Crosses the Great Western Divide twice, passes Precipice Lake, and rivals any route in the Sierra with a fraction of the people.
The big Mineral King loop, the one that includes a stretch of the High Sierra Trail and Precipice Lake, immortalized by Ansel Adams. This route crosses the Great Western Divide twice and visits some of the most remote and stunning terrain in Sequoia. It's demanding, with two major passes and sustained high elevation, but the reward is scenery that rivals anything in the Sierra with a fraction of the people.
Start: Sawtooth Trailhead (Mineral King)
End: Sawtooth Trailhead (Mineral King)
Water: Monarch Lakes (mid-route), Columbine Lake
Steep, unmaintained climb to Sawtooth Pass (11,800 ft). Stop at Monarch Lakes for water and lunch. Above the pass, follow cairns carefully — trail disappears in the scree.
Water: Creek water along Lost Canyon Trail, Big Five Lakes
Descend on the Lost Canyon Trail through lush terrain with reliable creek crossings. Camp on the NW shore of the first Big Five Lake.
Water: Little Five Lakes, streams, Precipice Lake
Big day on the High Sierra Trail to Kaweah Gap. Stop at Little Five Lakes for lunch, then pass through Nine Lakes Basin before the final climb to the gap. Precipice Lake is one of the most dramatic camps in the Sierra.
Water: Hamilton Creek, Hamilton Lakes, Eagle Scout Creek
Long descent on the High Sierra Trail. Hamilton Lakes is one of the best lunch stops on the route. Bear Paw Meadows campsite may be closed or dry — Eagle Scout Creek is reliable.
Water: Eagle Scout Creek (early), streams below Timber Gap
Fill water before the Timber Gap summit — dry above. Passes through the Redwood Meadow grove before the final descent to Mineral King.
Nine Lakes Basin exploration, Hamilton Lakes
Marmots chew on cars at Mineral King - wrap exposed wires/hoses; Sawtooth Pass is very steep scree; less crowded than Rae Lakes; a layover day at Precipice Lake to explore Nine Lakes Basin is highly recommended; fill water before Timber Gap summit on final day; Bear Paw Meadows campsite may be closed or dry — Eagle Scout Creek is reliable
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