Cottonwood Creek flows through the high country of Inyo County, California, as a tributary to the Owens River, offering anglers a chance to pursue some of the state's most iconic trout in spectacular alpine terrain. This high-elevation freestone creek originates at the Cottonwood Lakes Basin near 11,000 feet and descends through meadows, willow-lined sections, and pine forests toward the Owens Valley floor. The creek is particularly renowned as home to golden trout, California's state fish, making it one of the few places where anglers can drive relatively close and still access golden trout water. The watershed encompasses numerous tributaries and forks that wind through Horseshoe Meadow and the surrounding wilderness, with the creek designated as both Wild and Scenic River and Wild Trout Stream. The area was originally fishless until 1876 when golden trout were introduced from Mulkey Creek, and these fish have since established self-sustaining populations throughout the drainage. The riparian zone features a rich assemblage of aspen, willow, and cottonwood, creating an unusual plant community for the California Desert Conservation Area.