Cottonwood Lakes: 3 Nights
Just got back from an incredible trip to the lakes, and I’ve decided to put you on some game. This is a moderate hike, easier than 4th recess lake/ Pioneer basin lakes for those well traveled.
Camping spots:
Lake #1 has a great camping spot on the “off trail” that is essentially a trail because it’s used to go fishing, and since it cuts through, instead of taking the loop the cottonwood lakes trail takes you. It’s in the wooded area, great wind break and shade. Be aware good chance you’ll have people walk close by.
Lake #2 I explored, but did not invest too much time because there only seems to be one good area to fish. This lake also has more people which I try to stay away from.
Lake #3 This is the one. I spent all three nights here and after hiking to all the other lakes, it was my favorite. If you’re on the side that backs up to the mountain, I found three good spots for tents over there. One is a 1-2 person tent marked by a metal tent anchor. There’s another amazing spot that fit my Nemo Dagger 3p, but I won’t just tell you lazy bastards where it is, you need to find it. I’ll give you a clue. There is a little Christmas tree that is watched over by an ancient Foxtail pine. We had Lake #3 to ourselves.
It should be mentioned on Lake #3 on the trail towards #4 & #5, on the right side of trail as you’re heading up. There is a beautiful camp spot. You’ll see a small man made rock wall underneath this lone giant pine. Truly a beautiful spot just off the trail
Lake #4 no cover from what I could find, met some old timers that were camping out there and they just camped under the open sky
Lake #5 has a little bit more cover, than 4, but not by much
Fishing: caught 11 fish in two days @ lake #3, afternoon fishing 3pm-5/6pm. Out of the 11 only one was large enough to keep and cook.
Lures: Panther Martin’s #4 to cast far enough into deep water. Black/gold w Yellow and Yellow/silver with Red worked best. Followed by green with silver multicolor.
Fishing area: mountain side of Lake #3, look for Plymouth Rock.
Spuds Alpine Paella recipe:
-Trout
-Mountain house fried rice
-Hotel Tabasco packet
-Taco seasoning
- 1 Lemon
-2 Tablespoons Ghee (Ghee Ghee for my trappers)
Take your prepped trout and cover in taco seasoning. Fry in your ghee, once mostly cooked you can remove the meat from the bone, toss bones. Fry some more and reserve. In that same ghee take your reconstituted fried rice and fry in the ghee. Add your Tabasco and more taco seasoning. Add back your fried trout on top. Let cook another few minutes until your rice caramelizes on the bottom. No one will be having a better meal than you at 11,100 feet.
Photo #1 Lake 3 at sunset
Photo #2 The Clue
Photo #3 Milky Way from tent spot
Photo #4 Spuds Alpine Trout Paella
Photo #5 An angel swimming (get in the lake people)
Photo #6 Plymouth Rock. Caught majority here and the keeper
Photo #7 Locked and Loaded. PSA keep your dogs on leash on the trail. Your dog may be well trained and friendly but one of mine is reactive. She should be able to enjoy the outdoors and I take good precaution for her and everyone around. Please be considerate of others, thank you
Edit: Something important to note! If you want space, quiet and privacy do this trip during the week. I hiked out Saturday and I saw 8 groups come in that day. When I got to the parking lot, the main lot was full and cars were parking in the dirt.
Safe Travels,
🥔