Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits, CA
Entry Location: Cottonwood Lakes - JM39
Notice:
ICE and SNOW ALERT-
Mountain elevations in this area traditionally have ice and snow until late June or early July.
Cottonwood Lakes are home to California's state fish, the golden trout. Located near Horseshoe Meadows, the Cottonwood Lakes Basin has many pristine lakes and creeks located between Mount Langley and Cirque Peak. Side trails branch to Muir Lake, Hidden Lake, South Fork Lakes, Cirque Lake, Long Lake and High Lake. Climbing over New Army Pass provides access to the southern portion of Sequoia National Park.
Know Before You Go:
DOWNLOAD AREA MAP FOR THIS TRAIL:Click Here.
Cottonwood Lakes Area:
- No campfires in the Cottonwood Lakes basin or above 10,400 ft.
- Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash.
- Check the area map for the correct trail name. Trips going toward Cottonwood Pass are a different reservation.
- Fishing season is open July 1 to November 15.
Lakes 1
- 4 and their tributaries are catch and release, barbless hooks; other lakes in the basin are bag limit of 5.
- This area is near Bighorn Sheep habitat. Use of pack goats is not advised in order to protect the health of the wild sheep.
- Not recommended for stock between lakes 1 and 2; or South Fork of Cottonwood Creek.
- John Muir Wilderness regulations apply.
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply if entering the National Park. (includes, Cross Country permit to hike to Mt Langley; no night box permit pickup)
- Deadline: Reservation will be canceled unless the permit pick up instructions are completed before the deadline. Instructions are in the confirmation letter.
- Only the group leader or alternate leader may pick up the permit; the person picking up the permit must be going on the wilderness trip.
- BE SURE YOUR DATES AND TRAIL ARE CORRECT - The entire group must start on the trail on the entry date listed. Reservations cannot be changed or transferred.
USFS Webpage for:
Cottonwood Lakes.
Exit Location: Mt. Whitney (Trailcrest Exit) - JM35
Notice:
ICE and SNOW ALERT-
Mountain elevations in this area traditionally have ice and snow until late June or early July.
Exiting via Trail Crest allows you the option to hike to the summit of Mt Whitney and camp along the Mt Whitney trail as you finish your trip. All Mt. Whitney visitors are expected to pack-out their solid human waste. Pack-out kits are distributed with wilderness permits.
Know Before You Go:
DOWNLOAD AREA MAP FOR THIS TRAIL:Click Here.
All Mt. Whitney visitors are expected to pack
out their solid human waste (poop and paper). Packout kits are distributed with wilderness permits.
- Special approval is required for commercial use. Stock is not allowed Trail Crest to Whitney Portal.
- No Campfires.
Be Bear Aware! There is a high level of bear activity in the Mt. Whitney area.
- At the trailhead, all food and scented items must be removed from vehicles and stored in the bear proof lockers located in parking areas.
- Put trash in bear proof trashcans at the trailhead.
- Use bear
- proof containers to store all food and refuse, there are no trees in this canyon suitable to hang food.
- Deadline: Reservation will be canceled unless the permit pick up instructions are completed before the deadline. Instructions are in the confirmation letter.
- Only the group leader or alternate leader may pick up the permit; the person picking up the permit must be going on the wilderness trip.
- BE SURE YOUR DATES AND TRAIL ARE CORRECT - The entire group must start on the trail on the entry date listed. Reservations cannot be changed or transferred
Safety Is Your Responsibility!
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