Great hike today. Intermittent patches of sandy soil which may seem to be a slog on the way up Cottonwood Pass. 5/23/2020 Couldn’t complete soldier lake to long lake, too much snow going down from the ridge to long lake. Oh well. Just beyond the streams the trail begins climbing, initially on an easy grade that becomes steeper as the path climbs a series of moderately steep switchbacks to Cottonwood Pass, gaining over 1,170-ft. in 2.3 miles. Last day was an easy, mostly downhill trek back to the Cottonwood Pass Trail camp. rectangular quadrants that are printed at 22.75"x29" or Lone Pine / Bishop, Region Information: Turn off your ad blocker to see a map of this trail, Junction 01: Trail Pass/Cottonwood Pass/Pack Station. Anyone who is interested in visiting Cottonwood Pass can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. The trail to the lake is popular with day hikers, fishermen and backpackers. Day 2: set out early for new army pass(solid elevation gain for 3 miles) to reach the peak of ~12350 ft. The broad, sandy trail to Cottonwood Pass heads east, traveling on easy grades through scattered pine trees, skirting the north side of Horseshoe Meadow. Thoroughly enjoyable; a lovely walk in some high elevation woods. Also, do not go up the pass if there is a storm present. Arrived at car ~25 total miles. But there is established camping at Long Lake (not posted on maps). Travel along the road for 3 miles and turn left (south) on Horseshoe Meadow Road. Perfect blue Sierra summer skies. It has 2 main sites, at the Cottonwood Pass Trail #3505, and also at Cottonwood Lakes Trail, they are not far, if one site fills, try the other. All the lakes are spectacular. OK. the Cirque Peak, CA US Topo Map quadrant. Whitney and other destinations in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. Because the nearest station and this geographic feature may have may be different as well. Not a very level site. First time doing this loop with my boyfriend (7/21-7/24) and we thought it was great! Then turn south onto Horseshoe Meadow Road. After a mile of hiking the trees thicken, restricting the views of the surrounding area. Luckily I made it into the pass’s shadow so had a reprieve for my eyes for a bit. Sheer granite cliffs rise above the northern and eastern shores. Would definitely go again, have fun! Bear box available .2 miles from solider lake, however, bear canisters are still required. Cottonwood Pass / New Army Pass Loop [CLOSED] is a 37.8 kilometer moderately trafficked loop trail located near Lone Pine, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. In the distance are the peaks and ridges lining the southern end of the Great Western Divide. These maps are seperated into rectangular quadrants that are Basecamp(s) Information: larger. At 4.3 miles reach a junction with the spur trail to Chicken Spring Lake. Had to turn around. The southern side of the lake is clad in rocky meadows scattered with scrub willows and gnarled foxtail pines. Whitney and other destinations in Sequoia National Park. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest After soaking in the views to the east cross to the west side of the pass and take a short detour south for about 0.1 miles for far reaching views of the southern end of the Great Western Divide. From Lone Pine: From US Highway 395 in Lone Pine, CA, turn west on Whitney Portal Road. higher than 98% of other locations on record. Trailmaster Peak rises above the pass to the north. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until September. The trail now skirts the north side of a meadow and then climbs a rocky hillside scattered with gnarled foxtail pines. Park Boundary 01: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Trail Junction: Siberian Pass/Rock Cr Trail/Cottonwood Pass/Lwr Rock Cr Xing Lwr Crabtree Mdw, New Army Pass/Siberian Pass/Rock Creek Tr, Trail to food storage box and Soldier Lake, Campsite at Soldier Lake (on the peninsula), Unmarked and blocked-off trail goes towards NE, New Army Pass/South Fork Lakes/Cottonwood Lakes, Equestrian Parking/Pack Station/Hiker Parking, Cottonwood Lakes/Cottonwood Pass/Trail Pass, Chicken Spring Lake via Cottonwood Pass Trail [CLOSED], Horseshoe Meadow to the Kern River [CLOSED], Horseshoe Meadows to Mount Whitney and Whitney Portal Trailhead via New Army Pass, Mount Langley Loop via Cottonwood Pass [CLOSED], Mount Whitney via Cottonwood Lakes Walk-in Campground, Horseshoe Meadow Trailhead to Onion Valley Trailhead [CLOSED], Trail Pass to Trail Peak via Pacific Crest Trail, Horseshoe Meadows, Pacific Crest Trail, High Sierra Trail, Golden Trout Loop [CLOSED], Cirque Peak Via Cottonwood Lakes and New Army Pass Trails, Cottonwood Lake and Long Lake via Cottonwood Lakes and New Army Pass Trail, Cottonwood Lake #3, #4, #5 via Cottonwood Lakes and Army Pass Trail, John Muir Trail - Cottonwood Lakes Trail Head to Happy Isles [CLOSED], John Muir Trail: Horseshoe Meadow to Happy Isles [CLOSED], Horseshoe Meadow Loop via Trail Pass Trail [CLOSED], Horseshoe Meadow to Haiwee Creek [CLOSED], Trail Pass to Cotton Wood Lakes Loop [CLOSED], Cottonwood Pass / New Army Pass Loop [CLOSED]. Cottonwood Pass is displayed on the Tent Hills USGS quad topo map. Continue straight ahead on the trail to Cottonwood Pass. Tips: Despite what the description says, part of the trail is NOT dog friendly. That's saying something. Other than the gusty wind it’s a great trip. This has to be the easiest pass to cross; it offers a great view of Horseshoe Meadow. The trail to the lake is popular with day hikers, fishermen and backpackers. This location's average summer high temps are Then over new army pass the second day and into rock creek. To the west are nice views of the Great Western Divide. From the pass views extend east to the peaks and ridges surrounding Horseshoe Meadow and, in … We camped at rock creek but we should have headed to soldier lake. The trail is clear and easy to follow. Being that it’s September, the snow was completely gone but the water was still plentiful. I did the loop clockwise as well. higher than 71% of other locations on record. Photos provided by Flickr are under the copyright of their owners. Scenic Chicken Spring Lake is nestled in a small cirque. Openings along the way provide nice views of Horseshoe Meadow. © HikingWalking.com. Distance from Trailhead: 7.4 miles (round trip). The fires did spoil our views in some parts. The campground is 24 miles southwest of the town of Lone Pine. The Cottonwood Pass trailhead is located at the west end of the parking area. Some marmots about but our food was only hassled by chipmunks. The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) publishes a set of the most commonly used Very rewarding views from the top. Water can be found at a spring on the western ‘bump’ of the jog north around said lake/meadow.