Part 5 (2/2)

KERN RIVER CANYON

From Giant Forest the Kern is best reached by way of the High Sierra Trail to Hamilton Lake or Big Arroyo, first day; Moraine Lake or Funston Meadow in Kern Canyon, second day.

From Mineral King to the Kern there are several alternative routes, and the trip may be made by way of Franklin Pa.s.s and Rattlesnake Creek in 1 long day; or Franklin Pa.s.s and Soda Creek; or by Farewell Gap, Rifle Creek, and Coyote Pa.s.s. It is 1 long day or 2 easy days from Mineral King to the Kern by either Franklin or Coyote Pa.s.ses.

KERN RIVER CANYON TO KINGS RIVER CANYON

The trail generally used in the past between these canyons is not shown on the United States Geological Survey topographic map, but pa.s.sed through Shepherd and Junction Pa.s.ses east of Junction Peak to the headwaters of the Kings at Center Basin. This has been replaced by a new trail direct from Tyndall Creek to Center Basin, pa.s.sing just west of Junction Peak over Foresters Pa.s.s. It is known as the John Muir Trail Cut-off. In addition to this route, there is a rough but pa.s.sable trail from Junction Meadow, near the head of the Kern Canyon, via the Kern-Kaweah River and Colby Pa.s.s to Cloud Canyon and the Roaring River section of the Kings.

KINGS RIVER CANYON

At an elevation of 6,600 feet, General Grant National Park and places nearby at Hume and Big Meadow are points of departure for the Kings Canyon, Sugarloaf, and Roaring River areas. The most direct routes to these areas are from this park. Good hotel and camping facilities, post office, stores, telephone, and telegraph, repair shops, etc., are located in General Grant National Park.

From the Kings Canyon main trails lead out as follows: Up Copper Creek and via Granite Basin to Simpson Meadow (and down the Middle Fork to Tehipite Valley and Dome), north from Simpson Meadow to John Muir Trail, and over Muir Pa.s.s via LeConte Canyon to Yosemite; up Paradise Valley to Woods Creek and John Muir Trail over Pinchot Pa.s.s to the upper basin of the South Fork of the Kings River; up Bubbs Creek to intersection with John Muir Trail, or over Kearsarge Pa.s.s to the Owens Valley, or via Center Basin, Junction, and Shepherd Pa.s.ses to the Kern Canyon.

SUGARLOAF AND ROARING RIVER

This fine scenic area is covered from Giant Forest via J. O. Pa.s.s or Silliman Pa.s.s entrances to the park, Rowell Meadow, Sugarloaf Meadow, Scaffold Meadow, up Deadman Canyon to Elizabeth Pa.s.s, to Bearpaw Meadow, and to Giant Forest.

THE JOHN MUIR TRAIL

The John Muir Trail from Mount Whitney, in the Sequoia National Park, to the Yosemite Valley, in the Yosemite Park, is not clearly defined for all of the way on existing maps, but information concerning it may be secured by writing to the superintendent.

MOUNT WHITNEY

From the Kern, Mount Whitney is reached either by the new Wallace Creek or Golden Trout Creek Trails. The Wallace Creek Trail leaves the Kern Canyon about a mile and a half north of the mouth of Junction Meadow.

The Golden Trout Trail leaves the lower end of the canyon near Kern Canyon Ranger Station. At Camp Lewis, near the Kern Canyon Station entrance to the park, is a small resort, with store and accommodations, and telephone communication.

An outpost tourist camp is maintained at Ibex Meadow on Lone Pine Creek, and a special 3-day round trip from Lone Pine to Mount Whitney and return is provided by a Lone Pine packing outfit. Arrangements have also been made by the same packer for an all-expense trip from Los Angeles and return. Lone Pine may be reached by automobile from the San Joaquin Valley at Bakersfield, or direct from Los Angeles through Mojave.

PERMITTED PACKERS

All packers expecting to conduct parties through the Sequoia National Park should obtain a permit from the superintendent. Parties may then be taken through the park, subject to the National Park Service rules and regulations. Business may only be solicited within the park by the Sequoia & General Grant National Parks Co. (Earl McKee, Three Rivers, Calif.).

ACCOMMODATIONS

The following is a general scale of rates for accommodations, subject to change upon approval by the Secretary of the Interior. A detailed schedule of rates may be procured upon application to the superintendent of the park, the Sequoia & General Grant National Parks Co., at the station upon entrance to the park, or travel bureaus.

American plan--Rate includes room and three meals.

European plan--Rate includes room only, with extra charge for meals as taken.

Housekeeping--Rate includes furnished cabin or bungalow tent room with equipment for preparation of meals by occupant.

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