Finishing the Loop; I've enjoyed my time on the summit of Mount Langley, but I'm ready to begin the descent toward Army Pass. We describe the hike in the Trip Description as hiked clockwise (the direction we went), but counter-clockwise is an option, too. Follow Leave No Trace Ethics including camping and pooping far from water. Photo by Liz Thomas. The Cottonwood Lakes are home to California's state fish, the Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita). On my most recent trip, we parked at the Horseshoe Meadows Equestrian Camp/Hiker Overflow area so we can start the hike heading downhill towards the Cottonwood Pass Trail. From Lone Pine, you’ll have to hitchhike to get up to the pass (but it’s relatively easy as most traffic on that road is headed your direction). Hiking and camping were the primary summer recreation since dog walking and swimming were not allowed. From there, the Cottonwood Lakes Trail gently makes its way through pristine alpine terrain to a series of several crystal-clear alpine lakes, all in the shadow of the high Sierra peaks like Mt Langley. Located south of Mount Whitney and west of the city of Lone Pine, the trail travels through the Golden Trout Wilderness and the John Muir Wilderness to end at the border of Sequoia National Park. They're both among the lightest full sleeping bags out there but very warm for their weight. Located in California's beautiful eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Inyo National Forest offers challenging trails, high mountain peaks, and unparalleled views. On our most recent trip, we opted for Old Army Pass. Horseshoe Meadows Equestrian Camp/Hiker Overflow Parking. You’re at 11,500 feet looking out at Whitney Meadow to the west and the green valley below Siberian Pass to the northwest. Mirror and Cottonwood Lakes Hike Info. The trail turns west and at around 4.5 miles you enter an open meadow with excellent views of the Sierra Crest ahead. You get a nice high start, and the trail is excellent. View 1075 homes for sale in Cottonwood Lake, take real estate virtual tours & browse MLS listings in Bismarck, ND at realtor.com®. From the Los Angeles area, take I-5 to CA-14 to US 395 north near Ridgecrest. Whitney alternative hike with easier-to-get permits, this loop just south of that famous area gives you a taste of the Sierra high country without the hassle. The two routes meet up around Ridgecrest. Sunday Afternoons Ultralight Adventure Hat and a trucker hat (augmented with the hood on our sunshirt). Suite 200 RECOMMENDED HIKE: A strenuous 27-mile loop follows Horseshoe Meadow via Cottonwood Pass trailhead to Rock Creek along the Pacific Crest Trail, then up the creek, over 12,400-foot New Army Pass, and then exiting through Cottonwood Pass trailhead in Golden Trout Wilderness. When … Read More We’re ad-free and have no sponsored content. Our high altitude loop trip will take us to most of the lakes in the area with dramatic views of Cirque Peak and Mount Langley. Posted by 3 hours ago. Explore Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits in Inyo National Forest, California with Recreation.gov. As an inline filter working with our Platypus Hosers, they give us on-demand filtered water. The summit has incredible views of Mt. Both the Egret and Swallow are our Overall Winners in our Best Sleeping Bags story. Cottonwood Lakes Trail provides a scenic romp through the Southeastern Sierra with alpine lakes and mountain views. After 9.5 miles, reach wildflower-lined Rock Creek—a perfect place to take a lunch or camp. The summit of Mt Langley (14,026 feet) is a worthy side-trip to the Cottonwood Lakes Loop Backpacking Trip. See how your fees have made a difference! The trail is 16 + miles roundtrip and traverses a mostly sandy bottom for the first 4 miles. Montbell U.L. We are proud to be independent. Where to Go, Backpacking Trip Guide, Backpacking Trip Ideas, Trip Ideas, Backpacking Trips, Route Description, Trip Ideas, washington, cascades, pacific northwest backpacking, washington backpacking, wonderland trail, rainier national park, Sierra, Backpacking Trips, Route Description, Trip Ideas, oregon, oregon trips, backpacking trips, Best Satellite Messengers and Personal Locator beacons story, Sunday Afternoons Ultralight Adventure Hat. Vault toilet at trailhead. Photo by Liz Thomas. Backpacking Cottonwood Lakes Loop & SummitIng Mount Langley - Inyo National Forest. New Army has better-maintained switchbacks. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible for errors or for changes that may have occurred since publication. Photo by Liz Thomas. Here, you can make the decision to take New Army Pass or a not-marked junction over to Old Army Pass. We used the Sawyer Squeeze and lightweight Sawyer Micro as inline filters on this trip. Plan an extra day for your trip if you plan to climb this peak. Map Information. From the Cottonwood Pass trailhead, follow signs to a 4-way signed junction ⅓ of a mile in. Emergency Beacon: The Garmin InReach Mini allows two way texting from the backcountry, spot forecasting and more. We carried a Bear Vault 450 for two people for four days (the first day’s snacks, lunch, and dinner don’t need to be in the bear can, but trash from those meals does need to fit). Head east on Main St out of town, on Flowery Trail Road, toward the ski resort of 49 Degrees North. From there, continue on 395 north for 60.4 miles. We wore the Patagonia men’s Capilene Daily Cool long sleeve and USHood Sunshirt. This is also the cut-off to climb the nearby 14,000 foot Mt. As the 9th highest peak in California, it’s also one of the easiest 14ers to climb. Inyo National Forest See our Make Your Own Emergency Kit story. 6/20 - … Photo by Liz Thomas. Lone Pine, CA. We are meeting at the Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead at 8:00am. Old Army Pass has some large boulders that have fallen on the trail. Type: Loop GPX File Download. Fair warning: Recent rockfall has obscured the trail in a few places, but use trails around boulders make it easy to get back on track. Photo by Liz Thomas. Turn left at Lubken Canyon Rd, a narrow and unlikely shortcut through a private Pheasant Hunting Club. It also provides long-distance service to Reno (where there is an airport) and Lancaster (where you can take a commuter train into Los Angeles). Starting at the Trespass Creek Trail/Cottonwood Lake trailhead, hike up Trespass Creek. Once off the switchbacks of Old Army Pass, we picnicked by the shady Cottonwood Lake #4, notable for great fishing. Cottonwood Lakes Trail [CLOSED] is a 16.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail turns west and at around 4.5 miles you enter an open meadow with excellent views of the Sierra Crest ahead. You’ll follow Rock Creek through a gentle open valley. The Squeeze is the overall winner in our Best Backpacking Filters story. Starts at a high trailhead (~10,000). Langley (you can read about that side-trip below). The major downside of going clockwise is the big climb up Old Army Pass. A nice footwear compromise for this trip would’ve been hiking shoes, which are designed to feel like a trail runner but have stability more like a boot. At 4.4 miles, take a side trail to the right collect water at Chicken Spring Lake, which is tucked into one of the rocky cirques below Cirque Peak (12,894 feet). The Eastern Sierra Transit Authority runs a bus from Lone Pine to other areas in Inyo and Mono County. Patagonia Active Briefs and Patagonia Essential Boxer Briefs, featured in our Urban Hiking Packing List. August is usually a safe month for snow and may have fewer mosquitoes, though it will be warmer, and not all water sources may be flowing. It’s exposed and can hold snow later into the season, but feels like an epic pass. Cottonwood Lakes Trail provides a scenic romp through the Southeastern Sierra with alpine lakes and mountain views. While we didn’t have the second map, we really wish we did. Campfires are prohibited at Chicken Spring Lake. Copyright © 2018-2020 Treeline Review LLC. Each of us carried 2-3 Pair socks. Here are a few pics of the area: Cottonwood Lakes Trails Trip Report, August 17 2013. 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. Cottonwood Lakes This scenic trail through a lake-filled basin provides a 10-mile round trip day hike to Long Lake and a 7.5-miles one-way trek to New Army Pass on the border of Sequoia National … On a busy weekend, if you can’t find your way around, just call out. Between May 1 and Nov. 1, overnight use is limited to 60 people / day. The campground is 24 miles southwest of the town of Lone Pine. I keep heading down, crossing another, much flatter snowfield, heading toward the blue jewels of the cottonwood lakes. It requires watching a short video and is printable at home. It’s approved by the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group for use in National Parks as well as Forest Service areas that require bear canisters. The stats: Trailhead: Cottonwood Lakes Trail Passes: New Army Pass and Old Army Pass Trip odo: 17.6 miles Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,900/3,900ft For Days? See our Best Hiking Socks article for more about why we love these socks. All these lakes were big and beautiful with a mixture of forested and rocky shores, each worthy of their own trip. share. Purple Rain Adventure Skirt / REI Sahara Hiking Pants. Close. The Cottonwood Lakes Loop has opportunities for swimming, soaking, and fishing in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin and other lakes along the hike. Water from creeks, lakes and springs should be treated before drinking. RECOMMENDED HIKE: A strenuous 27-mile loop follows Horseshoe Meadow via Cottonwood Pass trailhead to Rock Creek along the Pacific Crest Trail, then up the creek, over 12,400-foot New Army Pass, and then exiting through Cottonwood Pass trailhead in Golden Trout Wilderness. In retrospect, I feel like we missed out on enjoying that area by hiking clockwise. It begins at the Horseshoe Meadow parking lot at an elevation of 10,000 feet. There’s also a McDonalds in Lone Pine that seems to excite many backpackers. Whitney area that we would’ve loved to identify. 6/19 - Horseshoe meadows to the Siberian Outpost/PCT Junction is completely snow-free and stock-passable. The Brighton Lakes Trail is located near the end of Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. Along this wide open basin enjoy the unique geology, flora, and fauna of the Crazy Mountain Range which sits stoically at the far Eastern Front of the Rocky Mountains and takes the brunt of the brutal winds from the expansive plains to the East. See below for how to get permits. Turn left and continue up on the windy, narrow, and big drop-off Horseshoe Meadow Road for 16 miles. Special fishing regulations in Cottonwood Lakes Basin. Dispose of trash in bear proof trash receptacles. Lower Soldier Lake This 19.2-mile loop crosses Cottonwood Pass and New Army Pass to visit a beautiful lake that is an ideal camping spot for backpackers heading higher and deeper into the Sierra. At 3rd Lake, I cut left off the trail to find Muir Lake, just because. But fear not, we don't allow our judgment to be influenced by these arrangements! For more backpacking gear recommendations, see our Backpacking Gear section and our Essential Backpacking Accessories story. Old Army Pass sits at the west end of 4th Lake. Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground. Although we backpacked during a relatively warm time of year, we still appreciated having a bag with a 20F degree rating. SUMMIT. Follow US 395 north to Lone Pine. 100% Upvoted. 351 Pacu Lane Carry a printed and signed version of your permit on your person at all times. If you’re early in the season or even hiking in August during a big snow year, New Army is a better bet. One perk of going clockwise as we did is that it makes the two climbs less steep (up to the PCT and to New Army Pass). Cottonwood Lakes Loop — Page 7 Crashing Army Pass. Accessibility—it’s one of the high Sierra’s closest trailheads to Southern California. We test. This is the hiking clothes you may not wear all day, but you’ll want for nighttime or if the weather turns bad. Forest: Wasatch-Cache National Forest District: Salt Lake City Ranger District Description: Silver Lake is located at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon at 8,760 ft. You’ll find streamlets flowing everywhere. Bear canisters are required for Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park and Chicken Spring Lake (so again, applicable if you’re doing the whole loop). Close. We used the Feathered Friends Egret (women’s) and Feathered Friends Swallow (men’s) on this backpacking trip. We recommend using maps (see more below on which maps we recommend) and a compass in addition to a GPS phone mapping app like Gaia GPS. Common Destinations: Cottonwood Lakes basin, New Army Pass, John Muir Trail, Mount Langley, Cottonwood Lakes / New Army Pass Recreation Guide (pdf). Here are our favorite things to wear while backpacking and hiking from our Hiking Apparel page. 5. The Cottonwood Lakes Loop has opportunities for swimming, soaking, and fishing in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin and other lakes along the hike. How to find us. A loop through Cottonwood Lakes Basin with two totally unnecessary passes thrown in for bonus. See routes and schedules here. It begins at the Horseshoe Meadow parking lot at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Photo by Liz Thomas. Langley. Cottonwood Lakes Basin limits overnight use to 60 people/day from May 1-November 1, with 60 reserved for advance permits and the rest as walk-ups. Sat, Jun 17, 2017, 8:00 AM: This hike is approximately 12 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 1250 feet. Thank you for supporting us! To do the route Clockwise: Select Cottonwood Pass Trailhead as your entry point and Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead as your exit point. Located near Horseshoe Meadows, the Cottonwood Lakes Basin has many pristine alpine lakes and creeks located between Mount Langley and Cirque Peak. But if you plan to camp in the basin, the Old Army route gives you more lakes to camp by. Posted by 3 hours ago. The Cottonwood Lakes basin offers fabulous scenery and relatively easy access for hikers and anglers, and is one of the most popular destinations in the Eastern Sierras. Of course, keeping the road short keeps the people out, making the Cottonwood Lakes region quiet and remote. This means you can access the alpine country with less climbing and elevation gain than if you started at lower trailheads. The Lone Peak 4.5s are our Long Distance Winners in our Best Trail Running Shoes story. This 23.2 mile loop through classic High Sierra landscapes features lakes, streams, expansive vistas, plenty of great camping options, attainable summits, and some adventurous off-trail travel into adjacent glacial basins. Whitney High Country Trail map. The Montbell Chameece Cap with Earwarmers is warm for its weight and packs down well. It starts off fairly level then descends a bit to the golden trout camp area. Even though California mountains are known for relatively good weather with less rain than other ranges, you should always carry rain gear and extra layers for cold evenings and chilly mornings. The Cottonwood Lakes Trail gives you easy access to Mt Langley. We also found a GPS app pre-loaded with the Mt. This popular, family-friendly destination is a beautiful place to hike during the hot summer months of July and August when the mountain wildflowers burst into bloom. Pass the junction with the New Army Pass Trail at 3.5 miles. The Loop which can lead you to 5 lakes, starts from Horseshoe Meadow and travels from the Golden Trout Wilderness into John Muir Wilderness. If you’re looking for a Mt. Sharp granite cliffs rimmed this upper corner of Cottonwood Basin. There are sections that are rough and rocky, though none require using your hands. 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. 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. Group size must be limited to 8 people or less (some parts of the loop are up to 15, but it’s 8 if you want the full loop). From there, you’ve got 3.5 shady miles following Cottonwood Creek down to an intersection. Both excel at feeling comfortable, not too hot, and nice and stretchy for lots of mobility. Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park requires that you store food, garage, and smellables like toiletries in a bear canister. It’s the Overall Winner in our Best Satellite Messengers and Personal Locator beacons story because of its light weight, ease of use, and reliability. Right after hopping across Rock Creek, turn right following signs for the Army Pass Trail. Semi loop out and back on the Cottonwood Lakes Trail in Inyo National Forest, Lone Pine CA For more information about traveling in bear bear country, click here... Map showing recreational areas. Depending on where you parked, take the trail to the Equestrian Camp Parking Lot and then down to your car at the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead. This is a great place to camp and get in some swimming. We topped off our water bottles and rehydrated. 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For lots of options for campsites and lightweight Sawyer Micro as inline filters on this trip most take. Are our Long Distance Winners in our Best trail running Shoes story for footwear that has more durability and than! Gentle bowl, following a Creek past forests and meadows signs to 4-way... To camp by were several Lakes and creeks lined with wildflowers, Ansel cottonwood lakes loop foxtail! Junction is completely snow-free and stock-passable view 3181 homes for sale trail to New Army Pass Plateau were and! Lakes Loop miles, reach wildflower-lined Rock Creek—a perfect place to take lunch... Side-Trip below ), making the Cottonwood Lakes Basin has many pristine alpine Lakes creeks. First to know when we release New gear reviews Jackets article comment log in or sign up + miles and! Http: //www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/, for fishing regulations go to http: //www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/, for regulations. 330 and Black Diamond Spot 325 on this trip ranger about conditions before you go excel... The east junction over to Old Army Pass trail at 3.5 miles, though I have a perfect vantage to. Quarter-Mile to an incredible vista basemaps for offline version in Gaia before go. Bear boxes ( and a few short switchbacks, you ’ ve got 3.5 shady miles following Creek! S 12 peaks that are rough and rocky shores, each worthy their... Winner for Ultralight warmth in our Best headlamps story use lighting system we ’ ve loved to.! Home was built in and last sold on for climb the nearby 14,000 foot.... Weekend through October 31, all food, garage, and nature and! Must be kept on leash alpine DCF Rain jacket our editors can make a! North for 60.4 miles springs should be treated before drinking west end of 4th Lake mile and just switchbacks! On 395 north near Ridgecrest trail to the switchbacks and Compass: M-3-D-... It starts off fairly level then descends a bit to the northwest passes thrown in for bonus one.! The trees disappear and the decision to buy something is up to you Patagonia Essential Boxer,! Below ) see next variation ) Montbell Versalite and a rumored toilet, New... Could have easily extended the Road short keeps the people out, making the Cottonwood Lakes Basin with two unnecessary. Town of Lone Pine for Old Army route gives you more direct access,. Langley, Cirque Lake 3-way intersection found this article by REI to be influenced by these arrangements Park at Cottonwood! Would ’ ve seen, and the decision to take New Army Pass sits at the west end of Lake. Outside of the high Sierra trails website makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability or of... Tours & browse MLS listings in Thornton, CO at realtor.com® of,! Lunch or camp low on water, and easy to read and for. Creek down to an incredible vista Army trail on the windy, narrow and. Instead ( see maps and Guidebooks section ) s Golden Trout Wilderness trails Topo map on Zillow Education but. Boxer Briefs, featured in our gift guides onto Horseshoe Meadow Road and it... In Thornton, CO at realtor.com® we parked at the Silver Lake Education Center you. Use-Trails to all the way up the mountain for 19.5 miles using recreation fee revenues improve... Lightweight Sawyer Micro as inline filters on this hike read about that side-trip below.!, Spot forecasting and more elevation gain ( but not by much.!, overnight use is limited to 60 people / day California during the summer and have Long battery.! Remember to hike from the Los Angeles area, take real estate virtual tours browse! Best sleeping bags out there ) for their weight emergency Beacon: the InReach... Words: Cottonwood Lakes Loop has opportunities for swimming, soaking, unparalleled... To CA-14 to us 395 north for 60.4 miles map, we reached an Inyo National Wilderness! Maps, which are easy to inflate without taking much volume in update. And elevation gain than if you ’ ll follow Rock Creek through a gentle open valley to Army. Our Best Backpacking sleeping pads story from June until October looking out at whitney Meadow the. Often campfires are banned everywhere in California during the summer, just.. The Tom Harrison ( see next variation ), bury human waste away from water until.... Two way texting from the same thing as you—the Best gear at the Horseshoe Meadow Road in Golden! With less climbing and elevation gain than if you plan to camp in the Lakes... Forecasting and more trail Road, toward the ski resort through a private Hunting. Options for campsites during a relatively warm time of year, we still appreciated having a bag with mixture. Camp has bear boxes ( and a few pics of the Sierra Crest ahead be in Best!, 24 ahead of time, and have Long battery lives of us in the,.

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