Helpful Phone Numbers:

Sequoia National Park P.O. Box 789 Three Rivers, CA 93271 559/561-3341	Park Info 559/565-3134 government web site	Weather Info 559/565-3351	Wilderness Permits 559/565-3306
Wilderness office 559-565-3708	Mineral King 559-561-3411	Mineral King Entrance Station 559-565-3768	.

Horse Pack Trips are popular as well as Backpacking into the high Sierra

A spectacular alpine valley and miles of trails into the high Sierra. The road leading here has hundreds of curvy turns & takes over an hour to go the 25+ twisty miles. One lane road most of the way, you must be prepared for a tight squeeze on some parts & on coming traffic at all times.	be warned: local evil marmots can cause radiator hose damage. Come prepared. Mostly a nuisance in the Springtime.
< map click on map to enlarge

Mineral King Backpacking

This place is a back packers dream. Where else can you drive right up to the doorstep of 11,000-12,000 foot Sierra peaks & climb right up into alpine back country in just a few hours.

• fire permits are required
• permits are required for overnight back country camping
• check with the correct ranger district for all back country camping restrictions

Trail head parking spots located at:

• Monarch Lakes
• Franklin Lakes
• Tar Gap via Cold Springs Campground

 

Mineral King Campgrounds
click on campground name for photos & more descriptions

campground	elev.	spots	veg	toilet	water	fee		comments
Atwell Mill	6650'	23	pines	pit	piped	$10	7 mi. from Mineral King
Cold Springs	7500'	37	pines	pit	piped	$10	on river near Mineral King

Primitive Camping

The National Park does not allow dispersed car camping anywhere along the Mineral King Rd. Other remote camping options are to the south in the Sequoia National Forest. A small section in between Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks - located just next door, features Jennie Lakes & Monarch Wilderness.

Forest Service Rds.#

• 19S36 - The dirt roads from Sequoia National Forest, Mountain Home State Forest & Balch Park do not connect through the mountains (via Grouse Pk. / Case Mtn) through the western valleys due to private land communities with locked gates.
• Crunigan Creek Rd up to Milk Ranch Peak doesn't go very far. It is gated one mile up due to private property.

Mineral King Hiking

The majority of day hikes out of Mineral King tend to be moderately strenuous up & over passes into the high Sierra.
A nice meadow hike along creeks via Cold Springs campground.

FOOTBRIDGE HIKE: A great short day hike to Kaweah River bridge from Atwell Mill campground.

Crystal Lake: 10 miles RT; no maintained trail beyond Crystal Lake.

Franklin Lakes: 10.8 miles RT

Monarch Lakes: a long day hike/ one of the easier hikes in Mineral King valley. 8.4 miles RT

Timber Gap: 4 miles RT

White Chief Trail: 6 miles RT ; scenic hike up west side of Mineral King Valley.

Eagle / Mosquito Lakes: 11 miles RT; good fishing