Publisher Description

The southern High Sierra, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the surrounding John Muir, Jennie Lakes, and Monarch Wildernesses, is one of the most magnificent natural areas in the world. Blessed with the largest trees on Earth (giant sequoias), one of the deepest canyons in North America (Kings Canyon), and the highest mountain in the continental U.S. (Mt. Whitney), the greater Sequoia-Kings Canyon region offers unparalleled mountain majesty. Along with such superlatives, hundreds of miles of trails provides access to a boundless number of high mountain lakes, wildflower-covered meadows, cascading streams, deep forests, and craggy peaks. Mike White's Top Trails: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks guide presents the best curated selection of trips suitable for varied skill-level to this portion of John Muir's Range of Light.

Author Biography

Mike White was raised in the southeast suburbs of Portland, Oregon, in the shadow of Mount Hood (whenever the Pacific Northwest skies cleared enough to allow such things as shadows). As a teenager, Mike began hiking, backpacking, and climbing in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington, and he honed his outdoor skills while attending Seattle Pacific University. After acquiring a B.A. in political science, Mike and his new wife, Robin, relocated to the high desert of Reno, Nevada, from where he discovered the joys of exploring the Sierra Nevada. After leaving his last "real" job, Mike began a full-time writing career. He is the author or coauthor of 19 outdoor guides, including award-winning books Top Trails Lake Tahoe and 50 Classic Hikes in Nevada. Mike also has contributed to Sunset and Backpacker magazines and the Reno Gazette-Journal newspaper. A former community college instructor, Mike is also a popular featured speaker for outdoors groups.

Table of Contents

The Top Trails Series
Sequoia & Kings Canyon Trail Features Table
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Map
Sequoia & Kings Canyon Shuttle System Map
Sequoia Shuttle Bus System Map
Using Top Trails
Organization of Top Trails
Choosing a Trail
Introduction to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
On the Trail

Chapter 1: The Foothills
1. Putnam and Snowslide Canyons
2. Ladybug Trail
3. Potwisha Pictographs Loop
4. Marble Falls
5. Paradise Creek Trail
6. Middle Fork Trail to Panther Creek

Chapter 2: Mineral King
7. Paradise Peak
8. East Fork Grove
9. Cold Springs Trail
10. Mosquito Lakes
11. Eagle Lake
12. White Chief Bowl
13. Crystal Lake
14. Monarch Lakes

Chapter 3: Giant Forst and Lodgepole
15. Moro Rock
16. Huckleberry Meadow Loop
17. Bobcat Point Loop
18. High Sierra Trail to Eagle View and Panther Creek
19. Crescent Meadow and Log Meadow Loop
20. Trail of the Sequoias Loop
21. Hazelwood Nature Trail
22. Big Trees Trail
23. General Sherman Tree
24. Congress Trail
25. Alta Peak
26. Heather, Aster, Emerald, and Pear Lakes
27. Tokopah Falls
28. Twin Lakes
29. Little Baldy
30. Muir Grove

Chapter 4: Grant Grove and Redwood Mountain
31. Big Stump Grove
32. Sunset Loop Trail
33. General Grant Tree
34. North Grove Loop
35. Panoramic Point and Park Ridge Lookout
36. Big Baldy
37. Buena Vista Peak
38. Hart Tree Loop
39. Sugar Bowl Loop
40. Mitchell Peak

Chapter 5: Kings Canyon
41. Sheep Creek and Lookout Peak
42. Roaring River Falls
43. Zumwalt Meadow Nature Trail
44. Kanawyer Loop Trail
45. Mist Falls
46. Rae Lakes Loop
47. Hotel and Lewis Creeks Loop and Cedar Grove Overlook

Chapter 6: Eastern Sierra: Mount Whitney Ranger District
48. Chicken Spring Lake
49. Long and High Lakes
50. Cottonwood Lakes
51. Meysan Trail
52. Mount Whitney
53. Robinson Lake
54. Flower Lake and Kearsarge Lakes
55. Golden Trout Lakes

Chapter 7: Eastern Sierra: White Mountain Ranger District
56. Brainerd Lake
57. Big Pine Lakes
58. Long, Saddlerock, and Bishop Lakes
59. Chocolate Lakes Loop
60. Treasure Lakes
61. Tyee Lakes
62. Sabrina Basin Lakes
63. Lamarck Lakes
64. Piute Lake and Humphreys Basin

Appendix 1: Top-Rated Trails
Appendix 2: Campgrounds and RV Parks
Appendix 3: Hotels, Lodges, Motels, and Resorts
Appendix 4: Major Organizations
Appendix 5: Useful Books
Index
Author and Series Creator

Long Description

The southern High Sierra, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the surrounding John Muir, Jennie Lakes, and Monarch Wildernesses, is one of the most magnificent natural areas in the world. Blessed with the largest trees on Earth (giant sequoias), one of the deepest canyons in North America (Kings Canyon), and the highest mountain in the continental U.S. (Mt. Whitney), the greater Sequoia-Kings Canyon region offers unparalleled mountain majesty. Along with such superlatives, hundreds of miles of trails provides access to a boundless number of high mountain lakes, wildflower-covered meadows, cascading streams, deep forests, and craggy peaks. Mike White 's Top Trails: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks guide presents the best curated selection of trips suitable for varied skill-level to this portion of John Muir's Range of Light.

Excerpt from Book

Chapter 1: The Foothills Trail 1: Putnam and Snowslide Canyons Trail Use: Day Hike, Run, Horse Length: 6.8 miles, 3-4 hours Vertical Feet: +2690/-460/

Details