Continue east on Mineral King Road another 1.3 miles and across a wooden bridge to the trailhead parking area. This is worth the effort. Mineral King is a subalpine glacial valley located in the southern part of Sequoia National Park, in the U.S. state of California. The trail passes through a diverse mix of Sierra terrain and ecology, from creekside cascades to old-growth forest to alpine lakes, and it The hike itself is great. Took me almost two hours to get up. Make sure to eat a lot of calories and drink plenty of water because you’re going to need it for this hike for sure. 1.5 hour) up a VERY narrow, winding road (unpaved in many areas). White Chief Trail Make your way to the Sawtooth Trailhead near the end of Mineral King and start up the trail. This trail provides many views of the rainbow-colored metamorphic rocks that attracted miners to this area in the 1870s, hoping to find silver. The valley lies at the headwaters of the East Fork of the Kaweah River, which rises at the eastern part of the valley and flows northwest.Accessed by a long and narrow winding road, the valley is mostly popular with backpackers and hikers. Whitney Power Company between 1903 and 1905. Mineral King Day Hikes Monarch Lakes. You do have to scramble rocks a little but the views are amazing. 15 Difficult Trails. It's unpaved, windy and narrow. Other than that, great hike. I was expecting a lot more based on prior reviews. It also wasn’t too crowded today. a prefect place to relax and enjoy natural. Once you get to the lake there are areas you can camp at. ig: @harrishikers, (Note: did the trail mid September) YOOOO WHAT IS UP! This trail is E.P.I.C! Mineral King is one of those rare, but fantastic little spots in a national park that is naturally protected from overcrowding simply because it is tucked away behind miles of winding and undulating roads. We saw three Deer frolicking around once we got to the lake which was awesome. The meadows are beautiful, the lake is beautiful, the deer are magic, the stream sounds like ASMR and the nature is amazing. Steep rock climb towards the end before you get to the lake, (Note: did this hike mid September) - for starters, this trail is beautiful! The lake was full of trout which jump out of the water regularly to eat bugs. Day 2: We begin our hike out of Mineral King. KEEP TREKKIN- We live in the valley and wanted to get away from the 109° temps and it couldn't have been better weather. View Mineral King Info. I went on this hike with the intention of wanting to find myself. The drive over the 25-mile winding road takes about 1.5 hours from Highway 198 in Three Rivers. The road has areas that are wide enough for two vehicles to squeeze by each other but do it slowly and safely because there is a big drop off. If ur into that type of thing.... anyway, the trail was gradually uphill for the majority of the trek and there were some steep parts. There is no maintained trail beyond Crystal Lake. I took my truck and had no problems, just keep an eye on the road and go slow. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. There are plenty of beautiful spots to stop along the way and see the view of the mountains behind you. Elevation gain: … Introduction. Leading you to the most beautiful sceneries of the parks’ southern section, the strenuous hike is rewarding—it offers one of the most impressive views in the southern Sierra. The hikes described below are suitable for day trips, but backcountry permits are also available for many of the areas. The beautiful Monarch Lakes grace the Sierra in an alpine cradle beneath Sawtooth Peak in the Mineral King Region of Sequoia National Park. definitely exceeded my expectations. The lake at the top was a great reward. Unfortunately there was a group of 8 people arriving at the same time as us being incredibly loud and obnoxious, so we didn’t really get to peacefully soak the views in as much as we’d have liked, but was definitely a cool hike. Be a king and go conquer MINERAL KING! Bugs were not too bad but I could see them being bad at dusk. Nice alternative to crowded Sequoia or Yosemite NP for backpackers Mineral King is a good place to start a hike high up into the magnificent back country of Sequoia. We tarped the undercarriage of the truck the best we could and started the trail. It is well worth enduring the poorly maintained, 25-mile Mineral King Road to access this subalpine glacial valley; you will not be disappointed. Start at the Sawtooth Trail parking area, 1 mile past the Mineral King Ranger Station. Completed the hike and got back to the car with a total of 9 miles hiked/walked, so it’s definitely not 6.5 miles. An alternative is to push a little longer on day one and hoof it all the way up to Pinto Lake (8,700 feet) in order to cut down on the haul the next day. Gauge your hiking to the least fit member of your party. The water is really cold, but definitely refreshing after hiking in the summer heat. The lake was beautiful but it was too cold to swim by the time we made it up there (about 70 degrees) and it started raining/thunder. Mineral King Road is an amazing drive in the southern part of Sequoia National Park, in the U.S. state of California. Make sure you have the right gear because I sure didn’t. you’re missing out if you skip this one! Once we got to the trailhead/mineral king valley, it was beautiful! The road is steep, narrow, and winding. One of the most challenging day hikes I’ve gone on, but definitely rewarding! The trail to Monarch Lakes begins at Sawtooth Trailhead in Sequoia National Park's scenic Mineral King Valley. But if you’re good in higher altitudes this hike is truly beautiful, just quite the climb up but I believe it’s doable for moderately experienced hikers as well. Mineral King Valley trail was spectacular!. 198, 4 miles north of Three Rivers and 2 miles south of Sequoia’s Ash Mountain Entrance. Mineral King is notorious for its thunderstorms, the weather can change in a matter of minutes. Please be aware that pets are not allowed on any trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. I also wanted to see Kern Hot Springs for the first time, and ending at Mt Whitney is always fun. Video from our annual hike. An uphill climb will get hikers to the Upper and Lower Franklin Lakes, settled in … Make sure you jump in the water when you're at the lake during the summer. The hike is definitely not something I would recommend for someone new to hiking and I definitely wouldn’t recommend that you take kids. It's really diverse going from soft ground in the forest to big rocks that requires small amounts of climbing. Once we turned at the sign to go right towards eagle lake was when our troubles REALLY started. Also, there is a DOPE lake at the end that is chilly but definitely swimable. The road can be challenging to navigate especially at night. Mile 2 was the most difficult part for me, and there is a rocky portion towards the end that requires some scrambling, but it was a lot of fun. 3.0 out of 5 stars The scale is better than NatGeo but is still much larger than USGS. Park at the White Chief Trailhead parking area or Sawtooth Trailhead parking area, and walk down Mineral King Corrals Road, which forks from the main Mineral King Road. Good hike! In developed areas, pets must be kept on a leash at all times. The valley views at the beginning are spectacular, and the forest parts are beautiful also. My sisters and I’s Apple Watch data actually said we hiked 8.8 and 9 miles — idk what’s accurate but get ready for it to feel like 8. Mineral King - Worth the trip for the amazing hiking! It’s also pretty rough, would definitely recommend taking a vehicle that can handle steep inclines, pot holes, sections of very bumpy dirt road. Mineral King to Eagle Lake Trail [CLOSED]. It was a zen feeling. The reviews aren’t lying when they say the road to the trail is no joke. The rock scramble towards the end was very challenging, but not overly difficult. This trail was harrrrrrrrd. Views at the start of the trail are absolutely spectacular, the Mineral King valley is really, really special, it was probably my favorite part of the hike. The hike up was hot; the hike down was pleasant. GO DO IT. Eagle Lake Trail: This moderately difficult, 6.8 mile trail is well worth the trek. Ps we didn’t see many marmots so we didn’t have to deal with them very much at the parking lot, the trail or the lake. The lake is beautiful and very clear! Franklin Lakes We took a quick swim in the chilly water and then hiked down. Typical days: 5. Whitney. 4 Easy Trails. I would recommend the following: bring plenty of water, snacks, good hiking shoes and bug repellent. You have to scramble up rocks that seem never ending. Some cars in the parking lot weren’t covered in tarps, but most cars were, and I sure didn’t want to risk it with those pesky car-eating marmots everyone talks about! Before I knew it, I was in Switzerland mountain climbing. The rock part closer to the end is quite hot and exhausting in the current July heat but was a cool part of the hike. During September the lake was dried out but we did swim in the puddle of water that was there lol. My big piece of advice is be careful with the altitude. The lake is nice. But like, pls still do the trail and get ur lazy butt out of bed and accept the challenge! The road sucks, big time. The drive to the trailhead is down a long, twisting, single-lane road. Crystal Lake. Long and windy 1.5 lane road but if you have experience driving mountain roads it’s very doable. This is one of the easier hikes in the Mineral King area, but since the trail follows a west-facing slope, it is best to get an early start. After my crying, I just wanted to get to the lake, didn’t want to stop when I was so close. How long is Mineral King Road? Estimated distance is 8.5 miles. Think of this as Sequoia’s secret: a hidden valley up at 7,500 feet reached by … It’s a tough hike, but once you reach the top it’s totally worth it. Gauge your hiking to the least fit member of your party. Eagle Lake itself, however, is strikingly clear and beautiful. Bring some music and enjoy the ride. At the lake we didn’t see too many people and it is big enough for the most part for people to pick their own little space of peace. But we loved the hike and want to do it again. Depending on where you're coming from I would recommend driving in and camping at Cold Springs Campground (which is also in close proximity to the ranger station) the night before you begin your trip. The trail climbs to the Franklin Lakes and the Franklin Pass. The open slopes surrounding the Mineral King Valley are kept free of trees by avalanches; Timber Gap itself is protected from avalanches, and is covered with red fir which the miners in the 1800's used for fuel and to shore up their mine shafts. The best detailed hiking map of Mineral King that I've been able to find. Beautiful hike. Then we kept going up and up and up and people were so sweet and told us we were almost there. As in all areas of the park, it is best to carry water, as the purity of the lakes and streams along the trails cannot be guaranteed. The elevation gain is about 2,000 feet. However, the road is narrow in some areas so be careful driving on the road. Sequoia: Mineral King. It was really worth it! We saw marmots and deer. I say this so you know whats ahead! Decent topo. It’s also important to note that in order to get to the trail you have to drive 24 miles (approx. Humans aren’t the … 18 Intermediate Trails. There are lots of car-eating marmots in the parking area so be sure to bring a tarp to cover the undercarriage of your vehicle. This trail is incredible! First, for context I’d say I’m a 24 y/o newbie hiker in relatively good shape. Eagle Lake Map by TomHarrisonMaps.com (click to enlarge) THE HIKE The trail, and the small dam on Crystal Lake were built by the Mt. The trail passes through meadows, red fir forest, and the avalanche-scoured Chihuahua Bowl, a basin named by hopeful miners for an area of rich mines in Mexico. As soon as we reached the lake, it was a serene quietness. We weren’t almost there. Something about the bare granite bowl makes it less attractive than other lakes in the Sierra, but it is nonetheless a worthy destination. Took just as much time coming down as it did going up but with a lot less sweating lol. We had a clear hike up and spent some time at Eagle lake with our feet in the water then we got a good rain shower on the way back. . It was well worth it and will go back. NO SOUND whatsoever from nature. But good. I’m an average hiker, so this trail was a bit of a challenge but lovely nonetheless. It’s true that the road to the trailhead is long, winding, and narrow. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks now open. During the early summer, mosquitoes can be a particular nuisance. Hikes in Mineral King The elevation at the floor of the Mineral King Valley is 7500' (2286 meters). The lake is just warm enough to swim a little but still pretty cold. Hiking in Mineral King Mineral King is known for its breathtaking views on its multitude of hikes! Do this hike but just be prepared with water and supplies and the right shoes and the mindset to conquer this mountain! The lake was cool and refreshing and the dip was needed after the strenuous hike in the heat. The Mineral King area of California's Sequoia National Park provides hiking access to some of the most spectacular high country in the southern Sierra. Upper and Lower Monarch Lakes lie at the foot of Sawtooth Peak, at the end of a 4.2 mile (one-way) hike. The climb up was SUPER STEEP and I needed to stop every .25 miles to take as much of a breath the nature would allow me. The road is 39.91km (24.8 miles) long and runs west-east from CA-198 (Sierra Drive) towards Mineral King. It's not too cold and extremely refreshing! Despite the climb, the grade is relatively easy going. Then we climbed some more. I used a tarp to protect my truck from the marmots but a lot of cars in the parking lot didn’t and seemed to be okay. Hikers must drive to reach the Mineral King trails. Absolutely gorgeous trail, worth the climb! I was feeling anxious at home and wanted to do something special. Mineral King is truly a special place to hike. Comment Report abuse. Parking sucks big time too, day hikers will have a tough time finding a spot on a weekend. The gorgeous valley is tucked in the southwestern corner of Sequoia National Park at the head of the East Fork of the Kaweah River surrounded by a stunning cirque. Mineral King “ A challenging yet rewarding loop in the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park, CA. Very rocky + loose gravel- There will be stacks of rocks to guide ur way on this rocky portion of the hike. though, I will not lie this trail is a HOE. The drive up on Mineral King rd from the 198 is lengthy but worth it in my opinion. That being said, the trail is well maintained and easy to follow. After it reaches the lower rim of Eagle Basin, the trails split. I also went early and there were a lot of people headed up as I was heading out. 47050 Generals Highway We went to Mineral King with a loop in mind, due to excessive snowfall this winter our planned loop was still impassable even in early July. The road is narrow with a sharp drop off and there is no buffers or railings between you and the drop off. Did this hike on 9/6. So glad we decided to do this trail I’ve never felt so small in a good way the world is sooo beautiful definitely recommend this hike even if you feel a little hesitant because of all the uphill take breaks every so often, lots of water + snacks and you’ll get through it! Completely clear skies on the way up, two hours later a huge thunderstorm. The drive up to Mineral King is long and windy, and took about 90 minutes at a modest pace, so be prepared for that. The drive up is a small winding mix between paved road and dirt roads. The mountain is super steep. I wish they'd re-pave it all the way through. Crabtree's ruined cabin, located near the meadow beyond the junction with the Eagle/Mosquito Lakes Trail, is perhaps the oldest remaining structure in the Mineral King area. The hike back down is a lot easier. This is almost all uphill, it was a challenge for sure but the views were worth it. the end of the trail has a sweet view of Whitney. Crazy huge potholes, one lane road pretty much the whole time, and the unpaved dirt sections have massive dips you need to watch out for. You will be climbing up the side of a mountain towards the end. Upper and Lower Monarch Lakes lie at the foot of Sawtooth Peak, at the end of a 4.2 mile (one-way) hike. On the hike back to the car it did rain on us a bit which was cool in my opinion. Crystal Lake Read more. We weren’t very experienced in higher altitudes and we got to the top and felt sick so had to climb back down a bit which kinda put a damper on the lake experience. Mineral King / California's Southwestern Sierra Why Hike Franklin Lakes This popular day hike climbs to a scenic promontory above Lower Franklin Lake, providing a bird’s-eye view of this pretty lake nestled in a photogenic cirque beneath the towering peaks and ridges of the Great Western Divide. It was HARD. Hiking at this altitude is strenuous. Mineral King is remote and has no services. Start at the Sawtooth Trail parking area, 1 mile past the Mineral King Ranger Station. The trail is shockingly difficult, and surprisingly steep. I saw 5-6 deer, sooty grouses, a tarantula (eek!) During the early summer, mosquitoes can be a particular nuisance. The route to both of these lakes follows the same trail for the first 2 miles, ascending steadily up the west side of the Mineral King Valley. 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