Lightning Trail (Maple Camp)

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Permits and bear canisters are required for overnight stays in the King Range Wilderness. Permits can be obtained at recreation.gov.

This secondary route for Lightning Trail starts at a signed junction and climbs easily under the trees before dropping to the creek. Multiple camp sites line the trail for about a quarter mile making up Maple Camp. Water can usually be found coming to the surface near the uppermost camp site and, when flow is low, vanishing again around the lowest camp sites.

The trail crosses the creek near the upper camp site and climbs more steeply to chaparral at the ridge. A little more climbing brings it to the King Crest Trail (South: King Peak to Saddle Mountain Trailhead). Turn right to complete the climb to the peak.