Tag Archives: highcountry

Kings River California

Kings River California
Sierra Nevada
Kings Canyon National Park

snow

Kings River is the longest river in the Sierra Nevada mountains, spanning a 70+ miles of terrain from edge of the Eastern Sierra to the western Sierra foothill reservoirs, and down to the agricultural San Joaquin Valley @ Fresno, CA

Classification/Mileage:
Wild — 65.5 miles
Recreational — 15.5 miles
Total — 81.0 miles

Parks & Forests along Kings River:

Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia National Forest
Sierra National Forest

The 272-mile long Kings River drops sharply in elevation from its headwaters high in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range on its way to the Central Valley, flowing just south-east of Fresno. The dramatic descent generates electric power for dams and the river also helps irrigate cropland and provides fresh water to Central Valley communities.

fish

Sierra Nevada / Central California

Kings is the mighty river of the whole Sierra Nevada mountain range. Deep granite gorge, wild and dangerous, longest running river with abundant waterfalls, tributaries and runs along side a giant cavern too. The giant, rocky canyon for this big river is so impressive, that the created a National Park around it. Hence the name, Kings Canyon!

The snow melt starts way up in the high elevation back country near the tiny alpine lakes at Kearsarge Pass and the tallest peaks of Mount Whitney. The Kings River passes thru Kings Canyon National Park and spills out into the large Pine Flat Reservoir, on the western edge of the wilderness. The river continues down to the great California Central Valley to sloughs & irrigation canals for the big agriculture crops, which feed the world.

Views of High Sierra Lakes

hiker

Kings River Recreation

  • backpacking

  • beaches

  • boating

  • canyons

  • car camping

  • creeks

  • forests

  • fishing

  • hiking

  • kayaking

  • rafting

  • reservoirs

  • RV camping

  • swimming

  • tubing

  • waterfalls

  • wildflowers

camp

Kings River Camping & Campgrounds

  • National Park Campgrounds
  • National Forest Campgrounds 
  • Dispersed Camping along Kings River
  • Pine Flat Lake Campgrounds
  • RV Parks near Kings River

Developed Campsite @ Kings River Recreation Area

Creeks & Lakes near Kings River:

Big Pine Creek / Sierra Road #9
Blackrock Reservoir
Black Rock Road #11S12
Courtright Lake
Gardiner Lakes (highcountry)
Pine Flat Reservoir (aka Sanger, CA and Trimmer Springs)
Wishon Lake

fish

see all Central Valley Reservoirs

Still Pond

Additional resources for Kings River:

Kings River Watershed

USDA Kings Wild and Scenic River

NPSplaque

Kings Canyon National Park:

Kings Canyon Visitor Center
(Grant Grove, on Highway 180)
559-565-4307

Cedar Grove Visitor Center
(summers only, end of Hwy 180)
559-565-3793

NFS Sequoia National Forest 
(south side of river)
Hume Lake Ranger District
559-338-2251

NFS Sierra National Forest
(north side of river)
High Sierra Ranger District
559-855-5355

ranger

towns along Kings River:

canoe

rivers.govKings River Online Topo Map

KINGS CANYON AREA MAPS:

 

Sequoia Kings Trail Map

Kings Canyon High Country Trail Map

Sequoia National Forest Map

Sierra National Forest Map

Pine Flat Reservoir

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Headwaters to the Kings:
features along the river, listed by fork

South Fork Kings River

South Fork is the most accessible part of the river inside the National Park. Well known and deepest part of the granite Kings Canyon, where Highway 180 dead ends

Although the South Fork waters begin as snow melt on top of the Inyo peaks of the High Sierra. About 20 miles NE of Cedar Grove (as the crow flies) and 33 miles by foot / trail

Mount Prater
Split Mountain
PCT @ John Muir Wilderness
Cardinal Lake
Bench Lake
Vennacher Needle
Mount Ruskin
Mannon Peak
State Peak
Arrow Peak
Dougherty Peak
Kid Creek
Arrow Creek
Kid Peak
Gardiner Creek
Glacier Creek
Glacier Monument
Bubbs Creek
Avalanche Creek
Mist Falls
Buck Peak
Bailey Bridge (footbridge)
Kanawyers
Zumwalt Meadows Trailhead
Granite Creek
Paved Loop Parking Lot
Highway 180
Roaring River Falls
Cedar Grove  (NPS campgrounds)
Cedar Grove Overlook
Avalanch Peak
Hotel Creek
Lewis Creek
Deer Cove Creek
Grizzly Creek
Boulder Creek
Windy Gulch Cascade
Boyden Cavern
Lockwood Creek

>> JCT w/ MID FORK <<<<

Middle Fork Kings River

Middle Fork begins at the alpine levels near
Helen Lake the Pacific Crest Trail
Langille Peak
Meadows near Dusy Basin Trail junction
The Citadel
Palisade Creek
Rambaud Creek
Cartridge Creek
Great Cliffs
Goddard Creek
Horseshoe Creek
Simpson Meadow
Ranger Station (backcountry)
Dougherty Creek
Slide Creek
Dog Creek
Alpine Creek
Blue Canyon (4600′ elev)
Crystal Creek
Painted Rock
Gorge of Despiar
Tehipite Switchbacks
Silver Creek
Monacrch Wilderness
Wren Creek
Tombstone Creek
Brush Canyon
Deer Canyon

>> JCT w/ South Fork <<<<

kings canyon 1992
Kings Canyon 1992

Highway 180 has a paved viewpoint overlook for this impressive, deep granite gorge with rivers intersecting. At this confluence of the Middle & South fork, we pick up with notable spots heading west.

Tenmile Creek
Rough Creek
Garlic Meadow Creek
Kings River NRT
Spring Creek
Converse Creek
Fox Canyon 1500′ elev
Verplank Creek
Garnet Dike
Mill Flat Creek
Trimmer Springs Road
Mill Flat Campground

>> JCT w/ North Fork <<<<

Bailey Bridge (steel road bridge)
Black Road Road #11S12 (Fresno Vomac Rd)
Pine Flat Reservoir
Big Creek / Sierra NF. Road #9

North Fork Kings River

Helms Creek connects Courtright Reservoir to Wishon. However, the official North Fork of Kings River begins below Wishon Reservoir and its gigantic granite gorge.
Rancheria Creek
Teakettle Creek
Mule Creek
Black Rock Reservoir
Patterson Creek
Basin Creek
Dinkey Creek

boatramp

San Joaquin River California

Light Rain on San Joaquin

San Joaquin River, Sierra Nevada

Edison Lake, Florence Lake, Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake
Kaiser Wilderness, Sierra National Forest

2021 – MUCH OF THIS RIVER may be INACCESSIBLE,
due to the Creek Fire 2020

The San Joaquin watershed begins way up in the High Sierra, Ansel Adams Wilderness to be exact. Eastern Sierra ranges, up behind Mammoth Mountain peaks called The Minarets, the snow drains westward. Far from the San Joaquin Valley, way above Fresno, CA

Green Bridge San Joaquin
Green Metal Bridge @ San Joaquin River

Sierra National Forest Map USDA

  • backpack
  • camp
  • canoe
  • fish
  • hike
  • horseback
  • hot springs
  • kayak
  • mountain bike
  • off-road
  • picnic
  • snow-mobile
  • stargaze
  • waterfalls
  • wildflowers
Florence Lake
Florence Lake

Sierra Forest Road #80 is Kaiser Pass Rd. Starting next to China Peak Ski Resort (formerly Sierra Summit) Take the right turn, near Huntington Lake. Kaiser Pass Road is a paved back country road climbing steeply up into the high country.

Sierra Nevada / Central California

Forests along San Joaquin River:pinetree

Sierra National Forest
Dinkey Lakes Wilderness
Kaiser Wilderness
Ansel Adams Wilderness
John Muir Wilderness

Lakes & Hot Springs along San Joaquin River:boatramp

Florence Lake
Ward Lake
Edison Lake
Mammoth Pool Reservoir
Mono Hot Springs
Redinger Lake
Kerckhoff Lake
Milleron Lake SRA

Campgrounds along San Joaquin River:camp

(Florence Lake)
Jackass Meadow Campground
Ward Lake Campground

Mono Hot Springs Campground

(Edison Lake)
Mono Creek Campground
Vermillion Campground

(Kerckhoff Lake)
Smalley Cove Campground

Mammoth Pool Campground
Sweetwater Campground
Rock Creek Campground
Redinger Campground

Milleron Lake State Recreation Area

Towns near San Joaquin River:ranger

Bass Lake, CA
Fresno, CA
Clovis, CA
North Fork, CA
Shaver Lake, CA
Huntington Lake, CA
Friant, CA
Auberry, CA
Prather, CA
Alder Springs, CA

USFS

Sierra National Forest Headquarters
1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93611
559-297-0706

snowtree2
Serious, big snow country

snowWINTER ACCESS: Kaiser Pass is one of the few areas to enjoy snowmobiling trails and hot spring soaking. The distance to the springs is about 25 miles, one way and requires either cross country skis, snow shoes or snow mobile to reach.

windshldview
Snow Mobile Trails (January-April)
Rentals @ Rancheria
Rentals @ Rancheria

snowmoSNO MO RENTALS: Snow depth is usually best after the first of the year and last through April. The round trip hot springs (self-guided) excursion can be done w/ a half day rental, but only if you follow some guidelines: Reserve machine @ Rancheria Enterprises, way ahead of time;  Pack a lunch and snacks. Arrive early, gear up, get instructions and have a topo map; Be on the trail and traveling, not stopping on side routes, or play in the meadow or sightsee.

Narrow route continues on passing the meadow and goes for many miles. Trail traverses some steep terrain, with curves and cliffs, especially coming down hill to the river & green metal bridge. Parking spot is before bridge on left side. Hike a short distance, across marshy hillside to reach the 2 primitive hot tubs.

pano5
Panoramic Views
pools
Hot tubs @ Mono Hot Springs, 2001
SJoaqriver
River, right next to hot springs.

hiker

Sierra National Forest Map USDA
Sierra National Forest Map USDA
john muir maps
John Muir Trail Maps
kaiser
Kaiser Wilderness Map