Near Golden Trout Creek Loop
Mulkey Meadow from intersection of Trail Pass trail #3504 and Mulkey Pass trail #3528 (9-24-2009)
Near Golden Trout Creek Loop
Looking southeast into the far distance from Cottonwood Pass. The forested hills and meadows of Golden Trout Wilderness are seen below.
Near Golden Trout Creek Loop
Horseshoe Meadow from Cottonwood Pass.
Near Golden Trout Creek Loop
Olancha Peak from Trail Pass (9-24-2009)
Near Golden Trout Creek Loop
Crossing Horseshoe Meadow on Trail Pass Trail.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Golden Trout Creek Loop

4.0 (2 Ratings)
A multi-day loop trail passing through Cottonwood Pass and Big Whitney Meadow and returning via Trail Pass.
24.7
mi
Distance
3,177
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Commonly BackpackedFishingRiver/CreekViews

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
24.72mi
Distance
3,177ft
Elevation Gain
3,177ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
11,140ft
High Point
8,918ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
From the Cottonwood Pass trailhead head west from Horseshoe Meadow and up to Cottonwood Pass via the Cottonwood Pass Trail #3505. From Cottonwood Pass continue west down into Big Whitney Meadow. At the western end of Big Whitney Meadow the trail intersects the Siberian Pass trail. Head south along this trail. Near the southern end of Big Whitney Meadow a number of campsites along Golden Trout Creek are available and the creek is large enough for fishing (the beautiful, but small, Golden Trout are in this creek). Continue south along the Siberian Pass trail until it intersects the Trail Pass trail #3504 at Tunnel Meadow. Follow Trail Pass trail #3504 east along Tunnel Meadow (lots of nice campsites and water is available from the South Fork Kern River). Continue east from Tunnel Meadow through Bullfrog Meadow and then Mulkey Meadow. Near the end of Mulkey Meadow, Trail Pass trail #3504 intersects the Mulkey Pass trail #3528. You can either continue along the Trail Pass trail #3504 (shorter but steeper) or take the Mulkey Pass trail #3528 (longer but gentler climb). Both trails end at the Cottonwood Pass trailhead. Note: Once you leave Tunnel Meadow there is no more water until you return to the Cottonwood Pass trailhead.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
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Contributors
Chris S