Has anyone does this trail this year. Suggested Tackle and Gear. An older but still useful reference that is no longer in print. Golden Trout Lake Loop, Independence: Address, Golden Trout Lake Loop Review: 4/5 Bring all needed supplies including water. Starting from Onion Valley, Golden Trout Lakes Trail ends at Golden Trout Lakes, in the John Muir Wilderness. Golden Lake consists of Golden Trout. A fit hiker can probably make it to either destination in an hour or so. Bishop, CA 93514. You’d probably like it, even though it’s really hard, steep, sometimes not so clear. The hike in and out feom below is miserable and hazardous, from the upper trail, it might be better. EXTREMELY HARD! Beautiful area with very few other people. Inyo National Forest Trailheads Trails lead into the Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo National Forest portion from Hwy 395 … The meadows is the next section which we tried to stay of the vegetation. Extending from the western foothills all the way to the eastern high desert, the Golden Trout Wilderness can be reached from both sides of the Sierra Nevada range. I am close to 60, in good shape and an experienced hiker and hated this. Foot-long Golden Trout can be spotted flashing their vibrant red scales in the creek. On the Golden Trout Lake Trail, there is a creek to follow, and a big waterfall along the way. Golden Trout Lake Loop is a 5.1 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Independence, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. All food, trash and scented items must be stored in. This is a moderate one way trail in Inyo National Forest. Vault toilet at trailhead. As I unzipped our tent door and felt the crisp, thin air of our 9,300-foot-high campsite rush into my lungs, … Permits may be reserved up to 6 months in advance. A friend and I did this home last week and were separated. For my wife Aimee and I, it’s always been a vehicle; a vehicle to adventure and explore places we’d never dreamed possible. Should be rated extremely hard! Laws, John Muir, The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada. Rough roads to the Golden Trout Lakes It was difficult driving up the road to get to the beginning of the trail, so I recommend a vehicle that can handle the rough road; preferably a truck or AWD. While the view at the top was pretty, the other trail nextdoor is much more defined with wayyyyyyy prettier views and water to play in. Yes the lakes are beautiful but again very hard trail that needs physical fitness and good prep. Cottonwood Lakes Loop starts from Horseshoe Meadow and travels from the Golden Trout Wilderness into John Muir Wilderness. Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California. Trail travels northerly to Casa Vieja Meadows then you can travel northwest to Jordan Hot Springs or northeast to Templeton and Tunnel Meadows. Further on there are a few patches of snow, amazing peaks, and long views to the east toward the Owens Valley, which was full of smoke from a fire near Mammoth. Steep uphill the whole way to the lakes but trail was much better than expected and in places where it disappeared it was clear which way to go. From the west, various roads stem from Hwy 190 near Giant Sequoia National Monument. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and fishing and is best used from April until September. Overall very rocky trail. These fish are a prized catch for their golden skin and appearance and the fact that they are found only in such a small area. Then there is a trail but it is thin and meandering. Hiking is permitted throughout the area. Historically, there has been a high level of bear activity in the Onion Valley area. This trail goes by Onion Valley Trailhead and Lilley Pass. It is about 400 feet higher than Honeymoon at a 10,850 foot elevation. Horseback riding is permitted on designated trails. Then there is the one section of bouldering that is sketchy at best, and outright treacherous if you have a heavy pack and a large dog like we did. California’s state fish, the California golden trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita) is native to only two creeks draining the Kern Plateau but has been distributed throughout many of … Don’t be fooled by the short distance, this is a serious trail. Primrose Lake Hike up the rocky slope alongside the drainage coming down from Primrose Lake. Barely marked, steep, climbing boulders or loose gravel most of the hike, Hiked for 2 hours and barely made it to 1.3 miles then turned around. Amazing surreal lakes. Fishing can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Wilderness Press. Hard. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. For more information about traveling in bear bear country, click here... Inyo National Forest Wilderness Food Storage Requirements, Forest Service Home | USDA.gov | recreation.gov | Recreation Customer Service Standards | USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov, Plug-Ins | FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Important Notices | Information Quality, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=20778&actid=51, Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center, Wilderness permits may be reserved up to 6 months in advance at. By Chase Bartee | May 15, 2019. At the trailhead, all food, trash and scented items must be removed from vehicles and placed in the bear proof lockers and trash cans that are located in parking areas. Golden Trout Creek is thought to have once formed the headwaters of the South Fork Kern River but, due to volcanic activity thousands of years ago, it was diverted west near Tunnel Meadow and now flows … Perfect for distancing. the lake FULL of stunted Brook trout, the Golden Trout may have all died out due to someone planting these brookies into the lake, probably an air drop by a lost fish and game dept. Starting at the trailhead (10,040'), it is a 4.5 mile hike to Cottonwood 1 at 11,008'. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This trail is barely defined and straight up incline with precarious terrain. South Fork Kern River. Maybe for someone younger and/or more adventurous this would be more fun. Angler’s Take (catchable, super catchable and trophy) - fish are planted with intent ... California Department of Fish and Wildlife Provisional Fish Releases - 2019/2020 ... Reg. 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