|
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 82
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 82 |
Taking my wife to Cottonwood Lakes out of Horshoe Meadows in August. She is an experienced backpacker, but not a strong hiker. 5 miles hiking does not seem to bad, comments please??
Also I have been to Horshoe Meadows once, remembered it as quite windy, what is it like to car camp there?
Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you!!!
O
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 19
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 19 |
I did the hike to Cottonwood Lakes as my very first backpacking trip last August. I love it! It was easier than I thought so your wife won't have any problem especially since she is experienced. Check out Cottonwood Lakes on Youtube.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5 |
The 5 miles are an easy hike; my 12-year-old daughter did it last year without breaking a sweat (can't say the same for Dad). Muir lake is on a spur of the trail and is a very nice overnight location. Most of the trail is not that spectacular, but the lakes are nice when you get there.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,446
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,446 |
From a "hike difficulty" standpoint, the distance and elevation gain are not bad, but you start your hike at 10k, and that is a BIG factor. I've taken beginning groups up on this hike, and had most people dance up the trail, but some be miserable and ill. If your wife is not a strong hiker, it is CRITICAL that you spend a day and a nite, or even two, camped up there.
A dayhike that will give you an idea is to hike to Trail Pass. Nice hike, nice trail. Beginner groups I've taken up there are able to do it in 1-1/2 hours, after sleeping at the trailhead. If it takes her more than two hours, you are looking at an ordeal for her.
I've found the camping nice, although you are not "car camping" in the traditional sense, as you have to carry your stuff to the campsite...they are walk-in. I don't remember a lot of wind in the many times I've camped there, I think you were lucky?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 232
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 232 |
Agree that Trail Pass is a good training route, but doing it north to south is almost too easy. I found that the descent on the south side to Bullfrog Meadow also takes a bit less than 1 1/2 hours - but the climb back up to Trail Pass is steeper and more of a workout.
If you are looking for steady, moderate endurance training, the seemingly endless switchbacks to Cottonwood Pass will take over two hours.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 167
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 167 |
It depends on her fitness level. Last August, I solo hiked it in about two hours. I ran into three guys who started before me and they were tuckered out about a third of the way. I think all the running and the local hikes I did to train for the Langley/MR trip helped tremendously. The altitude really didn't bother me at all at until I was halfway up Army Pass.
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." - Proverbs 25:2
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 112
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 112 |
Was a favorite hike for family on Father's Day (kids <10) for years until they have their own family...and tradition soon (kids <3).
It is trail of choice for visitors who have little time, but want a taste of the Sierra. We leave SoCal 4am-ish, breakfast in Mojave, at trail head somewhere between 8/9AM. Lunch (sometimes late) at Muir Lake and time to explore, if there is steam left, up to Lake 4/5 for a peek at (old) Army Pass.
Leave by 3PM or so cutting between lake 1/2 over to South Lake then down South Lake drainage to pick up the trail to the car.
Just keep a little energy at end of day as the trail is surprisingly up hill on the way out last mile or so.
Down to car by 6ish and then home before midnight stopping for pizza somewhere -- or beans and corn bread in Olantha.
Take plenty of UV protection, lip balm as well, hat and skeeter avoidance chemicals.
There is first come first serve walk in camp ($5/day??) near trail head. There is (breezy) car camping at Tuttle Creek at bottom of hill close to road to portal. Or wimp camping at motels.
If you are doing it as a day hike I wouldn't spend the night up there. You probably won't sleep well and you might not get the kind of grease and carbo breakfast you would get at Mt Whitney Cafe.
If overnight up there, Muir Lake is a better place to camp. If you take the right fork in the trail -- about 1/4 mile up from bridge over creek, the lake is marked after you crest the top of moraine and see some heart stomping scenery. Unless the trail has has been upgraded it is mostly a cross country scramble up to the lake - in an obvious place. That afternoon or next day, you can follow a use trace that hugs the trees up pass Lake 3 on your left and up cross country for a bit to the upper lakes. A visit (cutting between lakes 1/2) the next day to Long Lake and New Army Pass is a good use of time and for the adventurous, given an early start, up Mt Langley. Just take lots of water. No water past High Lake.
Another, not so high camp, is out of Independence to Onion Valley trail head over Kearsarge Pass to K Lakes. If day hiking you can have lunch at the lakes.
Similar hike from Bishop, to South Lake trail head to lakes below or on other side of Bishop Pass. You get an early lunch at Long Lake if back packing. Easy to make it in time to Dusy basin for early supper.
Abide by the cautions about bears that you will undoubtedly get from the place where you pick up your wilderness pass (ordered by now I hope).
At altitude, take it very slow. You will still get there.
Last edited by Steve Peacock; 06/09/08 10:37 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
