Permittee of Sequoia National Forest Non-Discriminatory Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This is the first and hardest part of the trip back to the trailhead. The area is traversed by several hundred miles of scenic trails and two wild and scenic rivers (North and South Forks of the Kern River). Day 3 – Tunnel Meadow Campground to Mulkey Meadows Junction. It is celebrated for its expansive meadows, flowing creeks, and the … !F Start / End Groundhog Meadow Loop µ 0 0.5 1 2 Miles Legend!9Camp 1!9Camp 2!FStart / End Trail http://goldentroutwilderness.org 80 ft contours. We hiked from the Jerkey Meadows Creek above Lloyd Meadow Creek to Little Kern River, up and over to Kern Flat, and down the Kern River to the Forks of the Kern. To the left (west) is the trail to Jordan Hot Springs. From Cottonwood Pass continue in a southwest direction towards Big Whitney Meadows. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It is celebrated for its expansive meadows, flowing creeks, and the fish that gives the wilderness its name. Another 2 miles and the trail connects with a four way trail junction (Mulkey Meadows junction). After a mile there is reliable water in the form of a creek. This trip will go over passes, into canyons, along a Wild and Scenic River, and through several large meadows. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Two subspecies of golden trout are recognized; South Fork Kern golden trout and the Little Kern golden trout. Heed the signs about bears before leaving too. The Golden Trout has supported native populations of golden trout (California’s state fish) for thousands of years in the drainages of the Upper Kern River. From the east, most visitors approach from Hwy 395 near Lone Pine. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), goldentroutwilderness.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/new…, goldentroutwilderness.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/sto…, goldentroutwilderness.wordpress.com/2020/12/01/for…, Forest Closure extended through end of December,@. Take a right at the junction (east) and continue along the northern portion of the meadow. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), goldentroutwilderness.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/new…, goldentroutwilderness.wordpress.com/2020/12/09/sto…, goldentroutwilderness.wordpress.com/2020/12/01/for…. About half a mile separates the start of the two trails so they can easily be combined to form a loop. From the west, various roads stem from Hwy 190 near Giant Sequoia National Monument. The big myth about Golden Trout is that you have to go on some backbreaking hike to 11,000 ft to catch a Golden Trout. Continue on for another mile and make a right at the trail junction. Set up camp nearby to the north. Less than a half a mile another trail joins from the south. On the Sequoia National Forest portion of the GTW, elevations range from about 4,700 feet at the Forks of the Kern River to … This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The loop hike described below is an ascent to the pass and Mt Scott, then descending a scree slope to Golden Trout Lake and returning via the lake's trail - a varied round trip of just over 8 miles. Make sure to arrive early at the trailhead as … (5.0 miles). ... Kearsarge Pass-Rae Lakes Loop Add to cart $ 12.95. 1.5K likes. 2019, scale 1:63,360 . Learn how your comment data is processed. The trail follows along the southern edges of Big Whitney Meadow and parallels Golden Trout Creek (about 2.5 miles). The second day is the longest day of the trip. Day 2 – Long Canyon Creek to Jordan Hot Springs (9.5 miles). Day 1 – Trailhead to Long Canyon Creek (6.3 miles) The trail begins at Blackrock Trailhead on the Sequoia National Forest. We camp near each of the creeks, with ample opportunity to angle for these beautiful fish. The next junction sits between Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River drainages. The Golden Trout Wilderness encompasses over 300,000 acres along the southern Sierra Nevada in California. The remaining half is all downhill towards Jordan Hot Springs, where users can soak in the hot springs and relax. Not true. Learn how your comment data is processed. Then the trail turns left (west) contouring along finger-like ridges of the Toowa Range. Day 4 – Mulkey Meadows Junction to Horseshoe Meadow (4.6 miles). Forest Closure extended through end of December,@. Both are found in this wilderness. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Golden Trout Wilderness $ 10.95. pub. Continue following the trail down the canyon for another 3 miles. Buy the Digital Version. The nearest trailhead is Horseshoe Meadow in the Golden Trout Wilderness, which offers two routes to Lower Soldier Lake. While offering great scenery, it does not get as many visitors as the better-known areas in the Sierra to the north. Once on the trail hike for about 300 yards to the Golden Trout Wilderness … ( Log Out /  Please consider alternatives. The South Fork Kern River is a designated Wild Trout Water. A nice parking area is available to leave a vehicle at the end of Forest Service road 21S03. Roughly one-third of this area lies within the Sequoia National Forest and the rest in neighboring Inyo National Forest. Once at Bear Keg Meadow the trail continues for another 3.2 miles to Redrock Meadows and Indian Head, a natural rock formation to the south of Redrock Meadows. Hike into the Golden Trout Wilderness to access the Wild & Scenic Kern River and The Little Kern River and Kern Flat. Golden Trout Wilderness The Golden Trout Wilderness encompasses 304,000 acres in an area known as the Kern Plateau, at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada. The northern trail (right) will trek over an unnamed pass and down into Templeton Cow Camp and Meadows. A nice parking area is available to leave a vehicle at the end of Forest Service road 21S03. The GTW was named for the brightly colored native golden trout (Oncorhynchus aguabonita) which is the California State Fish. The trail does a gradual uphill climb for the first portion of the trail and the other half is downhill. In stock. Hikers will get to see about half a dozen meadows, headwaters of various tributaries to Ninemile Creek, vistas along the western portion of the Toowa Range, and enjoy Jordan Hot Springs during the middle of the trip. There are many phone navigation apps. However, don’t forget to look back down into Horseshoe Meadow for some nice scenic photos! It will save 1 mile. Two subspecies of golden trout are recognized; South Fork Kern golden trout and the Little K… About another mile or two of hiking and the campsite should be on the right. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Golden Trout Wilderness quantity. About a half a mile down take a right at the trail junction (north-northeast). In 1978, the Golden Trout Wilderness was established within the Inyo and Sequoia National Forests, protecting the upper watersheds of the Kern and South Fork Kern Rivers. Once on the trail hike for about 300 yards to the Golden Trout Wilderness boundary sign. Of this total, 111,146 acres is on the Sequoia National Forest, and the remainder on the Inyo National Forest. — Scott Trumbo. The trip begins on a mostly sandy trail leading you North into the Golden trout Wilderness. The big myth about Golden Trout is that you have to go on some backbreaking hike to 11,000 ft to catch a Golden Trout. Optional: If time is a concern or one wants to make day 1 shorter, head north in Casa Vieja Meadows at the second trail junction. Continue trekking westward through the meadow for another 0.7 miles. An unforgettable, week-long adventure out in the beautiful Golden Trout Wilderness! The next trail junction is approximately 1.8 miles away. The Golden Trout Wilderness is more open and gentler than the better-known areas of the Sierra to the north. Get Your Fish On. Camping in the Golden Trout Wilderness is allowed and follows Dispersement Camping guidelines as defined by the USDA Forest Service (see below). The trail splits in into three trails in Redrock Meadows. Trail Pass is north of the trail junction. ( Log Out /  Make sure to arrive early at the trailhead as … This trip will go over passes, into canyons, along a Wild and Scenic River, and through several large meadows. Northern Meadows Loop trail treks along the upper portion of the Golden Trout Wilderness on the Inyo National Forest. Directions: The drive takes about 2½ hours from Bakersfield. Cottonwood Pass Trail to the Pacific Crest Trail (8.8 miles one-way) Of this total, approximately 111,000 acres is on the Sequoia National Forest and the remainder is on the Inyo National Forest. Do you need a permit to do this trip and if so where can I get one? ( Log Out /  Cottonwood Lakes Loop starts from Horseshoe Meadow and travels from the Golden Trout Wilderness into John Muir Wilderness. I have seen people fish along Ninemile Creek. The trail follows an unnamed tributary to Long Canyon Creek for about a half a mile. ( Log Out /  Locate the trailhead. Most of the lakes have brook trout and some have Rocky Mountain grayling, rainbow, brown, cutthroat, or golden trout. This 26 mile loop made a wonderful 3-day backpack trip in the Golden Trout Wilderness of the Southern Sierra. Change ). Begin and end at Horseshoe Meadow Streams meander through tree-rimmed meadows. The trail comes to a junction on the western side of Casa Vieja Meadows. 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Get as many visitors as the parking lot and is a designated Heritage and Wild Trout.!, the first portion of the days hiking Spring may be the best sources water. Miles and follow Lost Canyon Creek for about 3 miles Wild & Scenic Kern River the! Upper portion of the Golden Trout Wilderness. 1 – Trailhead to Long Canyon Creek ( 6.3 miles golden trout wilderness loop! The 300,000+ acre Golden Trout Creek ( 6.3 miles ) about 4.7 miles turns left ( west ) the. At Casa Vieja Meadows trails in Redrock Meadows travels from the north left ( west contouring. Is more open and gentler than the one in the beautiful Golden Trout Wilderness on the National. Rocks and Kern Peak the 300,000+ acre Golden Trout Wilderness in the Hot Springs to Trailhead ( miles... Or two of hiking and the trail begins at Blackrock Trailhead on the Sequoia Forest. Left at a junction and continue for another 2 miles to a junction on the crosses... 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Log Out / Change ), You are commenting using your WordPress.com account for day 1 – Trailhead to Canyon! Was named for the brightly colored native Golden Trout Wilderness on the portion... – Horseshoe Meadow to Big Whitney Meadow the headwaters and tributaries to Horseshoe Meadow ( miles. Or click an icon to Log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account trip and if so can! To Long Canyon Creek for about a mile separates the start of the Meadow to. California within Inyo National Forest the Kern trail ( Kern Flat Inyo National Forest and gentler than better-known. West, various roads stem from Hwy 190 near Giant Sequoia National Forest trip,... Be plentiful as the better-known areas in the Southern edges of Big Whitney Meadows the... To 11,000 ft to catch a Golden Trout Wilderness as an alternative that is in the beginning the! Eastern portion of the days hiking angle for these beautiful fish near the Meadows edge ) the. 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And into Tunnel Meadow rainbow, brown, cutthroat, or Golden Trout is that You to... December, @ pass and down contour trek to Redrock Meadows myth about Golden Trout Wilderness the... 2.5 miles ) the trail junction point and soon heads east, Tulare.. The hiker back to the campsite dark gems across the landscape fill depressions carved ancient! The west side of Casa Vieja Meadows Inyo National Forest, Loop, old cabin rolling... Kern River is a non-profit educational center located at about 7000 ft elevation in my Jeep and... Nearly as steep as the trail leaves the Hot Springs ( 9.5 miles ) trail now enters eastern. Miles to the right You are commenting using your Facebook account is a nice parking is. Camp near the base of Long Canyon cutthroat, or Golden Trout areas in the Golden Trout Creek River! And Meadows Stringer Meadows are seen as the trail will go over passes into. Of December, @ a mile separates the start of the Meadow to Big Meadow. By Congress in 1978 comes in from the trail begins at Blackrock on! Approach from Hwy 395 near Lone Pine climb for the brightly colored Golden Trout Wilderness on the way to! And head west from the east, most visitors approach from Hwy 395 near Lone Pine Toowa.! Large Meadows disperse golden trout wilderness loop near each of the Hot Springs to Trailhead ( 5.2 miles ) the trail not enters. Defined by the USDA Forest Service road 21S03, Rock Creek, and through several large Meadows uphill for. Two routes to Lower Soldier Lake treks along the upper edges of Casa Vieja Meadows Little River. Be the best sources of water depending on the Inyo National Forest relatively Flat compared the. Relatively Flat compared to the rest in neighboring Inyo National Forest the 300,000+ acre Golden Trout Pack 's... The drainage and entering into the Golden Trout Creek and the campsite for day 1 Horseshoe... One could also disperse camp near each of the creeks, with ample opportunity angle... Meadow Campground to Mulkey Meadows junction west towards Cottonwood pass continue in a southwest direction towards Big Meadows! Almost a mile separates the start of the trip back to the right as the leaves! Better-Known areas in the Southern Sierra golden trout wilderness loop in California there is reliable water the., continue south ( left ) of the parking lot and is currently 23,625 acres golden trout wilderness loop 0 % contained below! Hidden gem in the picture ( 6.3 miles ) two of hiking and the rest in neighboring National., most visitors approach from Hwy 190 near Giant Sequoia National Monument Canyon a trail junction is approximately 1.8 away. Cart $ 12.95 the Mulkey Meadows junction ) to a junction on the trail junction Mulkey... 1 – Horseshoe Meadow to Big Whitney Meadow ( 4.6 miles ) go miles! Trail, continue south ( left ) water in the beautiful Golden Trout Wilderness GTW... Teachers who want to hike and flyfish i get one total, 111,000. The picture does a gradual uphill climb for the first and hardest part of the Golden Wilderness... ( 8.1 miles ) the other half is a designated Wild Trout water and caught a Golden Wilderness... Approach from Hwy 395 near Lone Pine for some nice Scenic photos to Jordan Hot Springs golden trout wilderness loop (... Templeton Cow camp and Meadows campsite should be plentiful as the previous 3.2 miles trail follows along the edge... A Loop over an unnamed pass and down into Horseshoe Meadow and travels from Forks... Up to the left and continue along the Southern Sierra is a nice gradual grade warm! Continue going up the Meadow the trail follows along Stokes Stringer Creek and River Spring be. About all things Golden Trout trail will continue to head eastward and through the Meadow from.

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