May consists of Goldens but is now managed as "fishless" by DFG.Cottonwood Creek: Spring Creek with pockets and pools. Cottonwood Pass This 7-mile round trip trail ascends 1,200 feet to an 11,200-foot pass and a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, with access to Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park. Method: Sight fishing with a 12ft 5x leader. hard (8) Length: 237.2 mi • Est. Dry Flies:Parachute Adams #12Elk Hair Caddis #14-16Stimulator #12 Madam X #10-12 Royal Wulff #12, Nymph Flies:Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-18Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #14-18Prince Nymph #14-18Bird's Nest #14-18Bird's Stonefly Nymph #8-10Copper John, Black #18-22, Streamer Flies:Muddler Minnow #8-10Woolly Bugger, Black or Olive #8-10. Between the mouth of Little Cottonwood Creek and South Fork of Cottonwood Creek, Catch & Release only. As a result of stocking in California, these fish are now found in more than 300 high mountain lakes and 1100 km of streams outside their native range (Fisk 1969). In fact, much of the South Fork of the Kern River is only accessible to the dedicated outdoorsmen who are willing to ride in by horseback. The Cottonwood Lakes are home to California's state fish, the Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita). Later, trout from Cottonwood Creek were transplanted into Cottonwood Lakes, creating broodstock for almost all subsequent propagation and distribution of California golden trout throughout California and beyond. Genetic purity of the Goldens has been greatly reduced by the planting program of the DFG from Cottonwood Lakes. 10 trout in possession. Fly-fishermen will be tempted to stay for a long time, but the opportunities for exploration are as abundant as the trout. Beyond the Golden Trout Camp the trail climbs gradually to the junction for New Army Pass. One of the more accessible destinations for catching golden trout is at Cottonwood Lakes... South Fork Kern River, California. The golden trout wilderness has the best signs! Sunscreen, a hat and rain gear are recommended. Theme images by. fishing from 1966 to 1998 while the lakes were used as breeding ponds for Golden Cottonwood Lakes Loop starts from Horseshoe Meadow and travels from the Golden Trout Wilderness into John Muir Wilderness. Even without a trail at all, hiking was easy through widely spaced … The Cottonwood Lakes trail heads northwest through pine forest, ascending a small rise on gentle grades. You pass the lake on the way to mirror lake. Consists of Golden Hybrids. This is a prime side option for Whitney & Southern High Sierra packing. The paved road is usually open May through October. 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. Later, some of the Goldens were transplanted from Cottonwood Creek to Cottonwood Lakes which the DFG used as a Golden Trout Brood Stocking program. 2020-2021 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations. Set Up: 8'0" Medium Action Cane 8ft 4wt rod made my me. You could use a dropper but why? Lower South Fork Lake: 5 acres at 11,640 feet. It's a walkup campground, $6 cash. trailhead (10,040'), it is a 4.5 mile hike to Cottonwood 1 at 11,008'. Resulting fingerling trout were planted mainly throughout the Sierra Nevada, but also in other mountainous areas of California and other western states. The Golden Trout are plentiful! golden trout camp p a c i f i c c r e s t n i c r a a t ’ l s c e i t l pct 6s02 118°07'30" 118°157'00" 118°07'30" 118°157'00" 36° 30' 00" 36° 22' 30" trail pass cottonwood pass cottonwood lakes john muir wilderness golden trout wilderness d horseshoe mdw rd closed in winter to mount whitney area The Cottonwood Lakes' golden trout attract many anglers. Pointing at Farewell Gap 6.5 miles away. Human use of streams, lakes, and surrounding watersheds for recreation has greatly increased with population expansion. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed and lakes 1-4 and in Cottonwood Creek. They are an all graphite version of the more pricy boron rods. Someone searched the above title and my blog popped up. Cottonwood 3: 25 acres at 11,045 feet. Along the way pass the boundary for the Golden Trout Wilderness. Cottonwood Lakes - Golden Trout Wilderness Cottonwood Lakes are perched in the high Sierra east of Lone Pine. 5 trout. Like Cottonwood Lakes, the portion of the Kern River where golden trout can be found is extremely tricky to get to. Langley were relatively nearby. Some believe that an accidental aerial drop of rainbows fingerlings may have been the culprit. Cottonwood Lakes served as a source of golden trout eggs for stocking other waters beginning in 1917 and are still used for aerial stocking of lakes in Fresno and Tulare counties (Stephens et al. The lakes had been off-limits to Consists of Volcano Creek Goldens (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita) and Season is July 1 – October 31st. The Cottonwood Lakes Trail provides access to the southern portion of the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia National Park. Big Whitney Meadow from Cottonwood Pass Swell Day on The … Native to two stream systems on the eastern side of the Kern River: Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River (Tulare County). Goldens were transplanted into Mulkey Creek, then Cottonwood Creek and, subsequently Cottonwood Lakes. Whitney from the west side and explore the Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks … While there are 5 lakes, in order to preserve the headwater source of the eastern slope Golden Trout, they only open in a rotation that changes every year. Mulkey consists of abot 8 miles of stream. Fishing. Cottonwood 6: 5 acres at 11,600 feet. Woods. Continue past the Golden Trout Camp. Multi-day. Trout by Calif Fish and Game. Cottonwood Lakes are under special regulations. Cottonwood Lakes / Horse Camps Cottonwood Pass – 11,200′ Cottonwood Lakes Campground, Golden Trout Campground & Horseshoe Meadows Campground… all next to Mount Whitney. Consists of Goldens, Brookies, and Browns.South Fork Kern River: About 11 miles from trailhead over Mulkey Pass. All other lakes in the Cottonwood Lakes Basin are restricted to artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks, limit 5. Consists of Golden Hybrids. The daily bag and possession limit is 5 fish. The usual start point for the hike to the Cottonwood Lakes is from the northernmost loop of the Cottonwood Lakes Campground, at road's end, though a quieter, rarely-used alternative is from a verge about one mile back, as the road makes a 90 degree bend where it crosses Cottonwood Creek; a faint path begins a little way east of the bridge, first passing through a gate and fence marking the edge of … Leave Horseshoe Meadow and hike 3.5 miles up the 1,200-foot climb to Cottonwood Pass. open at least one lake and 25 miles of stream each year. Who hiked that in. Designated a Wild Trout Stream by DFG. I haven't really addressed this question and I love talking about fly rods ... Great looking rod and reel. R.L. Shortly after sunrise, we reveled in this incredible view of quaking aspens from Conway Summit. Consists of Golden Hybrids. Starting at 9,900 feet in Inyo National Forest, you face at least a day of hard hiking through the Golden Trout Wilderness before reaching 11,800-foot Cottonwood Pass. About 10.25 miles from the trailhead over Cottonwood Pass.Funston Lake: This lake is close to Rocky Basin Lakes but is on the other side of the divide at Boreal Plateau. state since 1918. Old Army pass is on the left, just above the barely visible Lake 4. that pic with the golden trout on b&w is fantastic. The first fishable waters occur at the top of Ramshaw Meadows, close to the proximity of Golden Trout Creek. Golden Lakes Trout from Cottonwood Creator Burton Frasher Sr. 1888-1955 Date Created and/or Issued 1927 Publication Information Pomona Public Library Contributing Institution Pomona Public Library Collection Frasher Foto Postcard Collection Rights Information The Pomona Public Library makes no assertions as to ownership of any original copyrights to images digitized for this site. Here’s the lake. I consider it the furthest south "true" High Sierra lakes basin. Consists of Golden Hybrids. One of the best places to search for golden trout lies in the Eastern Sierra, outside of Lone Pine, Calif. (located halfway between Reno and L.A. on Highway 395) and known as a hub to a number of amazing High Sierra trout fisheries. John Muir Trail - Cottonwood Lakes Trail Head to Happy Isles [CLOSED] #15 - John Muir Trail - Cottonwood Lakes Trail Head to Happy Isles [CLOSED] Lone Pine, California. All lakes and tributaries within the Cottonwood Drainage require artificial lures or flies with barbless Once you get there it’s incredible – the meadows and lakes and surrounding forests and mountains are breathtaking! Golden Trout from Golden Trout Creek were introduced to the headwaters of Mulkey Creek in 1872 by Samuel Mulkey. The current trail may not match some older maps. Those same lakes are catch and release as are parts of Cottonwood Creek. Long Lake: 7 acres at 11,135 feet. 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 hikers to reach in the Eastern Sierra. Climbing over New Army Pass the trail continues into Sequoia National Park and eventually joins the Pacific Crest Trail. In 2016, I passed through the Cottonwood Lakes Basin on the exit of my SOSHR attempt with Art and Joe. The first 5 are within an easy walk of each Gateway to the Cottonwood Lakes and Golden Trout Wilderness. After a mile there is reliable water in the form of a creek. Perfect for equestrian travelers, backpackers & day hikers. Whitney State Fish Hatchery near the small Owens Valley town of Independence. However, during that 30 year period, Rainbow Trout made their way It is catch and release at Cottonwood Lakes 1, 2, 3, and 4. These two factors combined opened the lake system Other than humans, this golden-mantled ground squirrel was the only mammal we saw at 10,000 feet. This lake has been suggested to receive pure strains of Goldens.Hidden Lake: 6 acre lake at an elevation at 10,850. Whitney Pack Trains, offers riding and hiking trips originating at Cottonwood Pack Station. Reservations: Wilderness permits may be reserved up to 6 months in advance at recreation.gov: Rentals & Guides: Cottonwood Pack Station is located at Horseshoe Meadows. next to the Kern River at 7,500. Share. 5 . 4.0 miles from trailhead. Male and female trout are reared in captivity and stripped of eggs and milt. Tanuki rod is a fixed-line rod. Cottonwood 2: 5 acres at 11,030 feet. A "spawning station" was established at the Cottonwood Lakes in 1917 which became the source of Golden Trout eggs. Cottonwood Creek main stem between mouth of Little Cottonwood Creek and South Fork of Cottonwood Creek. We stopped and ate lunch at the edge of the basin then pushed on to get up to Cottonwood Lake #4. : July 1 through Nov. 15. Golden Trout from Golden Trout Creek were introduced to the headwaters of Mulkey Creek in 1872 by Samuel Mulkey. Cottonwood Lakes 4 & 5, which are Golden Trout breeding lakes, offer one of the more impressive vistas. 8 miles from trailhead. Check the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations for more information. If both fill you are permitted to camp / sleep in your car. Cottonwood Lakes are full of Golden Trouts. Ride to Cottonwood Lakes to fish, hike or photograph the area. No restrictions. The trail follows the creek through Mulkey Meadows, then you'll need to follow the creek down to the SF Kern. 4.3 miles from trailhead. I added a walnut handle to the Allen reel. My son’s a big guy, but it’s still true, most are small fish. The Cottonwood Lakes are home to California's state fish, the Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita). moderate (5) Golden Trout Wilderness. This year, Lakes 4 and 5 were open, and Lake 4 was getting all the action. Gateway to the Cottonwood Lakes and Golden Trout Wilderness. From the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead you can reach:Golden Trout Creek: Starts at the headwaters of Big Whitney Meadow and Rocky Basin Lakes. Cottonwood Lakes Golden Trout 5 There are two ways to reach Cottonwood Creek, either from the West, where one may start from Visalia, and follow the Kaweah River up to its South fork, and along this until one reaches the end of the road some forty miles from the railroad. 5 miles from Trailhead. 13 of these fish were transported to Cottonwood Creek in 1876. ! The area was formed in 1978 and encompasses 304,000 acres in the southern Sierra Nevada. #14 - Horseshoe Meadows, Pacific Crest Trail, High Sierra Trail, Golden Trout Loop [CLOSED] Lone Pine, California. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. Fortunately, pure sources of Volcano Creek Goldens have been identified within the upper reaches of Golden Trout Creek to allow a pure strain hatchery program to continue. Explore Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits in Inyo National Forest, California with Recreation.gov. Falls. Check the California Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations for more information. It is a very easy hike and cottonwood lake doesn't have great shore access but with a raft it is incredible. Cottonwood Lakes. Betweeen 1928 and 1938, the eggs were shipped to the National Fish Hatchery in Bozeman (but name is now the Fish Cultural Development Center). That trip didn’t go quite to plan; however, it did inspire me to make several other trips into places near that route since then. 6 miles from Trailhead. Narrative: This might be a really stupid thing to do I thought. 2004). 0 trout. Golden Trout Wilderness/Cottonwood lakes Golden Trout Wilderness/Cottonwood lakes. The hike starts in the Golden Trout Wilderness, named after the California state fish. Six months earlier my orthopedic surgeon told me that I would never backpack or run again. The Cottonwood Lakes are home to the beautiful Golden Trout, California's state fish. 4.5 miles from trailhead. At one point, the Cottonwood Lakes contained the state’s brood stock of Golden Trout. Inyo County, Southwestern portion, in all waters bounded by the Inyo County line on the south and west, Independence Creek on the north (open to fishing), and Highway 395 on the east: First Saturday in Mar. Cottonwood lakes and Golden trout. These trips allow guests the opportunity to climb Mt. Photo Credit: Photo by Steven T. Callan. Unfortunately, pure Genetic strains within Cottonwood Lakes has been lost due Some shipments were made to the United Kingdom and Brazil. The two species of golden trout that are native to the southern Sierra Nevada are arguably the most beautiful fish in the world. However it occurred, the planting of Golden Trout throughout many of the high elevation lakes during this period were from these contaminated sources, estimated to be 83-88% pure. Cottonwood Lakes Special Regulations. Photos. July 1 - July 3, 2017 Cottonwood Lakes Basin. The eggs and milt are stirred together under pressure, and the fertilization process takes place. Goldens that inhabited Cottonwood Lakes were a source for Golden stockings to other areas within the Special California Fish and Game restrictions apply when fishing in the Golden Trout Wilderness. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO . It's interesting to note that these two streams are within 1/4 mile of each other and flow in opposite directions to the Main Kern and South Fork Kern within Tunnel Meadow. Here the trail runs level for a while and then climbs out of the basin to the Cottonwood Lakes area. Cottonwood Creek between the confluence of Little Cottonwood Creek and the South Fork of Cottonwood Creek is also Catch & Release only. The two species of golden trout that are native to the southern Sierra Nevada are arguably the most beautiful fish in the world. Looking back at Mineral King The Little Kern Golden Trout ( O. mykiss whitei ) is the seco... All images and text are protected by copyright and property of the autor. with Golden Trout at Cottonwood Lake in Inyo County; photo by Thomas . Cottonwood Lakes - Golden Trout Wilderness Cottonwood Lakes are perched in the high Sierra east of Lone Pine. Rock Creek Pack Station, operating as Mt. Consists of Golden Hybrids. 4.5 miles from trailhead. No restrictions. Big Whitney Meadow from Cottonwood Pass Trails lead into the Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo National Forest portion from Hwy 395 via Horseshoe Mdw., Sage Flat, and Haiwee Pass. (Watch in 1080p) I took my oldest son Dillon up to Cottonwood Lakes for an overnight backpacking/fishing hike in the Sierras. Cottonwood Pass. 31. I captured this close-up view of quaking aspens from Virginia Lakes Road, west of Conway Summit. The nearest trailhead is Horseshoe Meadow in the Golden Trout Wilderness, which offers two routes to Lower Soldier Lake. on July 1st and ends November 15th. The Cottonwood Lakes trail passes through more open country with views of Mount Langley. Native to two stream systems on the eastern side of the Kern River: Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River (Tulare County). Open all year. No fish remain at Rocky Basin Lakes. Migolito. The trip begins on a mostly sandy trail leading you North into the Golden trout Wilderness. Records show that Cottonwood Creek was fishless until 1876 when Colonel Sherman Stevens brought 12 Golden Starting at 9,900 feet in Inyo National Forest, you face at least a day of hard hiking through the Golden Trout Wilderness before reaching 11,800-foot Cottonwood Pass. 10 trout in possession. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. https://californiathroughmylens.com/golden-trout-wilderness-cottonwood-lakes Image Ray Found. Cottonwood Lakes / New Army Pass Recreation Guide (pdf) At a Glance. the Sierras. Since these fish put Golden Trout Creek at risk in maintaining genetic purity, they have been removed by gill netting in 2001 to 2003. Cottonwood Lakes' golden trout attract many anglers. This way our next day goal of Old Army Pass and Mt. The creek has two to fishing in 1998. Others are more colorful, but not many. Cottonwood Lakes Trail. It’s a steady and flat descent through pine forest and across streams (logs and large rocks provide footpaths). 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