Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits, CA
Entry Location: Cottonwood Pass - PCT - GT60
Notice:
Cottonwood Pass trail permits are available from Inyo National Forest visitor centers. Reservations are not needed for trips that begin before June 28, 2013. For additional information call 760-873-2483.
ICE and SNOW ALERT-
Mountain elevations in this area traditionally have ice and snow until late June or early July.
Starting from Horseshoe Meadows, Cottonwood Pass is the gateway to the northern part of Golden Trout Wilderness and provides access to the Pacific Crest Trail. Small streams meander through tree-rimmed meadows in this wilderness area named for California's state fish, the Golden Trout. Options for loop trips of various lengths branch out from Big Whitney Meadow. Following the Pacific Crest Trail north into Sequoia National Park leads to Crabtree Meadows and the headwaters of the Kern River.
Know Before You Go:
DOWNLOAD AREA MAP FOR THIS TRAIL:Click Here.
Cottonwood Pass Area:
- No campfires at Rocky Basin Lakes or Chicken Spring Lake.
- Bear containers are required for storage of food and trash. Look at USFS Webpage for food storage restriction area maps.
- Check the area map for the correct trail name. Trips going toward Cottonwood Lakes are a different reservation.
- Golden Trout 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.
Golden Trout Wilderness Regulations Apply
USFS Webpage for:
Cottonwood Pass.
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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