Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Cottonwood Pass - Stream Comparison 2015 vs 2017

Took a ramble up Cottonwood Pass yesterday, over to the PCT via on of my favorite ridges, and out via Trail Pass. While not the torrents we've seen in bigger creeks, it was sure good to see good water flow in the streams. There were lots of snow patches here and there at the 11K level, with one 20 foot stretch on the east side of the Pass, just as you top out. A few blooms at the 10K level, I expect them to start showing in the next couple of weeks.

Here's a comparison of the first water crossing between 2015 and 2017.



Rest of the photos are here:
https://ranboze.smugmug.com/Sierra-Adventures/Smatko-x3-11622-June-24-2017

Nice loop! Thanks for the pictures.

ooops... wrong forum! Yikes. I will copy to the hiking forum; I guess I should wear my glasses!

A friend of mine and I are going to plan a short four-day backpack in August. I was wondering if there is any campsites near either the first or second stream crossing? With the amount of water, it looks like that would not be an issue. Thanks. Big Whitney Mike

There is a wide, flat, sandy area just upstream from that first crossing. But that crossing is only about 25 minutes from the trailhead.

Thanks for the campsite info. Even though it is only a short distance from the trailhead, we still may camp there our first night. We also may check out the second stream crossing to see what might be available.

The second crossing is only about a minute past the first one. But I wasn't accounting for your heavier packs when I cited 25 minutes for your ETA at the first crossing. (I just do day hikes with a very light pack.) Anyway, when you reach the first crossing if you just turn right and head uphill a short distance I think you'll find a pleasant spot.

Again, thank you for the useful information. I have passed it onto my hiking buddy. I think that is where we will camp our first night. Plus, it will take us a bit longer, as we will be starting that first afternoon from the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead, where we will be leaving our car. The plan, of course depending on snow conditions, is to do our usual mini-loop and on the third day go over New Army Pass. I will be checking in early August to get the latest snow conditions form NAP.