All cooking gear and stoves are provided, but participants must bring their own utensils and personal water treatment. The Golden Trout Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada, in Tulare County and Inyo County, California.It is located 40 miles (64 km) east of Porterville, California within Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Forest.. Previous backpacking experience is ideal, but exceptional baseline fitness is essential for this outing. 9,028 feet of variation between top and bottom and 264.9 miles of backcountry backpacking is what you get at Pacific Crest Trail - section 11, a delightful backpacking and hiking trail close at hand. Conservation The Golden trout has fallen victim to the careless stocking of non-native fish and … Whitney in the Inyo and Sequoia National Forests. Personal gear should be limited to less than 20-25 pounds so that total pack weight is less than 45 pounds, including 2 liters of water. Hence, our adventure accordingly has variable conditions that are difficult to predict. Our loop takes us deep into the Wilderness, to visit one of the most spectacular high alpine lake basins in the Southern Sierra: Rocky Basin Lakes. If snow travel is likely, boots must be at least ankle high and waterproof. Day 1: The trip officially starts at 7 a.m. with breakfast, the first provided meal. Loading ... the Golden Trout (as seen at 1:10). Lone Pine, CA 93545 (619) 876-6200 . Jan 17, 2015 - Starting from Onion Valley, the Golden Trout Lakes trail ends in a high alpine basin which contains the "Golden Trout Lakes". We have a group commissary, with everyone taking turns preparing food. First protected in 1978, it is a land of diversity – from rolling forests and meadows up to high rugged granite summits. In addition, good balance and sure-footedness is required to safely navigate stream crossings and possibly snow. Cattle grazing at the edges of wilderness areas poses a direct threat to water quality and fish habitat. The Sierra Club’s history is steeped in efforts to preserve endangered habitat and wilderness. We encourage participants to arrive a day or two early to begin acclimatizing. Box 8. The Golden Trout Wilderness covers 303,287 acres with two thirds in the Inyo National Forest and one third in the Sequoia National Forest. Although Mammoth-Yosemite Airport is the closest, in summer there are only a few flights each day and car rental there is usually more expensive than at major airports. Nearby: Lodging Camping Dining. Inyo National Forest 351 Pacu Lane Suite 200 Bishop, CA 93514. The distance to the lakes is approximately 2.2 miles, and the elevation gain is approximately 2,200 feet. Warmer than other lakes in the area, it provides fine swimming. Wash your spirit clean.” - John Muir. Highlights are Volcano Meadow (with a real volcano!) By signing up, you are opting in to receive periodic communications from the Sierra Club. The trip difficulty is rated 4 on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 is the least difficult and 5 is the most difficult. If there is significant snow at the pass, the day could be exhausting for those marginally fit and poorly acclimatized. After crossing the pass, we will travel to Tunnel Meadow and make camp at around 9,000 feet. Day 7: Leaving only footprints and taking only memories, we will depart our lakeside camp and traverse Big Whitney Meadow. We will discuss current thinking regarding best practices for forest management to minimize the risk to the wilderness. Vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas. Afterward, group gear will be distributed and we will be on our way to Trail Pass. Laurel Lakes CA 4×4 trail, off roading Mammoth Lakes and the Inyo Mountains, and golden trout This little gem of an off road trail is no secret, carvings in poplar trees downstream from Laurel Lakes for instance, in what is known as Laurel Creek, are dated from the 1930’s. * There may be slight differences between itineraries for various dates. However, the maps must be downloaded prior to the trip because cell reception is non-existent in the area we will travel. Our final day will be long; however, we will be fully acclimatized, and our packs will be light so 10 miles and 1,700 feet of climbing over Cottonwood Pass will be a breeze. Indeed, the Club was instrumental in passing the Wilderness Act of 1964 that established the National Wilderness Preservation System and which afforded the High Sierra the highest level of protection possible. This remote pristine area is not to be missed! Historical Weather. Before applying for the trip, people with food allergies and/or strong food preferences must contact the leader to see if accommodations are possible. Golden Trout Lake is in the Lakes category for Inyo County in the state of California. At the beginning of the trip, participants will be issued one bear canister loaded with food, plus a portion of the group gear, which together may weigh up to 16 pounds. Trekking poles with snow baskets and traction devices might be required. Contact the leader for details. Check back soon. This will be a great time for us to get acquainted and relax over a meal before beginning our adventure. Rural development in the foothills and in the forests is encroaching on traditional habitat boundaries, increasing pressures on animals and threatening downstream water quality. If unsure of your ability, please discuss trip suitability with the leader prior to signing up. Regulations & Recommendations. 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