Distance: 6.5 miles

My rating: moderate to hard

Beginning the hike.

When I first moved to California, I was hiking solo. I’d been choosing fairly popular trails, but I REALLY wanted to explore more of the backcountry.

I joined a local Meetup for hiking, and signed up for a hike out of an area I’d never heard of. Mineral King is part of Sequoia National Park, but is a Southern section that isn’t accessed by using the typical Generals Highway.

From the turnoff onto Mineral King Rd, it’s about another 24 slow miles on a winding and narrow road. I saw my first bear in the wild driving to this part of the park, and numerous deer, so keep your eyes peeled!

Park at the end of the road. There are a few pit toilets on the way, but none directly at the trailhead.

It’s a nice incline all the way to the lake, which is about 3.2 miles away. The first mile is fairly straight. Right after mile 1, make a sharp right turn, and continue up the hill.

View from the rocky traverse.

Just before 2 miles, you’ll come up on the Eagle Sinkhole. It’s pretty cool. Don’t fall in.

Eagle Lake

After the sinkholes, the trail is very exposed, a little steeper, and very rocky. Our group had to do a little trail searching in the section, but it’s overall self-explanatory. Just keep paying attention.

A few more switchbacks will take you to the lake! It’s essentially in a bowl surrounded by mountains – very scenic.
If you’re tired, the good news is the return hike is pretty much all downhill!

Our go-to food after hiking this area is the River View Restaurant in Three Rivers, assuming it’s not too late in the day.