Cannell Meadow Ranger District
Upper Kern Canyon

Cannell Trail (National Recreation Trail)
Trail begins at the horse corrals, 2 miles north of Kernville on State Mtn. 99. The trail starts out at a gradual climb, becoming more steep as you reach Pine Flat. The trail affords magnificent views of the Kern River Valley during the trip. As the trail climbs into higher elevations, it gets into a mixed pine and fir forest. At Pine Flat the trail parallels the south side of Forest Road #24S12, and crosses Cannell Creek two different times before reaching the Cannell Meadow Forest Service Cabin, built between 1904 and 1909. Trail is considered moderate to strenuous in difficulty, is very open and exposed, and provides little shade.

Rincon Trail
Trail starts approximately 10 miles north of Kernville on State Mtn. 99 across from Ant Canyon, and proceeds north following the Rincon fault to the Forks of the Kern River. The trail ascends and descends in elevation, in and out of drainages, passing through fiats of Jeffrey and digger pine, cedar and chaparral. Salmon, Brush and Durrwood Creeks are crossed offering good fishing and some nice undeveloped camping spots. This trail intersects with the trail to Packsaddle Cave and further north a tie-in section of trail connects this trail to the River Trail. It is considered moderate to strenuous in difficulty.

Packsaddle Cave Trail
Trail begins 16 miles north of Kernville on State Mtn. 99. The trail is a moderate, occasionally steep incline to a cave that has long since been robbed of some of its stalactites and stalagmites, yet is still worth seeing. Along this incline one will see deer brush, manzanita, live oak, digger pine and sagebrush. Bring a flashlight to explore the cave.

Flynn Trail
Trail begins at the Fairview foot bridge, 16 miles north of Kernville on State Mtn. 99. Crossing over the bridge, the trail climbs up a small hill, then proceeds to a moderate climb up Flynn Creek drainage. The last half mile of trail is a very steep, strenuous hike up to Speas Ridge. At the ridge, you can tie into a 1.5 mile trail to Johnsondale #32E32 or tie into Forest Service Road #23S33. Larkspur, wildrose, gooseberry and brewer's oak abound in this area. Watch for poison oak!

Tobias Trail
Trail starts 1/2 mile up the same trailhead as Flynn Trail, forking off at the top of the hill, then descending a short way into Tobias Creek. Here the trail will follow Tobias Creek 1.5 to 2 miles. For the next 2-3 miles the trail climbs to the top of Speas Ridge. The trail is in close proximity to the creek bottom, through mixed chaparral and riparian habitat. The trail offers good fishing along the way. Like the Flynn Trail, during summer months, it's quite hot and dusty going! Trail is considered moderate to strenuous in difficulty.

River Trail
Trail begins 19 miles north of Kernville on the east side of the Johnsondale Bridge off State Mtn. 99. This trail follows the Kern River, proceeding north from the bridge amid chips of metamorphic rock, eventually intersecting with the Rincon Trail. The trail climbs to a gentle to moderate grade over riverside bluffs, then descends to interspersed riverside terraces. Digger Pine, live oak, incense cedar, manzanita and pine dot the areas as well as high boulders, creating cave-like campsites. Parts of this trail may be submerged at the height of spring run-off. Good access for fishing on the North Fork of the Kern River. Trail suitable for day hikes or overnight backpack trips and is considered easy to moderate in difficulty.

Greenhorn Ranger District

Bright Star Trail
Trail starts in the Piute Mountains on Road 28S27 near Inspiration Point. This is an historic route which is not maintained and not passable for horses or motorcycles due to loose talus slopes. The route may be difficult to follow in places - a topographic map is required. The lower 1/2 mile is on private land terminating at the end of Erskine Creek Road. Historic evidence of mining can be seen along this route.

Bull Run Trail
Trail starts at the end of the Cow Creek Road which is the left fork at an intersection 1.25 miles north of Greenhorn Summit on Forest Hwy. 90. 4WD is required for the last 1/2 mile of the road. The trail descends Cow Creek to Bull Run Creek, turns upstream and climbs gently 1.5 miles into Bull Run Basin. A moderate climb up a ridge ends at road 24S35. Pine and oak line the creek with brushy slopes above. There is trout fishing in the creek but it is not stocked.

Clear Creek Trail
Trail begins one mile north of the Havilah Work Center. The first two miles are on private land. Please stay on the trail and close fence gates. The trail ends in Brown Meadow after climbing through grass oaks and brush to Clear Creek, then making numerous fords of the creek on a moderate climb through oak woodland and pine forest. Spring wildflowers are abundant in the lower and middle elevations.

Dry Meadow Trail
Trail starts at the end of the Steve Spring Road (28S27B) in the Piute Mountains. The trail descends in mixed conifer forest to open pine stands at Woolstalf Meadow, turns north and climbs through pine/oak woodland before descending along a small stream to Dry Meadows.

Greenhorn Mountain Trail
Trail loops along Greenhorn Summit beginning at the Summit Station. Moderate climbing and good views.

Hobo Fishing Trail
Trail begins at Hobo Campground and follows the Kern River to Sandy Flat Campground. Gentle slopes and good fishing are accessible along the Trail.

Kern River Trail
Trail begins at Hwy. 178 and Delonegha Road. There are gradual elevation changes as the trail parallels the river through open hillsides of grass and oak. The trail ends beyond China Garden. There can be excellent wildflower displays along this trail from mid-March to late April.

Mill Creek Trail
Trail starts 1.5 miles east of Hwy. 178 on Old Kern Canyon Road. The trail climbs gradually along Mill Creek for 2 miles, crossing the creek several times. Open oak/grass and riparian woodlands are found here, with fine spring wildflowers. Leaving the creek, one climbs moderate to steep grades through brush fields to mixed conifer forest. The trail ends at a small spur road just north of Squirrel Meadow.

Pacific Crest Trail
Trail crosses Piute Mountain Road 1.5 miles east of Landers Meadow (also crosses at west end of meadow). This segment has moderate grades as it traverses the southeast corner of the Piute Mountains in Pinyon/Juniper, Ponderosa pine, Pine and mixed conifer forest. A reliable spring (treat before drinking) is located at the Old Waterhole Mine 1/2 mile south of Landers Meadow. Mountain Bikes are not allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Patch Corner
Trail starts at the Democrat Bridge and parallels the Kern River, coming in at China Gardens. Good springtime wildflower displays.

Portuguese
Trail begins on Forest Hwy. 90 just south of the Girl Scout Camp and follows a series of small meadows to a ridge and then back to Forest Hwy. 90. Please stay on the trail and do not short cut switch backs. Wet conditions may also leave trails subject to erosion.

Remington Ridge Trail
Trail starts 1.75 miles west of Hobo Campground on Old Kern Canyon Road. The climb is moderate to steep and passes from open oak/grass woodland with spring wildflowers, through brush fields, to pine/oak forest at the O'Brien Spring Road. Views of Isabella Lake, Kern Canyon and Kern Plateau can be seen in the higher portion of the trail.

Sunday Peak Trail
Trail begins at the Girl Scout Camp parking area on Forest Hwy. 90 and climbs through mixed conifer forest on a moderate grade to the summit of Sunday Peak. Excellent views of the Kern Valley, the Plateau and high Sierra peaks may be seen on clear days This Trail is a good day hike for families, with a nice lunch spot at the summit.

Trail of A Hundred Giants
Hot Springs Ranger District

A Grove of Giants
Trail of a Hundred Giants is located within the Long Meadow Giant Sequoia Grove, the second most southern grove where giant sequoias are found. The Grove contains 125 giant sequoias over 10 feet in diameter and 143 sequoias under 10 feet in diameter. The largest tree in the grove has a diameter of 20 feet and is 220 feet in height The grove encompasses 355 acres. It is estimated the age of the trees in the grove are between 500 to 1,500 years old.

About The Trail
Trail of a Hundred Giants is one of the most popular hiking trails on the Sequoia National Forest. It provides a cool, easy walk and makes for an ideal hiking trail of short duration. The trail is a self-guided interpretive trail about one-half mile long. There are 13 interpretive stations along the way which provide information about the trail, the grove and management activities on the Sequoia National Forest. The signs emphasize ecology of giant sequoias including the necessary environment for growth of the trees, related species associated with the sequoias, the approximate size and age of the trees found in the grove and the role of fire.

Construction of the trail was performed through volunteer labor. Mary harl a student at Dartmouth College designed the artwork on the Interpretive signs. Allan Landon, a school teacher from Tulare, California, built the foot bridges. Dave Hefner and members of the Kern Valley Wildlife Association were responsible for trail construction along with Forest Service personnel. The interpretive signs were paid for by Three Forests Interpretive Association (3FIA).

How To Get There
The trail is located about 45 miles northwest of Kernville on the Hot Springs Ranger District. From Kernville, take State Mtn. 99 north to Johnsondale. Continue west on Mtn. 50 to the Western Divide Hwy. turn-off, go two miles to the Redwood Meadow Campground. The trail is located across the road from the campground. Travel time from Kernville is about 1.5 hours.

From Hwy. 65, turn east at the Ducor exit and continue through California Hot Springs. From the Hot Springs area, travel on towards the Western Divide Hwy. turnoff. Go for two miles until you reach the Trail of Hundred Giants parking area and the Redwood Meadow Campground.

Tule River Ranger District

Summit Trail (Wilderness Portion) (National Recreation Trail)
Leaves from the Summit Trailhead approximately 10 miles north of Quaking Aspen on F.S. Road 21S5O. Trail runs north and south along the Western Divide Hwy, crossing Mountaineer Creek and Pecks Canyon Creek. It offers scenic views of the Sierras, meadows, Maggie Lakes and Alpine terrain. Trail ends at Sheep Mt. entrance of the Golden Trout Wilderness (GTW). Approximate hiking time to the lakes is 5-6 hours. Fishing is available in Maggie and Twin Lakes.

Summit Trail (Non-Wilderness Portion) (National Recreation Trail)
Trail travels from the GTW boundary south to Freezeout Meadow on the Hot Springs District. Trail is bisected many times by roads, but does provide the visitor with many beautiful views and interesting things to see. Trail is open to hikers, horses, and two-wheel OVH's.

Clicks Creek Trail
Leaves from trailhead on F.S. Road 21S50, approximately 7 miles from Quaking Aspen. Trail travels primarily east and west following and crossing Clicks Creek several times. It offers large meadows, heavy forested areas, and open forest land. Parts of this trail are steep. Fishing is available in the Little Kern.

Lewis Camp Trail
Leaves from Lewis Camp Trailhead 8 miles north of Quaking Aspen. Travels east to Trout Meadow, then north to Kern Ranger Station in Sequoia-Kings Canyon N.F. Offers scenic views of Sierras, crosses the Little Kern River on a suspension bridge, then to Trout Meadow Ranger Station, Willow Meadow, and north to the Big Kern River, up to the Little and Big Kern Lakes (no fishing in the big lake). Trail continues on to the Kern Ranger Station Bridge, crossing the Big Kern into the Inyo National Forest at the east end of the trail. Trail is 18 miles long. Fishing is available in the Little and Big Kern River and the Little Kern Lake.

Jerkey Meadow Trail
Starts at Plyes Camp, then leaves from Lloyd Meadow near the end of F.S. Road 22S82 at the Jerkey Meadow Trailhead. Travels mostly north and south. Rises quickly out of Lloyd Meadow to Jerkey Meadow, then down to Fish Creek, to Grey Meadow Ranger Station, and on to intersect with the Clicks Creek Trail and continues on to Mountaineer Trail. Offers scenic views, meadows, and open forest areas. To Grey Meadow is 5 miles. Fishing and water is scarce on this trail.

Forks Of The Kern Trail
Leaves from Forks of the Kern Trailhead in Lloyd Meadow. Trail drops down to the Kern River immediately out of the trailhead, crossing the Little Kern River. There is no bridge crossing the Little Kern, and extreme caution should be used. Crossing should not be attempted during spring snow runoff. Trail travels on the west bank of the Kern River for several miles to Kern Flat (a large meadow near the river), then crosses the Big Kern River on a bridge 1.5 miles above Kern Flat. Trail continues on to the Cannell Meadow District of the Sequoia N.F. Campsites and fishing are available from the Little Kern Crossing to the Big Kern Bridge.

Lloyd Meadow Trail
Lloyd Meadow Trail connects with Lloyd Meadow Road 22S82 at the Jerkey Meadow Trailhead and a large turnout near the base of the Needles, 5.1 miles south. Trail is generally easy, sloping terrain with a few small stream crossings. It is open for hiking, horses, and motorcycles, but closed to ATV's. Fishing and water is scarce in summer months.

Nelson Trail
Nelson Trail travels from Quaking Aspen to Camp Nelson. Starting just below Quaking Aspen on State Highway 190 and dropping steeply down to the Tule River, passing through the Wheel Meadow and Belknap Giant Sequoia groves adjacent to the Tule River. The lower portion of this trail is open for hikers, horses, and motorcycles. The upper portion for horses and hikers only. Fishing is available along most of the trail, except for the upper portion.

Wishon Trail
Wishon Trail travels between Camp Wishon and Mt. Home State Forest. It leaves from a trailhead just above Wishon. The trail is by road for the first 1.25 miles, then turns up and passes above Doyle Springs, then comes down to cross the Tule River. The rest of the trail is next to the river until crossing Silver Creek near Mt. Home State Forest. The lower portion of this trail is open to motorcycles to the trail junction with trail 31E21 and closed to ATV's. Fishing available along most of the trail in the Tule River and its tributaries.

The Needles Trail
Trail travels easterly from the Needles Road 4 miles from the Western Divide Hwy to the Needles Fire Lookout. Trail is on the north slope of Needles Ridge and offers a view of the Lloyd Meadow and western half of the GTW. There is no water on this trail or at the lookout.

Freeman Creek Trail
Freeman Creek Trail connects Quaking Aspen with Lloyd Meadow and drops 1500 ft in elevation between the two locations. Traveling west to east, the trail leaves from Road 21S99 winding down, crossing Freeman Creek and paralleling it most of the time. It passes through the Freeman Creek Giant Sequoia grove. This trail is open to hikers and horses. Fishing in Freeman Creek at Lloyd Meadow is normally good.

Silver Knapsack Trail
Tule River Ranger District

General Description
The hike is located in Sequoia National Forest and the Southernmost area of Sequoia National Park. The trail is circular, beginning at the Summit trailhead and ending at Clicks Creek trailhead. It is approximately 40 miles in length, and offers a six day hike, one of which is a lay over day. The map pertaining to this trail is the Golden Trout Wilderness Map.

Areas of interest along the trail include seven lakes, with fishing and swimming at most of them, as well as the Little Kern River. Check with the Dept. of Fish & Game on regulations concerning special fishing restrictions in the Golden Trout Wilderness. The trail for the most part is above 7,000 feet, and provides magnificent views of the surrounding forests. It is recommended that drinking water be purified.

The day begins with a drive to the Summit Trailhead over a good dirt road. A large parking area is provided at the Summit Trailhead. Road Junctions are well marked.

The first day will be moderate, and is splendidly shaded. It will probably involve about 3-4 hours in hiking time. Camping is possible at all of the meadows and creeks listed above. Each site will hold 1 group without problem. However, the best camping is at Alpine Meadow. There is adequate room for 4 or 5 groups, and plenty of water and wood.

Just before switching back down into Jacobson Meadow, the trail runs along a narrow ridge. From the Pinnacle you can view the San Joaquin Valley to the west and the Western Divide to the east. Over the years, this spot has become known as"Inspirational Point."

Second Hiking Day - 6.4 Miles
Alpine Meadow to Maggie Lakes - 6.4 miles.

The Trail from Alpine Meadow to the cut off down to Maggie Lakes is fairly steep. From there the hiker descends down a steep and rocky trail. At the bottom of the small canyon, the hiker enters a large campsite. A group may camp there if it wishes. The final stretch of trail to Maggie Lakes is steep.

Maggie Lakes offers fishing and swimming. There is a trail up to Maggie Mountain from the upper lake. This is a good lay over spot.

Third Hiking Day - 9.5 Miles
Maggie Lakes to Frog Lakes -1.0 miles
Frog Lakes to Twin Lakes - 1.2 miles
Twin Lakes to National Park Entrance - 1.0 miles
National Park Entrance to Summit Lake -1.1 miles (Optional)
National Park Entrance to Windy Gap - 3.1 miles
Windy Gap to Quinn Horse Cabin - 2.2 miles
Quinn Horse Cabin to Soda Spring Creek - 1.0 mile

The trail to Frog Lakes leaves by the upper end of the lower Maggie Lake. The hiking from Twin Lakes is moderate. It then climbs steeply at Sheep Mountain. At the top is the entrance to Sequoia National Park. The trail down to Summit Lake is hard, and the climb out is equally difficult. The trail to Windy Gap is very smooth, but may be snow covered during the early part of the season. From there the hiker drops swiftly to Quinn Snow Survey Cabin and continues on down the canyon for about a mile. The hiker then crosses Soda Spring Creek and enters a large site. It sits right above some natural soda springs. This site will hold about 3 groups.

Fourth Hiking Day - 7.5 Miles
Soda Spring Creek to Walker Campsite - 2.8 miles
Walker Campsite to Little Kern River - 4.7 miles.

From the Soda Springs the hiker ascends by switchbacks out of the canyon. The trail from the top of the ridge to the Little Kern River goes downhill and is very steep in some places Walkers campsite is where the old Walker cabin used to be. The campsite on the Little Kern is just across tine river from where the trail and Mountaineer Creek meet. This site is very large and has enough room for six or seven groups. Firewood my be difficult to find. Swimming and fishing are possible.

Fifth Hiking Day- 8.1 Miles
Little Kern River to Grey Meadow - 2.1 miles
Grey Meadow to Clicks Creek Meadow -1.6 miles
Clicks Creek Meadow to Clicks Creek Trailhead -4.4 miles.

The trail from the Little Kern to Grey Meadow is steep, and from Grey Meadow the trail climbs very steeply up Clicks Creek Canyon. Grey Meadow is a large meadow with a ranger station. There is enough room for 5 or 6 groups. Along the trail there is a small secluded site next to Clicks Creek. It offers an abundance of wood and water. This will be one of the roughest parts of the hike.

The trail climbs one last ridge and descends gently down to Clicks Creek Trailhead, ending the hike. Clicks Creek Trailhead and Summit Trailhead are separated by about 4 miles. You may want to have a car waiting at the Clicks Trailhead, if you don't wish to hike the additional 4 miles to Summit Trail head.

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