Parka

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks hiking guide

Franklin Lakes Trail

An 11.6-mile out-and-back with 2,620 ft of climbing in Mineral King, rated difficult.

Franklin Lakes Trail, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Photo: HikingMike · CC BY 2.0

Key facts

Length
11.6 mi (18.6 km)
Elevation gain
2,620 ft (798 m)
Route type
Out and back
Difficulty
Difficult
Area
Mineral King
Highest point
10,436 ft
Lowest point
7,818 ft

About Franklin Lakes Trail

This trail ascends through a picturesque valley lined with willows, red firs, and junipers. It offers stunning views of the East Fork Kaweah River and culminates in a rugged basin surrounded by the imposing peaks of the Great Western Divide. Highlights include the vibrant mineral-stained slopes and the serene Lower Franklin Lake.

Route map

Route map of Franklin Lakes Trail in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks1 miN
Start and finishNorth is up. Drawn from the route in the Parka app.

This route was checked by Parka editors.

Elevation profile

Elevation profile of Franklin Lakes Trail8,0009,00010,0000510Distance (miles)Elevation (ft)High 10,436 ftLow 7,818 ft
Elevation runs from 7,818 ft to 10,436 ft over 11.4 miles of mapped route. The profile is sampled from elevation data along the route.

Nearby in Mineral King

Why Park Lovers Choose Parka

Trip Planner

All the tools for epic adventures

Works Offline

Fully functional without cell service

Updated Weekly

Trail conditions, alerts, and closures

Try Risk-Free

7-day free trial, cancel anytime

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial

Unlock everything you need for your next national park trip. Your first week is on us!

National Park vista

Start your adventure today

Download Parka and plan your perfect national park trip in minutes.

Explore All 63 National Parks

Browse parks by region and discover your next adventure