Golden Trout & Cottonwood Lakes - South Seirra Hike - Intermediate/Advanced

One spot left to join myself and two other ABCer's in the South Sierra. Message me if you're interested. We’ll spend 3.5 days exploring some of the most beautiful and lesser-traveled country in the Southern Sierra. Our route will take us through the drainages of the Kern and Golden Trout Creeks, across Siberian Pass and Army Pass, and into the Cottonwood Lakes Basin with its deep-blue alpine lakes.
This will be a true third season trip: expect crisp days and cold nights, with daytime highs in the low 60s and overnight lows dipping into the 20s. Elevation will be a constant factor. We’ll start at 10,000 ft, camp as low as 9,000 ft on night one, cross Army Pass at 12,000 ft, and finish with a camp above 11,000 ft.

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### Distance & Difficulty

• 30–32 miles total over 3.5 days
• Steady climbs, high passes, and extended time above 10,000 ft make this a strenuous trip suited for experienced backpackers who are already comfortable at altitude

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### What to Expect

• Stunning granite peaks, alpine meadows, and the iconic blue Cottonwood Lakes
• A mix of forest, meadow, and alpine terrain with crisp fall air and starry nights
• Possible frost, or even a dusting of early snow — so come prepared
• Reliable water at camp, with one possible exception: on night 2, we’ll collect water in Big Whitney Meadow and carry it a mile or two to our campsite to set up a more doable day 3.

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### Gear Requirements

• Sleep system suitable for sub-freezing temps (rated 15–20°F or better)
• Bear canister or bear bag (required in this region)
• Layers for both warm days and freezing nights

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### Logistics

• Saturday 9/27: Leave Phoenix in the morning, car camp at Cottonwood Lakes Campground (10,000 ft). Looking for one driver to ride with me; the other two hikers will drive separately and continue north after the trip.
• Sunday 9/28: South on Trail Pass Trail, over Trail Pass (10,500 ft), and down into the South Fork Kern drainage to Tunnel Meadow (9,000 ft). ~8–9 miles.
• Monday 9/29: North on Siberian Pass Trail, following Golden Trout Creek through Big Whitney Meadow. Camp at an unnamed meadow at 10,000 ft just below the climb to Siberian Pass. ~8–9 miles.
• Tuesday 9/30: Over Siberian Pass (11,000 ft), then east toward Army Pass (12,000 ft) or New Army Pass (12,200 ft) — we’ll choose as a group. Drop into Cottonwood Lakes Basin and camp at one of the lower lakes (~11,000 ft). ~9–10 miles (about 3 miles within Sequoia NP).
• Wednesday 10/1: Hike 5–6 miles back to the trailhead, return to Phoenix by ~10 pm.
• Wilderness permits secured.

I'm not a professional guide but have spent hundreds of nights out on backpacking trips. I plan trips that I get excited about and look forward to time on trail with other backpackers. When you attend my trips you must realize that you are responsible for yourself and bad things can happen. I intend on using good judgement when leading but will not be with you at all times. In an event that something bad happens, I will attempt to get help and/or give help as soon as its safely possible. I hike with a Zoleo and will ask everyone in the group who have satellite device to share that contact information with the group. I expect the same in return, we all watch out for each another.