Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks guide · 2 min read
Mineral King's Remote Valley Trails
Mineral King Valley is a subalpine valley lying outside the main boundaries of Sequoia National Park, in its southern section.
Pine, sequoia and fir fill the slopes, while the colorful granite and shale found elsewhere in the park are seen only at a distance. No road crosses the parks from west to east, so plan on a full day for a visit.
Reaching the valley means driving 28 miles from Three Rivers on the Mineral King Road. Expect a narrow, twisting route with unpaved stretches, and allow at least an hour for the trip. The road is open only in the warmer months, once snow has cleared. The park advises against bringing recreational vehicles or trailers. Former mining settlements line the way, with historic cabins still in view. Scenery shifts as you climb from chaparral and oak woodland to sequoia groves and alpine country. The road ends in the valley at roughly 7,800 feet.
Hiking here is strenuous at 7,500 feet, so plan your pace around the least fit person in your group. Carry your own water, since streams and lakes along the trails cannot be guaranteed safe. Timber Gap Trail follows a mining-era path beside Monarch Creek to a pass covered in red fir, which miners of the 1800s relied on as fuel and as braces for their mine shafts. From the gap, the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River lies to the north, and Alta Peak stands across the way. The hike is two miles one way from the Sawtooth Trail parking area.
At the Mineral King Ranger Station, you can get trail information, pick up a map, rent a bear canister and obtain a wilderness permit. Atwell Mill Campground offers a place to spend the night among sequoias. Backpacking trips are also possible, since backcountry permits cover many of the areas. Trails here feel secluded, but pets are barred from every trail in both parks.
