On June 21-22, 1975 I joined with Scout Troop 82 and 84 (Lone Pine & Independence) Joe Crimi, Mike Cassiday, Stan Haye, Harry Evert, Norm Carpentier, Bobo Crimi, Cody Christensen, Larry Barton, Randy Stevenson, Bill Tomlin, Tom Tomlin, Joe Martell, Jimmy Carpentier, Dennis Evert and ??? Evert on a 6 mile round trip backpack to 11,400' Golden Trout Lakes.
The Golden Trout Lakes trail is in the John Muir Wilderness. Starting from the end of Onion Valley Road, the trail ends at Golden Trout Lakes between Dragon Peak and Kearsarge Peak. This primitive trail is steep, rugged and difficult to follow. From the parking lot to where the trail ends at the lakes is an elevation gain of 2,200 feet in 2.2 miles.
We assembled at Onion Valley at 7 a.m. Saturday and hiked up the Golden Trout Lake Trail. It is a slow steep climb for the first mile and then becomes easier but still a good climb. Bill Tomlin got sick about half way up but made it okay with some help.
At the "Y" in the stream, Mike Cassiday decided we should go to the right and camp at the lower of the two lakes on that branch since the top lake is usually the best fishing. As it turns out that lake was still frozen over completely. We camped at the lower lake anyway. It took us about 4 hours to go the 2000 feet and 3 miles. No luck fishing at this lake.
Sunday we got up around 6 a.m. and hiked an easy cross-country to Golden Trout Lake where we stayed for 2 hours. Mike C. caught 4 small trout - others didn't have any luck. About noon we headed down and gathered everyone together at the "Y" about 1 p.m. We made the cars about 2 p.m. - about 2 hours down. It was a good trip and everyone had a good time.
Route Map to Golden Trout Lake
