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| | Golden Trout Wilderness, CA | | | |
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Golden Trout Wilderness, CA
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| Backpack | 32.09 Miles |
4,136 AEG |
| | Backpack | 32.09 Miles | 5 Days | | |
| 4,136 ft AEG | | | | |
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| Partners |
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| partners | | We headed up to the Sierra for some cooler weather and relaxing hiking. The original plan was Rae Lakes Loop but that plan was scrapped because of high water, deep snow, and washed out bridge from rapid snow melt in the higher elevations of the Sierra. So we decided on the Golden Trout Wilderness as an alternative that is in the Southern Sierra and borders John Muir Wilderness.
Day 1 we started from Horseshoe Meadow trail head and hiked south to Trail Peak pass which is also where we crossed the Pacific Coast Trial. From there we continued on for another 8 miles to Ramshaw Meadows and first camp. Plenty of water at Ramshaw Meadows and flat spots for camp.
Day 2 we continued across Ramshaw Meadows and headed for Tunnel Station which is a cabin site along the South Fork Kern River. Camped about ¼ mile from the cabin. Nice spot with easy access to South Fork Kern river which also had plenty of water. We contemplated different hikes and eventually everyone did something in the afternoon. Separate triplogs for those hikes in South Fork Kern River, Golden Trout Creek and Tunnel Meadow.
Day 3 we moved camp up to Big Whitney Meadow which was only about 5.5 mile hike up Golden Trout Creek. Big Whitney Meadow is large area surrounded by high ridges making for very scenic location so we camped 2 days at this spot. The area also has several creeks converging in the meadow that eventually make up Golden Trout Creek and provided abundant water which was easily available all trip. Actually I don’t think we had to hike more than 1 or 2 miles without seeing a good water source.
Day 4 we camped a second night in Big Whitney Meadow and did a day hike of Rocky Lakes Basin which is a separate triplog and the highlight of the trip.
Day 5 all we had to do was hike back to the trail head to complete the loop. Little over 8 miles total out and over Cottonwood Pass. Cottonwood was about 4 miles from Big Whitney Meadow and 1300 AEG topping out at 11,150. Spectacular views and good trail especially the switchbacks as we continued down into Horseshoe Meadow and the trail head.
Great trip in the Sierra…thanks to John for planning and getting this one together even though plan A didn’t work out. The back up worked great and would like to do follow up trip to explore some of the areas we didn’t’ have time to visit. |
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