Cottonwood Pass Trail

Cottonwood Pass Trail is a high-country out-and-back from Horseshoe Meadow to a broad Sierra pass. It’s a good pick if you want a real climb and a pass destination without committing to an overnight trip. The mapped line is about 3.8 miles each way, or 7.6 miles round trip; some published estimates round it to 7 miles, so plan for the longer figure. Allow about four hours. You start around 10,000 feet and gain roughly 1,200 feet to the 11,200-foot pass. Pass-specific visitor reports praise the views, though the altitude makes this more work than the gradual opening suggests.

The trail leaves the east end of Horseshoe Meadow over packed sand beside the meadow. An early junction separates Trail Pass from the Cottonwood Pass route, so check the destination before choosing a branch; the Trail Pass loop is a different hike. The first couple of miles are fairly level through meadow and light forest, which makes the pass feel closer than it is.

Past the meadow, the route climbs on long switchbacks and the views open across the surrounding ridges. Route descriptions mark two small creek crossings in this stretch, but at least one recent hiker reported no crossing, so the water may not be dependable or may vary with conditions. Treat any natural water. The trail’s high starting point matters: even a steady grade can feel strenuous when you’re already near 10,000 feet.

At Cottonwood Pass, the trail meets the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn around here for the pass-only hike in this listing. The Cottonwood route continues west into Golden Trout Wilderness, while the PCT leads toward southeastern Sequoia; Chicken Spring Lake is a separate extension beyond the pass. Don’t count those onward miles as part of this route. The wilderness takes its name from California’s state fish, the golden trout.

Day hikes from Horseshoe Meadow do not need a wilderness permit; overnight trips do. Horseshoe Meadows Road is usually open from around Memorial Day into early November, depending on snow, so check access before the drive. Dogs are allowed on leash on the Inyo National Forest side, but not on Sequoia National Park trails beyond the boundary. Keep the pass hike within the Inyo side if you’re bringing a dog.