SA Report: High all weekend
Trip Date: 8/17/2014
Location: Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo National Forest
Permit/Pass: Dayhiking is free. Permits required for backcountry camping. $5/person, $6 transaction fee. Permit pickup at Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center.
Trails: SherpaGuides Map
Directions: From Highway 395 just south of Lone Pine turn east on SR 136 and then take an immediate right into the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center. This is where you procure your permit. Drive miles south to Lubken Canyon Rd. Turn right (west) onto Lubken Canyon Rd. and head up 3.3 miles to an intersection with Horseshoe Meadows Rd. Turn left and follow Horseshoe Meadows Rd. 16 miles to a parking circle for the Cottonwood Pass / Trail Pass trailhead and walk-in campground. The trailhead is at the west end of the parking area.
Synopsis: The hike to Cottonwood Pass is flat, easy and very pretty for the first couple of miles. After you begin to climb it's still a pretty hike but the switchbacks may command much of your attention, at least until you near the pass itself, where the views are tremendous. The last bit to dramatic Chicken Spring Lake is an easy finish.
Trail sequence: Cottonwood Pass trail / Pacific Crest Trail
Type: Point (trailhead) to point (campsite)
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation: Min. - 9849', Max. - 11240'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate-Difficult (factors: steep section, altitude)
Trail Notes: Most of the trail is very comfortable, though through the switchbacks there are some steep steps and rocky areas. The access trail to the east side of the lake can be muddy as it follows the lake's outflow, so be careful not to mis-step.
Chicken Spring Lake - via Cottonwood Pass
Turn by Turn:
-- Pick up the trail next to the signboard and interpretive displays at the west end of the parking area next to the restroom. Head due west on the Cottonwood Pass trail.
-- After a third of a mile or so there is a trail veering off to the left (southwest). This leads to Trail Pass and the PCT to the south. Stay straight (west) on Cottonwood Pass trail.
-- You travel through semi-open meadow/forest transition for some distance before slanting to the northwest and climbing into thicker forest with some creek crossings.
-- At just over 2 miles you begin a series of 40 or so switchbacks covering a bit more than a mile and gaining over a thousand feet of elevation, at the end of which you are rewarded with a spectacular view of Horseshoe Meadow and surrounding mountains from Cottonwood Pass.
-- At the top of the pass the trail meets the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn right (west) onto the PCT to head toward Chicken Spring Lake.
-- In a half mile or so the PCT skirts along the south side of the lake, where there are some good campsites. Before going that far, though, keep an eye out for a trail veering off to the right that takes you up along the outflow to sites on the lake's east side.
Campsite info:
| Restroom - none | Grill/Fire pit - none | ||
| Showers - none | Seating - rocks and logs | ||
| Water - lake (bring filter) | Shade - tree cover | ||
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Aesthetics/Privacy/Cleanliness: Lake and surroundings are beautiful, though as of this date (8/17/2014) the lake level was a bit low. High ridge means sundown is early. Sites are distributed around the east and south sides of the lake (at least the ones we saw) with plenty of room in between, and some are large enough for groups. No bear boxes, a can is required. Middle of August there were no mosquitos. This is a popular spot and there may be some company. We were not alone but never felt crowded or even any lack of privacy. Notes: Many people dayhike Cirque Peak from this location.
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Photo Gallery: Flickr
Video: Youtube