Wilderness Trail Descriptions

Trail Closures

Due to previous wildfire activity and impacts from 2023 winter storms, some trails are closed or have lost trailhead access. Check our trail and road closure map on the Maps page for details.

Learn how to avoid dangers when hiking through recently burned areas.

 

M. Gieskes

 

Snow Pillows

You may come across a large fluid filled sack in the ground while exploring some of the more remote areas of the parks. These are called snow pillows. They are used to measure the density of snow in the High Sierra and are extremely expensive to repair or replace. If ruptured, the fluid inside of these pillows will attract wildlife and can cause illness or death when ingested. Please do not disturb them.  

 

Points of Interest

• Rae Lakes Loop
• High Sierra Trail
• Mt. Whitney

Begin by familiarizing yourself with the Parks' many trails. The descriptions on this page are brief and meant to act only as jumping off points for you to begin your research. Backpacking is more safe and fun when you plan ahead! Start by finding a route that is best suited to your ability, allotted timeframe and comfort level. No matter where you decide to go, this land will surprise and invigorate you. Go forth, wilderness awaits...

Maps and Trail Guides

Here are some tools to help you plan your trip:

• Our digital Park Atlas allows you to create and print custom maps of your route. 

• Printed maps are available at park visitor centers and through the Sequoia Parks Conservancy Bookstore.

• For shorter hikes, check our information on day hiking trails. 

 

I. Barba

Cedar Grove and Road's End

Wilderness permits for the following trails are only issued from the Road's End Permit Station.

Rae Lakes Loop: Begins at Road's End. 41 mile Loop. Canyon views, high alpine lakes, vistas. Can be accessed via Woods Creek (clockwise) or Bubb's Creek (counter clockwise) trailheads.

Bubb's Creek Trail: Begins at Road's End. Steep then steady grade. Access to John Muir/Pacific Crest Trails. Southern leg of the Rae Lakes Loop (entry trail if doing the loop counter-clockwise). First allowed campsite - Sphinx Creek Junction (4 miles).

Woods Creek Trail: Begins at Road's End. Steady moderate climb. Very busy trail. Vistas, rivers, and high lakes. Access to JMT/PCT. Northern leg of the Rae Lakes Loop (entry trail if doing the loop clockwise). First allowed campsite - Paradise Valley (6.5 miles). Designated sites may be required in Paradise Valley-confirm with Road's End Permit Station.

Copper Creek Trail: Begins at Road's End. Hot, steep climb; leave early in the day or late in the evening. Forests, vistas, alpine lakes. Access to Middle Fork of the Kings River. First allowed campsite - Lower Tent Meadow (4 miles).

Lewis Creek Trail: Begins at the Lewis Creek Trailhead. Hot, steep, dusty climb. Trail becomes difficult to follow north of Kennedy Pass. Forest, lakes, and vistas. First allowed campsite - Frypan Meadow (5.5 miles).

 

NPS Photo

Grant Grove

Wilderness permits for the following trails are issued from Kings Canyon Visitor Center (in Grant Grove), the Lodgepole Visitor Center, and the Ash Mountain Wilderness Office. If you are entering the parks from the Jennie Lakes Wilderness, you will get a wilderness permit. If, however, you remain in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness without entering the parks, no permit is required.

Redwood Canyon Trail: **Currently closed due to damage from KNP fire.** Begins at the Redwood Saddle trailhead. Mostly easy hiking. Two easy six-mile loops through the parks' largest giant sequoia groves. Two-night camping limit. Maximum group-size is ten people. First allowed campsite - Redwood Creek (1 mile).

J.O. Pass Trail: Begins at Big Meadows or Rowell Meadow trailheads in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness. Moderate hike; the first two miles are the hardest. Forests, lakes. First allowed campsite - Rowell Meadow (2.2 miles).

Belle Canyon Trail: Begins at either Marvin Pass, Rowell Meadow, or Big Meadows in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness. Moderate hike; first two miles are the hardest. Forests, lakes, and vistas.

Sugarloaf Trail: Begins at either Marvin Pass, Rowell Meadow, or Big Meadows trailheads in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness. Moderate hike. Spectacular glaciated canyons.

 

J. Bean

Lodgepole and Giant Forest

Wilderness permits for the following trails are only issued from the Lodgepole Visitor Center.

Twin Lakes Trail: Begins at the Lodgepole Campground. Moderately steep climb. Forests, meadows and lakes. Access to Silliman Pass and Jennie Lake Wilderness. First allowed campsite - Cahoon Meadow (3 miles).

Lakes Trail: Begins at Wolverton. Moderately strenuous climb. Must camp in designated sites. Alpine vistas and lakes. Heather and Aster Lakes are closed to overnight use. First allowed campsite - Emerald Lake (5 miles).

Alta Trail: Begins at Wolverton. Steady climb to Alta Peak. Forests, meadows, alpine vistas. First allowed campsite - Panther Gap (3 miles), no water.
**Please note that a High Sierra Trail permit is needed to access the High Sierra Trail between Seven Mile Hill and Kaweah Gap. A permit for the Alta Trail is not valid for travel on this segment of High Sierra Trail**

High Sierra Trail: Begins at Crescent Meadow. There is no water available at the trailhead. Long, easy-going traverse to Bearpaw Meadow. Steady climb to lakes and passes beyond. Canyons, vistas. About seventy miles to Mt. Whitney. First allowed campsite - Panther Creek (3 miles).

 

J. Daniel

Foothills

Wilderness permits for the following trails are only issued from the Wilderness Office near the Foothills Visitor Center.

Middle Fork Trail: Begins near Buckeye Flat Campgroud with a slight grade along the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. Oaks to pines, rivers & vistas. Early and late season access. Watch out for ticks, poison oak, and rattlesnakes. First allowed campsite - Panther Creek (3.5 miles).

Lady Bug Trail: Begins at the South Fork Campground. Short and steep; trail ends at South Fork Grove (5.1 miles). South-facing trail accessible year-round. Watch out for ticks, poison oak, and rattlesnakes. First allowed campsite - Lady Bug Camp (1.7 miles).

Garfield Grove Trail: Begins at the South Fork Campground. Steady climb; good early season hiking. Giant Sequoias at Garfield Grove and then climbs on to the Hockett Plateau. Watch out for ticks, poison oak, and rattlesnakes. First allowed campsite - Snowslide (4 miles).

 

M. Smith

Mineral King Valley

Wilderness permits for the following trails are only issued from the Mineral King Ranger Station.

Atwell-Hockett Trail: Begins at Atwell Mill Campground. Easy to moderate climb. Giant sequoia grove, meadows. Ten miles to Hockett Meadow. Popular stock trail. First allowed campsite - Clover Creek (6 miles).

Paradise Ridge Trail: Begins at Atwell Mill Campground. Steep climb; hot and dry. Sequoia grove and vistas. Ten miles to Redwood Meadow. First allowed campsite - Paradise Ridge (3 miles), no water.

Tar Gap Trail: Begins at Cold Spring Campground. Moderate climb. Lakes, forests, alpine vistas. Twelve miles to Hockett Meadow. Popular stock trail. First allowed campsite - Deer Creek (4 miles).

Mosquito/Mineral Trail: Begins at the end of the Mineral King Road. Moderately strenuous climb. Lakes and spectacular vistas. Trail terminates at the first Mosquito Lake; cross-country travel to upper lakes. First allowed campsite - Mosquito Lake #2 (4 miles).

Eagle Lake Trail: Begins at the end of the Mineral King Road. Steady, moderately steep climb. Lake and alpine vistas. First allowed campsite - Eagle Lake (3.4 miles).

White Chief Trail: Begins at the end of the Mineral King Road. Moderately strenuous climb. Lakes and spectacular vistas. First allowed campsite - White Chief Bowl (2.5 miles).

Farewell Gap Trail: Begins at the Franklin Pass trailhead. Moderately strenuous climb. Access to Sequoia National Forest trails. First allowed campsite - Franklin/Farewell Junction (4 miles).

Franklin Pass Trail: Begins at the Franklin Pass trailhead. Moderately strenuous climb. Lake and alpine vistas. Popular stock trail. First allowed campsite - Franklin/Farewell Junction (4 miles).

Sawtooth Pass Trail: Begins at the Sawtooth Parking Lot. Steep, Strenuous climb. Rough unmaintained trail beyond Monarch Lakes. Access to Glacier Pass, Big and Little Five Lakes. First allowed campsite - Lower Monarch Lake (4.2 miles).

Timber Gap Trail: Begins at the Sawtooth Parking Lot. Moderately steep climb. Forest, lakes. Access to Black Rock Pass and Redwood Meadow trails. Popular stock trail. First allowed campsite - Timber Gap (2.2 miles), no water.

 

Sequoia National Forest

Wilderness permits for the following trails are issued by Sequoia National Forest. They can be reached at [phone].

Long Meadow Trail: Begins at the Mountain Home trailhead. Moderate climb. First campsite - Summit Lake (7.6 miles).

Fish Creek Trail: Begins at the Jerkey Meadow trailhead. Easy to moderate climb. Water is scarce. Fist campsite - Grey Meadow (5 miles).

 

Sierra National Forest

Wilderness permits for the following trails are issued by Sierra National Forest. They can be reached at [phone].

Florence Lake Trail: Begins at Florence Lake. Moderate climb. John Muir Trail, Evolution Valley, and Goddard Canyon access point. A boat-taxi across the lake is available from the trailhead in the summer. First campsite - Blaney Meadow (10 miles).

Tehipite Valley Trail: Begins at Wishon Reservoir. Moderate to the rim of the valley. Very strenuous climb into and out of Tehipite. First campsite - Cow Meadow (4 miles)

 

Inyo National Forest

Wilderness permits for the following trails are issued by Inyo National Forest. They can be reached at [phone].

Piute Pass: Begins at North Lake. Permits issued from the White Mountain Ranger Station. Moderate to strenuous. Access to John Muir Trail, Evolution Valley, Humphrey's Basin. First campsite - Lock Leven (3.5 miles).

Bishop Pass: Begins at South Lake. Permits issued from the White Mountain Ranger Station. Moderate to Strenuous. Access to John Muir Trail, Dusy Basin, LeConte Canyon. First campsite - Long Lake (3 miles).

Kearsarge Pass: Begins at Onion Valley. Permits issued from the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center. Moderate climb. Access to John Muir Trail and Rae Lakes Loop. First campsite - Flower Lake (3.5 miles).

Mt. Whitney: Begins at Whitney Portal. Permits are issued from the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center and are required for both backpackers and day hikers. Very strenuous, especially to those not acclimated. Be wary of altitude sickness. First campsite - Outpost camp (5 miles). For more information please visit our Climbing Mt. Whitney page.

Cottonwood Lakes: Begins at Horseshoe Meadow. Moderate climb to the Lakes; strenuous climb over New Army Pass. First campsite - Cottonwood Lake #1.