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| Produced by Back Country Enthusiasts for Back Country Enthusiasts
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Cottonwood Pass
From Hwy. 395 in Lone Pine,
turn west on Whitney Portal road. Continue another 20 miles
to trailhead parking signed for Cottonwood Pass, about 1 mile past
the sign for Cottonwood Lakes.
The Cottonwood Pass trail provides access
to the Pacific Crest Trail and the northern portion of the Golden Trout
Wilderness and the Kern Plateau, and is a popular route to access
the summit of Mt. Whitney from the west side. This area is characterized
by rolling terrain and subalpine meadows.
Begin walking along the north side of Horseshoe
Meadow on a sandy, flat trail. Cross the creek at 1 ½
miles. Ascend toward the pass on a series of steep, steady
switchbacks. Reach the pass at 4 miles, Chicken Spring
Lake is 1 mile further on the west side of the pass, good campsites
can be found here.
From the trail above Chicken Spring Lake,
look down on Big Whitney Meadow to the south, and the Inyo Mountain
Range to the east. Continue on to reach the boundary of Sequoia /
Kings National Park and the Golden Trout Wilderness, and a junction
to Siberian Pass shortly after. From this junction you can stay with
the Pacific Crest Trail to Rock Creek (about 6 miles) or take the
cutoff trail heading north that meets up with the trail coming over from
New Army Pass, and reaching Rock Creek about 6 ½ miles later.
This second option will bring you to water sooner.
For the description of the trip to Mt.
Whitney from this point, refer to the description of the Cottonwood
Lakes Trail.
Special Fishing Regulations apply to this
area. Check with the Mt.Whitney Ranger Station for current regulations
Golden Trout & Sierra South Wilderness
* This map does not cover first 1 mile
of trail.
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