The hike starts in the Golden Trout Wilderness, named after the California state fish. Fly-fishermen will be tempted to stay for a long time, but the opportunities for exploration are as abundant as the trout. A Mt. One of the best places to search for golden trout lies in the Eastern Sierra, outside of Lone Pine, Calif. (located halfway between Reno and L.A. on Highway 395) and known as a hub to a number of amazing High Sierra trout fisheries. 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. Bring your lunch, water and layers for variable weather. Located near Horseshoe Meadows, the Cottonwood Lakes Basin has many pristine alpine lakes and creeks located between Mount Langley and Cirque Peak. Dispose of trash in bear proof trash receptacles. Bishop, CA 93514. The Golden Trout are plentiful! Located near Horseshoe Meadows, the Cottonwood Lakes Basin has many pristine alpine lakes and creeks located between Mount Langley and Cirque Peak. Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips. Log in, This blog is simply a hobby and labor of love for me. 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. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed and lakes 1-4 and in Cottonwood Creek. For information and reservations, call (760) 878-2015. Cottonwood Lakes. New Army Pass Trail Junction to Cottonwood Lakes, 2.3 miles. Located near Horseshoe Meadows, the Cottonwood Lakes Basin has many pristine alpine lakes and creeks located between Mount Langley and Cirque Peak. Inyo National Forest Multi-day. Check the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations for more information. The Cottonwood Lakes are situated in a rugged, almost inaccessible section of Inyo County near the Tulare County line, at the head of Cottonwood Creek, at an elevation of 11,150 feet. Side trails branch to Muir Lake, Hidden Lake, South Fork Lakes, Cirque Lake. The Cottonwood Lakes Trail gives you easy access to Mt Langley. Cottonwood Lakes' golden trout attract many anglers. Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead. Langley area:  8. Cottonwood Lake, Colorado fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly-fishing weather. Consists of Goldens, Brookies, and Browns. The Cottonwood Lakes trail heads northwest through pine forest, ascending a small rise on gentle grades. Small streams meander through tree-rimmed meadows in this wilderness area named for California's state fish, the Golden Trout. Le sentier longe un lac et sa difficulté est évaluée comme difficile. THE GOLDEN TROUT OF COTTONWOOD LAKES By FRED Koch Sierra Club Bulletin - 1911 The snow was still on the ground when we got there, young Dutcher and I, with our pack trains, and as the sun was going down, we unloaded the mules, and picked out a little clear spot on the edge of the meadow, where we built a fire, hoping to dry off a Unsubscribe at any time. Even without a trail at all, hiking was easy through widely spaced … Obtain permits at any Inyo National Forest visitor center. Here the trail runs level for a while and then climbs out of the basin to the Cottonwood Lakes area. Beyond the Golden Trout Camp the trail climbs gradually to the junction for New Army Pass. An important unmarked junction is a few hundred feet beyond the crossing. The Cottonwood Lakes are home to California's state fish, the Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita). golden trout camp p a c i f i c c r e s t n i c r a a t ’ l s c e i t l pct 6s02 118°07'30" 118°157'00" 118°07'30" 118°157'00" 36° 30' 00" 36° 22' 30" trail pass cottonwood pass cottonwood lakes john muir wilderness golden trout wilderness d horseshoe mdw rd closed in winter to mount whitney area to south sierra area . Along the trail to New Army Pass are Long Lake and High Lake in the John Muir Wilderness. From Memorial Day weekend through October 31, all food, trash and scented items must be stored in bear-proof containers. hard (1) Length: 63.3 mi • Est. The half dozen Cottonwood Lakes are clustered in a basin at the foot of 14,032-foot Mount Langley. After about a mile, the trail crosses the South Fork of Cottonwood Creek. Though unmaintained, the Old Cottonwood Lakes Trail was easy to follow as it gently climbed, following the creek. Muir Lake from the old Cottonwood Trailhead is a 13.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. My understanding is that this is no longer the case. Continue past the Golden Trout Camp. Ride to Cottonwood Lakes to fish, hike or photograph the area. Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead Campground is located at the end of Horseshoe Meadow Road in the Inyo National Forest. Along the way pass the boundary for the Golden Trout Wilderness. Between May 1 and Nov. 1, overnight use is limited to 60 people / day. Cottonwood Lake is a reservoir located just 9 miles from Buena Vista, in Chaffee County, in the state of Colorado, United States, near Alpine (historical), CO. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and northern pike here. Along the trail to New Army Pass are Long Lake and High Lake in the John Muir Wilderness. 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. We will bring a pack mule to carry your personal gear and fishing … The Cottonwood Lakes trail passes through more open country with views of Mount Langley. At an elevation of 11,200 feet, Cottonwood Pass serves as a gateway to the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park.The pass is reached via a 3.5-mile one way trail from Horseshoe Meadow, which has an elevation of 10,000 feet, making this is one of the easiest passes for hikers to reach in the Eastern Sierra. To purchase maps and guidebooks go to esiaonline.com. https://californiathroughmylens.com/golden-trout-wilderness-cottonwood-lakes The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. The Cottonwood Lakes basin is famous for it’s Golden Trout fishing. The current trail may not match some older maps. Fishing was prohibited as the Department of Fish and Game would harvest the fish in the lakes and distribute them via pack and air to remote lakes in the Sierra High Country. COTTONWOOD LAKES DAY RIDE $195 Cottonwood Pack Station to Cottonwood Pack Station Depart 6:30am Return 5pm. Today, they are reported to be nearly pure golden trout with marginal contamination of hatchery rainbow trout. The lakes were stocked in the early 1870's with golden trout from Mulkey Creek, a tributary to the South Fork of the Kern River. Suite 200 National Forests in California are using recreation fee revenues to improve and enhance recreation opportunities. Its hard being the bearer of bad news, but it is bad out there! Take Cottonwood Lakes Trail from Horseshoe Meadow as it runs downhill heading north through the Golden Trout Wilderness. Length 13.9 mi … Side trails branch to Muir Lake, Hidden Lake, South Fork Lakes, Cirque Lake. 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 golden trout in the Cottonwood Lakes were initially used as brood stock for the rehabilitation of golden trout waters and, I assume, the export of golden trout to other lakes in the Sierras. ! Brood Stock for California Golden Trout The California Department of Fish and Game has used the trout in Cottonwood Lakes as a source for eggs since 1918. It starts off fairly level then descends a bit to the golden trout camp area. Starting from the end of Horseshoe Meadows Road,the trail over Cottonwood Pass goes to the northern portion of the Golden Trout Wilderness. Sunscreen, a hat and rain gear are recommended. Le sentier offre plusieurs activités et sa meilleure utilisation est de juillet à novembre. 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. Langley attempt in the Golden Trout Wilderness of California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. Recently, biologists concluded these fish are hybridized with rainbow trout and that the offspring are not genetically pure California goldens. A log positioned over the creek provides a bridge for days when rock hopping would cause wet toes. It begins at the Horseshoe Meadow parking lot at an elevation of 10,000 feet. 13 of these fish were transported to Cottonwood Creek in 1876. For fishing regulations, go to http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/, For fishing regulations go to http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/. 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