Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Mike White
in Trip 3 and ending at the South Fork Trailhead.
ATWELL MILL TRAILHEAD
TRIP 6
Paradise Peak
DISTANCE: 10 miles, out-and-back
ELEVATION: 6,600′/9,362′, +2,990′/-185′/±6,350′
SEASON: Mid-June to late October
USE: Light
MAP: Silver City
INTRODUCTION: You won’t have to fight the crowds here, as only a few hardy souls undertake the steep ascent to Paradise Peak. However, this climb up a south-facing slope to a superb view from the site of a former lookout isn’t as difficult as it seems. Giant sequoias in Atwell Grove, some of which are among the largest in existence, provide an added bonus.
DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD: From the east end of Three Rivers, leave Highway 198 and turn onto Mineral King Road. Follow the road for 8 miles to the Atwell Mill Campground entrance and then continue another 0.2 mile to the signed trailhead parking area, which has a bear box, at the east end of the campground.
DESCRIPTION: From the parking area, head back down Mineral King Road for a quarter mile to the signed trailhead, where single-track tread begins a moderate climb through a mixed forest of white firs, ponderosa and sugar pines, incense cedars, and young sequoias with an understory of mountain misery and manzanita. Soon a series of switchbacks leads farther up the slope. Medium-size sequoias begin to appear just past an opening in the forest and right before the crossing of a small fern- and alder-lined seasonal rivulet. Progressing up the hillside, you’ll eventually see even larger sequoias, a few of which are some of the largest 20 to 30 specimens in the Sierra.
The Great Western Divide from Paradise Peak Trail
More zigzagging switchbacks lead up the hillside toward Atwell Creek—contrary to the trail route shown on the USGS map. If you need water, you’ll have to thrash your way through thick brush to reach the creek, which is the only source along the entire route. Continue the switchbacking climb away from the creek to the crest of Paradise Ridge and a trail junction, 3.8 miles from the parking lot.
Amid a light forest of red firs and widely scattered patches of snowbush, chinquapin, and manzanita, the route to Paradise Peak turns west and follows gently graded tread along the ridge, a welcome change. After passing north of Peak 8863, watchful eyes may spot the crown of a sequoia growing at a higher elevation (8,800 feet) than any other, down-slope to the southeast. Continue along the ridge toward the summit over rocky terrain, where the tread falters a bit—watch for cairns or simply scramble over the rocks to the high point. The summit has a grand view to the east of the Great Western Divide and to the north of Castle Rocks and the granite domes of Big Baldy and Little Baldy.
To complete the experience, from the site of the old lookout, work your way through brush and around boulders to the base of the rock at the far end of the ridge, climb some rock steps, and then scramble up a short crack to the top. While trees block the view of the Great Western Divide, the vista to the west is quite impressive, including a glimpse straight down the canyon of Paradise Creek to Middle Fork Kaweah River. Additional points of interest include Moro Rock, Alta Peak, and the Generals Highway. You can see the Hockett Plateau clearly to the south.
MINERAL KING TRAILHEAD
TRIP 7
Cold Springs Trail
DISTANCE: 1.2 miles, point-to-point
ELEVATION: 7,480′/7,810′, +350′/-20′/±740′
SEASON: Late May through October
USE: Moderate
MAPS: USGS’s Mineral King or SNHA’s Mineral King
INTRODUCTION: Most trails emanating from Mineral King climb steeply out of the valley. A rare exception, the Cold Springs Trail gently ascends along the East Fork Kaweah River between Cold Springs Campground and the Eagle-Mosquito Trailhead. Diehard backcountry types won’t find the short trail very challenging, but the path is well suited for a family outing or an easy afternoon stroll. The scenery of Mineral King is always rewarding, and the short nature trail loop is an informative way to get acquainted with the ecology and history of the area.
DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD:
START: From the east end of Three Rivers, leave Highway 198 and turn onto Mineral King Road. Follow the road for 22 miles to the Cold Springs Campground entrance, 2.5 miles past Silver City. Cross a bridge over East Fork Kaweah River and turn left at the first intersection. Travel 0.1 mile to the small parking area near Campsite 6.
END: Continue past the Cold Springs Campground entrance another 1.2 miles, passing the ranger station on the way, to the Eagle-Mosquito Trailhead parking area at the end of the road.
DESCRIPTION: From the trailhead, head upstream along the south bank of East Fork Kaweah River on gently graded tread, crossing a grassland dotted with aspens, cottonwoods, and a plethora of wildflowers in early summer. Reach a junction with the Cold Springs Nature Trail about 0.1 mile from the campground. The nature trail has interpretive signposts with pertinent information about the flora, geology, and mining history of Mineral King. The nature trail shortly loops back to the main trail.
The Cold Springs Trail continues upstream from the nature trail, passing delightful ponds and tumbling cascades well suited for wading and fishing. Farther on, switchbacks lead away from the river and into a stand of red firs. Beyond the trees, you emerge onto sagebrush-covered slopes, cross a number of side streams on wood bridges, and then descend rock steps to the final stretch of trail, passing several old cabins on the way to the Eagle-Mosquito Trailhead.
MINERAL KING TRAILHEAD
TRIP 8
Mosquito Lakes
DISTANCE: 6.5 miles, out-and-back
ELEVATION: 7,815′/9,585′, +2,135′/-375′/±5,020′
SEASON: Early July to mid-October
USE: Moderate
MAPS: USGS’s Mineral King or SNHA’s Mineral King
TRAIL LOG
1.0 White Chief Canyon Trail junction
1.75 Eagle Lake Trail junction
3.25 Mosquito