This 21.3-mile clockwise loop through classic Sierra alpine will leave you feeling like a kid in a backcountry sweet shop, even though it just barely enters the stately interior of Sequoia National Park. Includes details of wilderness areas, latest sierra wilderness news, resources for planning your trip, and notes from professionals in the field. RESERVABLE QUOTA - The methods of obtaining reservations for quota space differ between east and west side entry points, and is described below. The Lakes Trail is super popular. 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. Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley, Happy Isles pass-through, Glacier Point to Little Yosemite Valley, and Sunrise Lakes trailheads: Permits for 20 people, all of which are available by reservation. Bear boxes available. Lottery? And a gain in elevation 1,480 ft. Please note that if you go south on the JMT from one of these trailheads, you will likely need to exit at Horseshoe Meadow via either Cottonwood Pass trail or Cottonwood Lakes trail (because it is very difficult to get a permit for exiting Mt. Mt. As for Sequoia National Forest, I don't think there's any time of the year where you need to worry about trail permits; most trailheads don't even require them. Cottonwood Lakes Basin including Cirque and South Fork Lakes. To do the route Clockwise: Select Cottonwood Pass Trailhead as your entry point and Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead as your exit point. The popularity of the JMT has […] Over the last several years, Yosemite National Park has noted a significant increase in demand for permits to hike the John Muir Trail (JMT). Whitney. Located in the southern tip of the John Muir Wilderness the trail head shares an inroad with the Mount Whitney Portal in the Alabama Hills of Lone Pine. Mount Whitney via Cottonwood Lakes Walk-in Campground is a 29.5 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Also be sure to reserve hotel … Wilderness Trail Names and Quotas for Inyo National Forest ... Cottonwood Lakes J39 60 36 24 15 Cottonwood Pass G60 40 24 16 Deer Lakes A17 10 6 4 Duck Lake J1 30 18 12 15 Fern Lake-Devils Postpile A13 10 6 4 ... South Sierra Wilderness Permits are required year round for overnight trips. After picking up the wilderness permit from the ranger station the day before, day one of hiking begins. Permits: Free wilderness permits and campfire permits are required for overnight trips into the Golden Trout Wilderness Area only. Whitney). If you are flexible on the start date for your trip, you can submit one online application for a wide range of dates.This is only for John Muir Trail Hikers (exiting Yosemite over Donohue Pass). Geography. They can be reserved six months in advance. Mt. They are less than half a mile apart and connected by trails, allowing you to hike a complete loop. As the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, Mt Whitney is a popular destination. They are available from the Kernville office or from Black Rock Station. Permits can be reserved at www.recreation.gov. Wilderness permits are required year-round for all overnight trips in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' wilderness. Backpacking up to Lakes 4-5 — Exactly 11.5 mi. Along the way pass the boundary for the Golden Trout Wilderness. The John Muir Trail is a life long dream for many hikers. If you are going in August, look back on your calendar 24 weeks and make a note to fax in your application. Kearsage Pass (Onion Valley Road) and Cottonwood Pass (Horseshoe Meadow Road) are both popular trailheads for hiking to Mt. Tenga en cuenta que Mount Whitney está cerrado debido a un incendio. Cheers, Lowe N. Durrance Confused about 'walk up' wilderness permits for Inyo I wanted to do an overnight at Cottonwood Lakes and the website says all permits are thru recreation.gov. Rocky Basin Lakes. Lyell Canyon trailhead: Permits for 25 people, with 60% (15) available by reservation and 40% (10) available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sequoia National Park above 11,200'. The half dozen Cottonwood Lakes are clustered in a basin at the foot of 14,032-foot Mount Langley. People may have suggestions if you give us an idea of your experience and fitness, desired start date, trip duration. Show up before the permit station opens, especially on Labor Day weekend. Permits. Discharging of firearms in the wilderness is permitted only for taking of wildlife as … Some of these permits are free, while others come with small fees. No trailers. Looking at recreation.gov it appears that the earliest available permits for either Cottonwood Pass or Cottonwood Lakes is Sept 8th. Cottonwood lakes trail head is at 9,660ft. The wilderness area is located northeast of Covelo, 45 miles (72 km) west of Red Bluff and Interstate 5, and east of Garberville and U.S. Route 101.It is within sections of eastern Mendocino County, western Tehama County, and Trinity County.. Outside the quota season (September 20, 2020 – May 28, 2021), Wilderness permits are free, self-issued, and are not limited to daily entry quotas.Self-issue wilderness permits are available at the nearest permit-issuing station.There is no fee for self-issue permits. Same deal with anything else in the park, and also in Inyo National Park. The trails are lonely and the trout are always biting in this Inyo National Forest hideaway. Season is July 1 – November 15. For the Golden Trout Wilderness permits are required year-round for all overnight visits. The Cottonwood Lakes trail heads northwest through pine forest, ascending a small rise on gentle grades. round trip—6.5 mi. ... California's Cottonwood Lakes. The Cottonwood Lakes are a series of 5 lakes clustered in the shadow of Mount Langley and Cirque Peak. Fishing at Cottonwood Lakes 1, 2, 3, and 4 must be catch and release only. The Cottonwood Pass trail in the Golden Trout Wilderness and the above mentioned trails in the Kaiser Wilderness will remain the last Friday in June through September 15. There is a group of 4 that hopes to summit whitney this next week. Distance. Langley Summit via Old Army Pass — Old Army pass is slightly shorter than New Army Pass (possibly up to 2 mi.).. Langley Summit via New Army Pass — Roughly 26.5 mi. back if you follow the loop clockwise. MT WHITNEY PERMITS. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Reply. Jason, I would get a "Plan B" permit for another hike at a less popular trailhead, just in case you aren't able to get the Cottonwood Lakes entry later. For permit information go to the John Muir Wilderness section, and then look for Cottonwood Lakes trailhead by Clicking Here. Elevation. Big Pine Lakes (Big Pine Area) Cottonwood Lakes (Lone Pine Area) Duck Pass to Red’s Meadow via Iva Bell Hot Springs (Mammoth Area) Thousand Island Lakes (Mammoth Area) Quota Enforced: For most wilderness areas, quota season is May 1 - Nov. 1 (see add. in elevation. 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. California Trails. We are going to be at the ranger station before 11 on Saturday and hopefully get wilderness permits to enter through the Cottonwood lakes trail on Sunday and get a trail crest exit permit for Thursday (5 … You will still need to acquire permits for these trails, but they are not part of the lottery system, and you can apply for permits starting 6 months in advance of your trip. ... Cottonwood Pass is in the Golden Trout Wilderness (quota starts last Friday in June) and Cottonwood Lakes is John Muir Wilderness (quota starts May 1). Maximum one-night stay. As such, getting permits for the John Muir Trail is very difficult as they are highly competitive and sought after. To apply for a permit, go to Recreation.gov, Inyo National Forest – Wilderness Permits. Wilderness Permits are available from the Sierra and Inyo National Forests, depending on where you plan to enter the Wilderness. Both trails are roughly the same distance and will take you to Crabtree via the Pacific Crest Trail. Permits. out, 5 mi. With incredible views and challenging terrain, hiking this 213 mile trail can be a life changing experience. I've read in other posts that walk-up permits are fairly easy to get for either trailhead, and I know that "walk-ups" will be reservable 14 … 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 … round-trip. Backcountry (or wilderness) permits, like those issued for backpacking in national parks or quota areas like the Enchantments, along the Wonderland Trail or Mount St. Helens Backcountry to help regulate foot traffic in fragile environments. Permits are available at recreation.gov (select Inyo National Forest Wilderness permits). All other lakes in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin are restricted to artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks, limit 5. Any area within 1/4 mile (400 yds.) Your source for Sierra wilderness information. The Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead marks the start of a great adventure into beautiful meadows, lakes, and alpine terrain. However, that website says that all permits are 'walk up' only (not reserve-able). Start planning now! Skip: Rae Lakes Loop, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, California Hike: Cottonwood Lakes Loop, Golden Trout Wilderness, California. Fishing must be catch and release only at Cottonwood Lakes 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the John Muir Wilderness. James Smith January 27, 2017. Long lake which is at the base of New Army pass is at 11,140 ft. in elevation and 6 miles from the trailhead. of Chicken Spring Lake. 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. notes below). No - first-come-first-served. Ansel Adams, John Muir, Dinky Lakes Wilderness These areas now have quota systems in place. Two established campgrounds at trail heads -- Cottonwood Pass Backpacker Camp and Cottonwood Lakes Backpacker Camp, walk-in, first come, first serve. If you are venturing out to Sample Meadow, Deer Creek, Billy Creek, and Potter Pass in the Kaiser Wilderness as well as Cottonwood Pass in the Golden Trout Wilderness check ahead of time with the local area rangers about their quotas and permit process. 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