Golden Trout Wilderness - Eastern Sierra Nevada

[Alan H]

The Luminous Joan and I took a trip to the Golden Trout Wilderness in the Eastern Sierra Nevada a few weeks ago. She's about 3 1/2 months out from a hip replacement, so before taking off into the wilderness on our usual backpacking trip, we thought we'd dip a toe into the proverbial waters, first. Golden Trout Camp is about 2.7 miles in from the Cottonwood Creek trailhead, which is at 10,000 feet. To get there, you drive up, up, UP out of the little town of Lone Pine in the Owens Valley of California. You hike in with clothes and a sleeping bag. Once there, you stay in canvas wall tents, sleep on a cot but have all your meals in the cookhouse. You share the work, helping out in the kitchen and doing dishes during the week. Hikes are guided by naturalists familiar with the area, and I learned a LOT of minerology and geology during the week.

On to the pictures!

This little footbridge over the creek leads you into camp, after your 2.7 mile hike up the trail.

[Alan H]

The view up the meadow, from the bridge...



Your tents for the week...



Cookhouse...built in 1916, I believe...

[Alan H]

Then you start hiking. We averaged about 7 miles a day, just day hiking with small packs on. Every single trail starts at camp...10,200 feet and goes up from there! whoooiiieee!

The Luminous Joan at Windy Gap....which was in fact, windy!



Yours Truly at the edge of the dropoff at Windy Gap, looking out into the Owens Valley.



Here's the view from the Gap, without me in the way to spoil it!




View up the Eastern Sierra, from behind Owens Gap. We're looking north towards Mammoth Lakes.

[Alan H]

Fun pics....

Wood...this tree was still alive, actually.



Clarks Nutcracker



Marmot!!! The scourge of the sierra!

[Alan H]

Muir Lake...the goal for the third days hiking. This is at about 11,300 feet.



West end of South Fork Lake...the goal for the fourth days hike...



Some dork in a camo kilt at South Fork Lake

[English Bloke]

Blimey Alan. That's some impressive country. Diamond.

[Alan H]

And finally a few shots from around Owens Point...

At the point, again, looking north up the Owens Valley




Just a random trees and rocks shot.



Same general view, from behind Owens Point.

[Alan H]

And last but not least...this IS a kilt forum.

You hike in a kilt for a week, it needs a hosing down and drying out on the burro hitching rail.




A Highland Athlete can't go a whole week without practicing, right?



Hope y'all enjoy!!!

[California Highlander]

Looks like a great trip. Fantastic scenery! I was in the Golden Trout many years ago on a week-long backpacking/flyfishing trip and still remember how beautiful it was. Thanks for posting these great photos.

[LitTrog]

Yours Truly at the edge of the dropoff at Windy Gap, looking out into the Owens Valley.



Here's the view from the Gap, without me in the way to spoil it!

Can't help noticing how your presence changes the name of the feature from "the Gap" to "the Windy Gap." Considering the occasional loquacity of your posts, that's not too shocking.


Such a short time after hip replacement...is your wife just tough as nails, or is that kind of recovery standard?! Holy Jeez.

Great pics of a beatiful area, Alan. Very nice.