Map of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Hiking Trails

Kyoto: Hiking from Kibune to Kurama

advertisement

Here's an overview of some trail highlights. Trail numbers are keyed to the map above...

1. Woods Creek Trail - This popular, 45-mile loop trail has a lot of wows—Mist Falls, Paradise Valley, Rae Lakes. Rae Lakes is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the Sierra. This moderate trail climbs from 5,000' to 10,700'.

2. Copper Creek Trail - A seven-mile-long trail that climbs a breathtaking 2,800 feet. This trail has switchbacks and steep climbing to the northern part of the Kings Canyon backcountry. You'll be treated to wonderful views of Kings Canyon, Zumwalt Meadow, and Bubbs Creek Canyon.

3. Cedar Grove Dayhikes - This area is dayhikers' central. Popular trails here include Zuwalt Meadow, Don Cecil, Hotel Creek, and Mist Falls. See our Cedar Grove day hikes page for more details.

4. Twin Lakes Trail - Heading out from the old Lodgepole facility, this exquisite trail extends through the forest to Silliman Pass, then past the boundary of the National Park. This is a particularly good trail for observing wildlife, but strenuous, with a 2,700' gain in altitude over 6.8 miles.

5. High Sierra Trail - This is an epic trail that leads through canyons and over passes before hooking up with the John Muir Trail to ascend Mount Whitney—an adventurous alternative to the PCT for those scouting around for a multi-day backpack. See our High Sierra Trail page for more details. Also, if you're looking for a good hiking circuit through the High Sierra, check out this trail loop.

6. The Tar Gap Trail and the 7. Atwell-Hockett Trail both explore the country south of Atwell Mill and Mineral King. They're both rated easy to moderate, and you may run into more horses than you'd care for, but if you can overlook that, you'll be treated to Sequoia groves and lush mountain meadows. The views are especially nice along the Tar Gap.

8. Redwood Mountain Loop is a moderate, 6.25-mile hike through one of the park's least visited grove of big trees. The trailhead is down a dusty dirt road, which weeds out all but the determined few.

9. Alta Peak Trail is a strenuous 12.6-mile round-trip day hike or backpack in Sequoia National Park leading to a superb alpine vista point on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Though strenuous, this is one of the most accessible peaks in the Sierra range.

10. Onion Valley to Whitney Portal is a rigorous 46-mile point-to-point backpack of one week or longer for experienced hikers, featuring far-reaching vistas, vast alpine terrain, and excellent fishing amid awe-inspiring surroundings in the John Muir Wilderness, and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.

See Sequoia/Kings Canyon hiking page for descriptions of numbered trails.