Mount Whitney, California

Top Spots in and near Mount Whitney

  • Three Rivers, California

    Backpack in Mineral King

    5.0
    30 mi
    The trailhead is right near the Mineral King Ranger Station (on Mineral King Rd) in Sequoia National Park. Depending on where you're coming from I would recommend driving in and camping at Cold Springs Campground (which is also in close proximity to the ranger station) the night before you begin ...
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  • Three Rivers, California

    Backpack to Franklin Lakes & Franklin Pass

    11.4 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Franklin Lakes is part of the Sequoia National Park and can be reached from the trailhead starting near the Mineral King Ranger Station. Bear containers are required and can be rented at the Ranger Station. The hike to Franklin Lakes campground will take 6 hours or less (depending on your speed/h...
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  • Sierra, California

    Rae Lakes Loop

    5.0
    39.08 mi / 7316 ft gain
    Day one: After checking in with the park ranger and getting your required permits you will start your hike along a 1.8 mile stretch along the south fork of the Kings River. At this point, people typically go clockwise toward Paradise Valley but you can also go counterclockwise along Bubbs Creek. ...
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  • Sierra, California

    Mist Falls

    4.7
    7.91 mi / 915 ft gain
    The trailhead starts at Roads' End (the end of Hwy 180). Take the Bubbs Creek/Kanawyer Loop Trail and hike east. For the first three miles the trail is relatively flat through an open pine forest. Make sure to look up as there are some great views of the valley. The granite walls on both sides of...
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  • Fresno County, California

    Zumwalt Meadow and Roaring River Falls

    4.5
    4.29 mi / 476 ft gain
    The Zumwalt Meadow and Roaring River Falls Trail is a 4.1 mile hike in Kings Canyon National Park. You feel remote, even with a road nearby. The minimal elevation change makes this a scenic hike for all skill levels. Bring bug spray and wear long sleeve hiking clothing in August, as the bugs are ...
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  • Tulare County, California

    Tokopah Falls

    4.2
    3.77 mi / 617 ft gain
    This hike starts from the Lodgepole area of Sequoia National Park. Parking is easy at the easternmost end of the paved road prior to entering the campground. From the south side, the trail starts off by crossing the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River to the north side. It then loosely follows the r...
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  • Sequoia National Park, California

    Mount Silliman

    5.0
    11.24 mi / 4449 ft gain
    There is available parking at the campgrounds at the Lodgepole Visitor Center. Lodgepole's elevation starts at 6720 ft. Twin Lakes Trailhead starts right at the base, which you will be following to get to Mount Silliman. Along Twin Lakes Trail are several campgrounds for your journey, you can go...
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  • Sequoia National Park, California

    Hike to Emerald Lake, Sequoia National Park

    4.5
    10.4 mi / 2200 ft gain
    Begin this hike at the Alta Peak Trailhead in the Sequoia National Park. The trail initially takes you east-southeast through a loosely forested area that is stark and arid. Around 1.5 miles in you'll cross a small creek, but this creek may dry up in the late spring/summer. Shortly after the cree...
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  • Sequoia National Park, California

    Backpack to Big Bird Lake & Moose Lake

    30 mi / 8000 ft gain
    This trip requires a wilderness permit. You can get one at the Lodgepole Visitor Center where you can also rent a bear canister or use the bathroom before heading out.Wolverton Trailhead -> Big Bird Lake (~12 miles)The start of the trail is on the left side of the parking lot and towards the m...
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  • Tulare County, California

    Pear Lake via the Lakes Trail

    5.0
    12.04 mi / 3346.46 ft gain
    The Lakes Trail to Pear Lake can be done as either an overnight stay or a day hike.  For overnight, you'll need to get a permit but there are beautiful camping spots available at both Emerald Lake and Pear Lake.  As a day hike, plan to spend all day since you'll undoubtedly pause at each lake for...
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  • Big Pine, California

    Backpack Atop Sawmill Pass

    20 mi / 6700 ft gain
    At 11,347 ft., Sawmill Pass lies on the Sierra Crest and enters Kings Canyon National Park in the Woods Creek area. Both the John Muir Trail (JMT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) can be accessed through this pass. The Sawmill Pass trail is a steep and arduous climb, gaining over 6700 feet of e...
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  • Tulare County, California

    High Sierra Trail

    5.0
    72.92 mi / 19985.56 ft gain
    The High Sierra Trail begins at Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park, on the West side of the Sierra Nevada range, and ends at Whitney Portal on the East, traversing the highest and most beautiful part of the Sierras. From deep river canyons to high alpine peaks, lakes, and meadows, this hike...
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  • Sequoia National Park, California

    Congress Trail

    5.0
    2.89 mi / 758 ft gain
    While the General Sherman Tree is the main attraction in this area, the Congress Trail allows you to get away from the majority of the crowd and explore the giant sequoias at your leisure. The vast majority of visitors only walk to and from the General Sherman Tree. The trail starts out from the...
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  • Tulare County, California

    Crescent Meadow Loop

    4.5
    1.83 mi / 404.86 ft gain
    Crescent Meadow is a collection of loops in the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. The trailhead is located just past the tunnel log east of General's Highway 198. The main loop is 1.6mi total. However you can take any of the loops to the General Sherman tree 3mi, Tharp's Log trail 0.5mi, or ...
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  • Kings Canyon National Park, California

    Lookout Peak via Don Cecil Trail

    11.05 mi / 3865 ft gain
    You'll want an early start to this hike so consider camping in the park the night before. If you enter the park via CA-180 and follow it for a ways (passing Kings Canyon Visitor Center, Kings Canyon Lodge, and eventually the Cedar Grove Visitor Center) you'll come up to two campsites on the left-...
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  • Sequoia National Park, California

    Drive through Tunnel Log

    4.0
    Tunnel log is a massive fallen sequoia across the middle of the road, which is a great photo opportunity for visitors of the national park. The mammoth tree fell over in 1937, but a year later, a car tunnel was carved in the middle of its trunk so vehicles could still pass through. Although the...
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