Chicken Spring Lake via Pacific Crest Trail(edit)

Overview

This is a moderate one way trail in Sequoia National Park.

This trail goes by Cottonwood Pass and Chicken Spring Lake.

Horseshoe Meadow is known for Cottonwood Lakes, but this is the shortest hike available in that area that is popular with both backpackers and hikers that takes you to a pretty alpine line. The total distance is about 9 miles round-trip with 1,500 ft elevation gain and loss which is pretty good for the Sierras.

The trail leaves the west end of the campground near the horse campsites. It's NOT the same trailhead as Cottonwood Lakes though you go up to Cottonwood Pass. Instead, the trailhead is on the west end of the southern parking lot and labled "Cottonwood Pass." This is a short, informal path linking the two trailheads.

The trail winds over the beautiful Horseshoe Meadow where cows typically graze in summer. After about 1 miles, it leaves the meadow and enters the open pine forest and climbs up to Cottonwood Pass. At the top, the trail branches, you take the right one, and heads out to the lake, a small round lake in a white granite tarn with a sprinkling of Foxtail Pines to provide shade as you eat. Protect your food from the greedy chipmunks who will steal small bags and chew a hole in your pack to get some nuts.

Return by reversing your path as you dream of taking this trail further on perhaps to Cirque Peak, Rock Creek, or looping back through Cottonwood Lakes, a favorite beginning backpack loop for us.

Getting Started

See my notes above. This trail is labeled at "Cottonwood Pass" and is NOT the same as the Cottonwood Lakes trailhead. This trailhead is on the southern side of the Horseshoe Meadow campgrounds while Cottonwood Lakes is to the north.

Taking Children

At 1,500 elevation gain and 9 miles round trip, this might be okay for those with experienced and robust kids, but otherwise, you'll hear some grumbling on the way up. But, Hey, they'll be happy forever to have done this.