Things You'll Need:
- Park Map
- Trail map
- Hiking shoes
- Hiking stick
- Backpack outfitted for wilderness camping
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Step 1
Walk the Lady Bug Trail. It's short and steep at 5.1 miles. There is a daily quota of 15 people, so register early. This is a great early season climb. See Sequoias and then on to meadows. This is a steady upward elevation, so be prepared. You will see giant sequoias and meadows. Watch for ticks, poison oak, rattlesnakes. This is not an overnight trail.Permits are issued from Mineral King Ranger Station.
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Step 2
Pack your backpack for this Atwell-Hockett Trail. Start from Atwell Mill Campground. You will find it an easy to moderate climb through giant sequoia groves, meadows. You will walk ten miles to Hockett Meadow. Look for your first campsite at Clover Creek, 6 miles into the hike. The daily quota is 25 people.
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Step 3
Hike the Tar Gap Trail from Cold Springs Campground. This is a moderate climb passing lakes, forests, alpine vistas. Walk twelve miles to Hockett Meadow. Your first campsite is at Deer Creek, four miles into your hike. The daily quota is 25 people.
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Step 4
Give the Mosquito/Mineral Trail a try. Start at Eagle/Mosquito Lakes trailhead for a moderately strenuous climb. See lakes and spectacular vistas. You may build no campfires. The first campsite is Mosquito Lake #2, four miles in. The daily quota is 25 people.
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Step 5
Attempt the Farewell Gap Trail starting at the Franklin Pass trailhead. This is a steep and strenuous climb with access to Sequoia National Forest trails. No campfires are allowed. The first campsite is four miles. No entry limit.
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Step 6
Take the Sawtooth Trail from Sawtooth trailhead. This is a steep and strenuous climb. You will find a rough, unmaintained trail beyond Monarch Lakes but see lakes, vistas, and have access to Glacier Pass, Big and Little Five Lakes. No campfires are allowed. The first campsite is at Groundhog meadow, one mile in. The daily quota is 20 people.
