South Sierra Wilderness

Located in the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests in California.

The 82,300-acre South Sierra Wilderness straddles the Sierra Nevada Crest at the southern end of the range. The terrain is steep and dissected, but includes parts of the large Monache/Beck Meadow complexes. The relatively gentle terrain on the Sequoia National Forest side of the wilderness is ideally suited to family oriented recreation. The more adventurous can frequent the area along the Sierra Crest in the Inyo National forest. The South Fork of the Kern and a few other perennial streams cross the area, but most streams are intermittent and much of the area is arid. The vegetation of the east side of the wilderness is mainly pinyon juniper with mixed pine at high elevations. Varying mixtures of lodgepole, Jeffrey pine, and red and white fir are found on the west side. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses from north to south. Elevations within the wilderness range from 6,100 feet near Kennedy Meadows to 12,123 feet at Olancha Peak.

East side access is via Nine Mile Canyon Road (J41) from US Hwy. 395 to Kennedy Meadows Road. From the west, access is from Sherman Pass. At Blackrock Station, forest roads will take you to the Albanita, Broder and Lost Meadows. The Monache Meadow area also has trails on South Sierra from the North. Trails extend 30 miles for horses and hikers including the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT). The trails leading out of Kennedy Meadows Campground into the South Sierra use the PCT and Wildrose Trail (36E01).

Wilderness permits are not required, but campfire permits are required.

For further information contact: Mount Whitney Ranger District, Inyo National Forest or Cannell Meadow Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest