Mineral King: Black Rock Pass & Sawtooth Pass. We left from the Sawtooth Pass trailhead, which is 1/2 mile beyond the ranger station and 1/2 mile before the end of the road. The route travels 36.3 miles over Franklin Pass, Black Rock Pass, and Timber Gap totaling 12,140ft of gain. Mineral King, CA USGS 1:24K Topographic Map Preview: Click on map above to begin viewing in our Map Viewer. The adventure described below is an extended version of this traditional hike, which includes part of the famous scenery of the High Sierra Trail, while still maintaining the … Also camped at the middle of the Big Five Lakes, but the fishing there was much worse (I don't think we caught anything). Phone: (559) … Mineral King; Previous Next ... From Monarch Lake begin the slog up to Sawtooth Pass on the Monarch Trail. Where: Sequoia National Park, Mineral King Miles: 30 Elevation Gain/ Loss: 10,000 ft Time to complete: 3-5 days Trail Type: Loop Permits Required: YES Pets Allowed: NO Trailhead: Timber Gap/ Sawtooth Pass Itinerary & Trip Planning. I was also in the area two years ago, hiking a more southern loop CCW from Mineral King -> Franklin Pass -> Big Five Lakes -> Sawtooth Pass. Mailing Address: 47050 Generals Highway Three Rivers, CA 93271 . The traditional Mineral King Loop includes Pinto Lake, Black Rock Pass, Little 5 Lakes, Columbine Lake, and Sawtooth Pass. Lake 10040+, lost Canyon, Columbine lake, Sawtooth Pass, Sawtooth Peak, Monarch Lakes, Groundhog Meadow, Sawtooth Pass trailhead. Contact the Park. Ready to start our descent, we headed down the scree slope that lines the west face of Sawtooth Pass. Mineral King. At the parking lot, you may consider wrapping a tarp around the underside of your vehicle to ward off Mineral King’s large population of yellow-bellied marmots. When I hiked from Mineral King to Road's End, I recall that hike up Black Rock Pass as being a true slog. Monarch had fish, but I remember the camping opportunities to be exposed/crowded. Last updated: September 29, 2020. The trail begins from the Sawtooth Parking Lot on the north end of Mineral King Valley. Mineral King Eagle Lake Sawtooth Pass Timber Gap Cedar Grove Bubbs Creek Copper Creek Woods Creek. Within Sequoia National Park is Mineral King, the splendid mountain wilderness in which Earthjustice took its first steps. Stay left of the large sandy area of Sawtooth's approach and pick a route leading toward the top of the pass. The loop starts at the end of Mineral King Rd. This loop is not for the faint of heart. Wow, those colors. Once again, Mark took a chance to lie down while we enjoyed the views to the east, north, west, and south. More than forty years later, we are as committed as ever to the legacy that started there: Using the law to protect the wildlife and landscapes that shape our nation's character. After debating where to go, we chose Mineral King, primarily because none of us have ever been there before. The Mineral King Ranger Station opens at 7am on Saturdays which is convenient since you have to pick up the permit in person, even with a reservation. Liz, Henri and I decided that we should make a last trip before the 2001 backpacking season was over. Glacier Pass is the low area between Empire Mountain and Sawtooth Peak. I was feeling a little funky, and that whole side of the pass was fully shrouded in fog. It felt like the switchbacks would never end. at the the Sawtooth Trailhead in the Mineral King Valley of Sequoia National Park. 2001 backpacking season was over, the splendid Mountain wilderness in which Earthjustice took first. 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