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Lone Pine Access (Cottonwood Pass and Trail Pass Area)

Lone Pine Access (Cottonwood Pass and Trail Pass Area) reference article on thruhikingwiki.com.

Overview

Lone Pine is an eastern Sierra town that Pacific Crest Trail hikers can access early in the high Sierra, typically via side trails near Cottonwood Pass or Trail Pass, followed by a road descent to the Owens Valley.

Key points

  • Accessed via side trails from the PCT/JMT corridor near the Cottonwood Pass and Trail Pass area around mile ~750.
  • Requires an off-trail hike to a trailhead followed by a substantial road descent to Lone Pine along the eastern Sierra corridor.
  • Functions as an optional early Sierra resupply stop for hikers managing snow, pack weight, or pacing adjustments.
  • Provides lodging, food, and basic services along a major highway route on the east side of the range.
  • Not used by all hikers; inclusion in an itinerary depends on timing, conditions, and personal resupply strategy.

Details

Lone Pine lies in the Owens Valley on the east side of the Sierra Nevada and can be reached from the PCT via side trails that connect through the Cottonwood Pass and Trail Pass region. These connector trails lead to trailheads above the town, from which hikers typically travel by vehicle along a long mountain road into Lone Pine itself.

Because this exit occurs relatively soon after leaving Kennedy Meadows South, it is often considered an optional stop. Some hikers use Lone Pine as an early safety valve if snow conditions are more demanding than expected, if pack weight is proving challenging, or if they prefer shorter initial carries while adjusting to high-elevation travel. Others choose to bypass this exit and continue deeper into the range before their first resupply.

In town, Lone Pine offers a combination of lodging, restaurants, and small-town services that are oriented both toward travelers on the highway corridor and visitors to nearby trailheads. For PCT hikers, it can serve either as a one-time early Sierra stop or as part of a broader pattern of east-side resupplies throughout the high Sierra section.

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Illustrative hiking footage

The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.