Cottonwood Creek

California

Inyo National Forest
351 Pacu Lane
Suite 200
Bishop, California 93514

Designated Reach: March 30, 2009. From its headwaters at the spring in Section 27, Township 4 South, Range 34 East to the northern boundary of Sec. 5, Township 4 South, Range 34 East.

Classification/Mileage: Wild — 17.4 miles; Recreational — 4.1 miles; Total — 21.5 miles.

Cottonwood Creek originates in the ancient bristlecone forests of the White Mountains. The creek flows eastward from the 14,000-foot crest of the White Mountains and steeply descends through groves of aspen, eventually flowing into a sagebrush desert. Numerous springs feed the creek as it meanders through large meadows of the upper reaches. Stands of aspen and bristlecone pine can be found in the higher elevations, while lower elevations are marked with stands of pinyon and juniper trees.

Cottonwood Creek is home to the rare Paiute cutthroat trout, one of the rarest trout in North America. The stream is flanked by a rich forest of aspen, willow and cottonwoods that also supports more than 70 species of birds.

The creek is very remote, but offers numerous opportunities for primitive recreation, including hiking, backpacking, equestrian use, angling, hunting and bird watching. Anglers visiting the lower portion of the creek can find a quality brown trout fishery. There are no formal trails accessing the area; however, one can find user trails accessing portions of the creek.

To get to Cottonwood Creek, drive east on California Highway 168 from Big Pine. Turn left on the Ancient Bristlecone National Scenic Byway (Forest Road 01). Proceed north approximately 26 miles to the Patriarch Grove and Nature Trail. The trail provides dramatic views into the upper Cottonwood Creek Basin, as well as great up-close examples of bristlecone pine. Access to the recreation segments on the lower reaches of the river is from Bureau of Land Management lands just west of the junction of Highways 168 and 266.