Cottonwood Meadows Trail 705
USFS Info Sheet
MAP
This
is an interesting area seldom visited. One of the earliest trails
in the area led here from the east. Likely that Indians gathered
roots here, followed by trappers, and then shepherds. I am always
struck by the variety of birds present at the meadows. Very
buggy. Best in the Fall or late Summer. However, if you can get
in just as the snow is out, you will be rewarded by a stunning variety
of botanical diversity. Each of the meadows are quite different
ecologies. There will be alot of standing water in the early
season. The upper trailhead is directly across the road from the
Rimrock Trail. The trail continues at the far side of the first
meadow which retains a seasonal body of water. At the second
meadow, enter and keep right along the edge of the meadow and watch for
the trail's re-entry into the woods. A nice camp spot is across
the meadow's narrow north end and slightly to the left as you first
enter the the meadow. Beyond this larger meadow and it's lake pass
through some micro-meadows or pools finding the trail at the far side
each time. The third meadow opens on the right. Abundant
wildflowers. Keep to the woods edge on the left and meet the
road. The next 3/4 mile of the trail has been clearcut and not
restored by the Forest Service. Beyond the clearcut resume a nice
stretch of trail in virgin timber to the trail's end at the 4635-120
spur just west of the collapsed bridge over Cot Creek. Trail
descends the ridge nearby. The entire route is 2.8 miles in
length.
TRAIL WALKS THE WEST SIDE OF THE LAKE
Navigating
the clearcut is not recommended for those without good directional
skills. Basically, you want to follow the wash across the
road south into an opening where two clearcuts merge. Walk across
this open area keeping the uncut timber south of
you on your left. Follow the cut line until you see the cut
line curving left and then returning to the horizon on a small rise
ahead. Walk across the clearcut at this time to the cut line on
the rise. Just over the rise follow the cut line down to a
road. Go right then left. Walk out to the end of the spur
and follow ribbons down and slightly to the right to re-enter the
virgin timber and continue the trail. The clearcut has not
recovered very well and remains open featuring lots of beargrass and
sun. It's not unpleasant to walk across. Lots of
wildlife. GPS co-ordinates are provided with the map to assist
getting across the clearcut. If you come up from below during the
Winter this is a nice area to snowshoe. 
NORTH MEADOW, A SEASONAL POOL
Copyright 2008 Trail Advocates