Mineral King Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

A classic loop out of Mineral King, this route takes you through Timber Gap, Black Rock Pass, Little and Big Five Lakes, Lost Canyon, and Sawtooth Pass. Expect diverse terrain—from granite cirques and lush meadows to alpine lakes, rugged passes, and scree-filled slopes. With plenty of steep ascents and descents, it's a challenging, adventurous, and incredibly scenic journey.

Wilderness Permit required for overnight trips. See the Sequoia & Kings Canyon wilderness permits page for information. Bear-proof storage is mandatory due to active black bear presence.

From the Timber Gap Trailhead, follow the trail to the left to Timber Gap. You'll start out your journey on the Timber Gap Trail, which you'll follow for the first few miles of the outing. Once you arrive at Timber Gap Creek and the junction of Blackrock Pass, take a right and follow the trail towards Blackrock Pass. If you decide partway through the route that the full distance is a bit much, you can bail out on the Sawtooth/Glacier Pass Class III Shortcut. This route is still plenty rugged, so it might stretch the definition of a "shortcut". If your plan is to complete the full loop, continue your journey to the pass. After a strenuous climb up to the top, you'll have earned sweeping views.

Shortly after reaching the pass, you'll come to an intersection with the Big Five Lakes - Buckhorn Pass Trail. Take the cutoff towards the lakes, and you'll be rewarded by the gorgeous waters known as Little 5 Lakes and Big 5 Lakes. Continue on the Big Five Lakes Trail to Buckhorn Pass, and veer right towards Columbine Lake and Sawtooth Pass at an intersection with the Lost Canyon Trail. A beautiful alpine lake and scramble await, before a slippery scree slope descent back to the trailhead from Sawtooth Pass on the Monarch Trail.

If you look up the Mineral King Loop, you'll find several variations with different mileages. The route described here is one of the shorter options, but the possibilities are endless. One of the best things about backpacking in SEKI is the flexibility to customize your route and create your own adventure.