Cottonwood Lakes, Inyo National Forest, Sept 17th-18th
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 11:20 am
We were able to get out for a quick overnight trip and chose a scenic 12 mile out and back trip to Cottonwood Lakes. The trailhead resides at an elevation of approximately 10,000ft and climbs gently an additional 1,100ft through beautiful meadows with granite peaks towering above them, culminating in a series of picturesque lakes.
We stayed at the edge of Cottonwood Lake #3 where we had great views of not only the lake itself but the meadow slightly to the northeast.
The weather was sunny and the sky a vibrant blue without a single cloud. As the sun went down, the stars were more abundant than I can recall previously seeing and so bright they illuminated the surrounding area. The temperature at night dipped to freezing as upon waking the edges of the lake were iced over and my friends tent hand condensation that froze on the inside of his canopy/rainfly.
Here are a few pictures of our quick trip:
Picture #1: Meadow prior to Cottonwood Lake #3
Picture #2: Meadow NE of Cottonwood Lake #3
Picture #3&4: Cottonwood Lake #3
Picture #5: Hexamid Solo Tarp at Night (beak left open)





Cheers
We stayed at the edge of Cottonwood Lake #3 where we had great views of not only the lake itself but the meadow slightly to the northeast.
The weather was sunny and the sky a vibrant blue without a single cloud. As the sun went down, the stars were more abundant than I can recall previously seeing and so bright they illuminated the surrounding area. The temperature at night dipped to freezing as upon waking the edges of the lake were iced over and my friends tent hand condensation that froze on the inside of his canopy/rainfly.
Here are a few pictures of our quick trip:
Picture #1: Meadow prior to Cottonwood Lake #3
Picture #2: Meadow NE of Cottonwood Lake #3
Picture #3&4: Cottonwood Lake #3
Picture #5: Hexamid Solo Tarp at Night (beak left open)





Cheers