Cottonwood Creek

[rick56]

I have a reservation for Rancheria Falls trailhead in June. I've been in contact with a park employee and the bridge is still out from high water last November. My son is new to backpacking and I was wondering if anyone can tell me about Cottonwood Creek trail which is only 3.9 miles as opposed to Rancheria which is 6.5 miles long one way. I'm trying to find a short trip that it not steep. Cottonwood leaves out of Hetch Hetchy like Rancheria but goes South from the reservoir instead of North around the lake. I don't have snow gear and I'm not Bear Gylles, want this to be fun, not an ordeal. Thanks

[oakroscoe]

Well the bridge is almost done:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,33597

As for cottonwood creek, I believe that is off the Smith Meadows trailhead, but I'm not sure. I've never been up that one before, so I can't give you any first hand info on it.

[AlmostThere]

Smith Meadow trailhead is from the ranger station at the gate and is nowhere near the lake. Cottonwood Creek won't get you anywhere close to Hetch Hetchy, or any of the falls. You would need a different permit for that.

As for snow... in June around that elevation it should be either melted or well under way, but of course I don't know what the weather will be like in May...

[rick56]

Thanks, I was studying my map and I can see it is just South of the reservoir. It appears that trial does follow Cottonwood Creek. I've been reading that Mosquitos can be quite a problem in the warm months. Seems camping well away from lakes and streams would be a good idea. But then you'd have to hike back to get water. Read one guys post where they were so bad he had to wear a net just to eat. And they got in his food, yuk. I would have hiked out of there to find a place where they are less of a hassel.

[oakroscoe]

The key to mosquitoes is to find a ridge or another area with wind. You just need a decent draft of wind that is stronger than what they can fly. So if you camp up on a ridge where there is a constant stream of wind, they wont be able to get to you.