Near Cottonwood Lakes Trail
The look up at Cirque Peak from the Cottonwood Lakes Trail can be utterly stunning.
Near Cottonwood Lakes Trail
There's great camping at Cottonwood Lake Number Five beneath Mount Langley.

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Cottonwood Lakes Trail

4.3 (23 Ratings)
Hike to scenic alpine lakes from one of the highest trailheads in the Sierra Nevada.
12.3
mi
Distance
1,556
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
LakeViewsWildflowers

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Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
12.33mi
Distance
1,556ft
Elevation Gain
1,556ft
Elevation Loss
35%
Max Grade
11,211ft
High Point
10,013ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
Head north through pine forests along Cottonwood Creek. Pass the junction with the New Army Pass Trail at 3.5 miles. The trail turns west and at around 4.5 miles you enter an open meadow with excellent views of the Sierra Crest ahead. Continue on and pass Cottonwood Lake Three on your left and then end at Cottonwood Lakes Four and Five.

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Nearby Hike Routes

Find more hikes near: Lone Pine, California • Cartago, California • Olancha, California
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Cirque Lake Loop

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Contributors
Miguel Vieira