SA Report: High all weekend
Trip Date: 8/18/2014
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: InyoNF Map, 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: This return hike from Chicken Spring Lake to the Cottonwood Pass trailhead takes the long way round on the Pacific Crest Trail. The scenery along the PCT heading south takes in the Kern Plateau and the Great Western Divide and is spectacular. The hike ends with a walk through a sandy moonscape section of Horseshoe Meadow.
Trail sequence: Pacific Crest Trail / Trail Pass trail / Cottonwood Pass trail
Type: Point (campsite) to point (trailhead)
Distance: 7.7 miles
Elevation: Min. - 9843', Max. - 11260'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate-Difficult (factors: distance, altitude)
Trail Notes: Most of this hike is flat and very scenic. Even the switchback section descending from Trail Pass is mostly smooth sailing. Sometimes trails can get lost in the sand so pay close attention when the path fades.
Horseshoe Meadow (via Trail Pass)
Turn by Turn:
-- After breaking camp and picking up the Pacific Crest Trail heading east you travel about a half mile back to Cottowood Pass. Here there is a junction with a trail heading off to the right to Big Whitney Meadow, Cottonwood Pass trail heading off to the left, and the PCT turning south. Be sure you read the signs and know which is which.
-- As you head south the trail ambles up and down gently and the vistas open up to the west. About 2 miles or so of generally working your way south the trail circles to the east and aims for Trail Peak.
-- You pass to the north of Trail Peak and climb to the southeast before finally dropping down a couple of long switchbacks to the Trail Pass junction. The trail back to Horseshoe Meadows leads off past the large log to the left (north). Turn left onto this trail.
-- A little over half a mile of descending switchbacks eventually levels out and heads north through the trees for a mile before opening onto the sandy moonscape of Horseshoe Meadow.
-- After traversing the sandy mound the trail comes upon a stream crossing, past which the path turns to the right (east) and heads back to meet the Cottonwood Pass trail. Be sure to turn right here to return to the trailhead and your car.
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. 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 and 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