Eastern Sierras - Backpacking Cottonwood Lakes Basin

6/22/24: Went backpacking with my outdoor adventure partner in crime, Tom. We drove to Lone Pine and met at a motel Friday night, got everything packed up and ready to go, and headed out in the morning to the Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead. I forgot my hiking shoes (!!!!) somehow, so I stopped at a local outdoor store to see if they had anything I could buy. After finding out they only sell Solomon, which are simply too narrow for my feet, I went out back to their PCT Hiker Donation Box. I was luckly enough to pick up a pair of Hoka Speedgoat GTX boots (women's size EU 42) and they were absolutely perfect, albeit on their last leg. We both set out for an extremely easy weekend and only hiked about 15-16 miles total. 11.5 miles the first day and 4ish the second on our way back to the car. However, as always, this was a magical wilderness and just a joy to hike.

[@Smashycrashy]

Thanks for turning the video around so quick, going up Langley in the next week so it is nice to see conditions (yes, I know about the bit of snow at the top pf NAP)

[@kentrails]

Thanks for watching, hope you enjoy going up Langley. That was our tentative plan, but then we just ended up electing for a nice and easy day.

[@eldersine]

good stuff

[@kentrails]

Thanks!

[@cheryl_the_horsechick]

Same area I forgot my hiker poles. It happens LOL

[@kentrails]

@@cheryl_the_horsechick I feel like I forget SOMETHING every time… but when it was my damned shoes… I’m dumb

[@2DaysYouth]

The shoe mistake is kinda funny. But whatever way to overcome it.

[@kentrails]

Ha yeah definitely funny now. I got super lucky with the way it worked out.

[@upandclosetothewall5064]

Great video. Where did you guys camp? And were there lots of spots to camp where you guys slept?

[@kentrails]

Thank you!
We camped off New Army Pass trail, right near the junction with Cottonwood Lakes Trail. There were tons of places to camp all over the trail really. No issues there at all

[@upandclosetothewall5064]

@kentrails right on thank you.

[@Smashycrashy]

@@upandclosetothewall5064 i’m sure you are well aware about the mosquito situation, but we are at/near peak mosquito for Eastern Sierras so plan accordingly (head nets, deet, etc)

[@upandclosetothewall5064]

@Smashycrashy I did not know about that. Could you inform me please. Which lakes are you talking about. Thanks for the heads up.