Tag Archives: NPS

river

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.gov – Kings 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

fish

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

mine

Panamint City California

panahills
Photo Credit © Lttlbddy Steve Gardiner

Panamint City, a super remote mining camp on the edge of Death Valley National Park

elevation: 7300′

(Not to be confused w/ Panamint Springs, CA which is NW, along the main Highway 190 on the west side of DVNPhiker

Panamint Valley, Death Valley NP
Inyo County, NE of Ridgecrest
East of Hwy 395, south of Hwy 190

Hard to reach ghost town / abandoned mining camp on the mountainous edge of Death Valley National Park. Access via dirt road and steep trail,  off the paved Trona Wildrose Road. Panamint Valley, west of Death Valley

best time to visit: November – April
Triple digit heat is common in the warmer months, so spring, autumn and winter time is best for this region, but beware of winter storms.snow

Snow is common on  the peaks, and at higher elevations (like this place) during winter (DEC-APRIL). If you see trees on the terrain – joshua trees or pinyon pines, that indicates that snow falls here often enough. Snow is possible around Death Valley, down to 3000′ elev. during coldest of winter storms.

Surprise Canyon Wilderness BLM – Desert mountains, steep rocky terrain w/ peaks and very few trees. Surprise Canyon can become a waterfall, during heavy desert rains. The canyon is the  only access up to reach this hidden town4x4

NO MORE 4×4
Hike or backpack up Surprise Canyon
No longer 4WD accessible .Gotta hike it on foot now. So get that fat ass outta the rig for some elevated heart rate (real exercise).

This desert destination used to be a very popular off-road trail, where Jeeps would wench and crawl up the narrow, rocky passage; but all that changed with a wilderness designation (1994)  and no longer are machines allowed in this specific canyon area. No vehicles (engines) and no mountain bikes. No wheeled anything.

Off-roading and free-wheelin is still allowed and abundant in neighboring canyons of Nadeau Road & Panamint Valley – Pleasant Canyon, South Park Canyon, Jailhouse Canyon, Goler Wash, Isham Canyon

stack
Smoke stack has collapsed in the recent past, so this structure is no longer standing. Photo Credit © Lttlbddy Steve Gardiner

DVNP Topo Map

area activities & links:

  • lookinN
    Looking north in a neighboring canyon

    Campgrounds nearby –

    Ballarat ghost town has a camper bathroom w/ showers and a fee to go along with that. Panamint Springs has a small motel and a big restaurant, plus a large campground (across the highway) which can accommodate tents, camper trailers and RVs.

    campDeath Valley National Park boundary means developed campgrounds are a few miles away up Wildrose Canyon.

     

  • Primitive Camping around Panamint Valley

    Boon-docking, dispersed, FREE, open camping is allowed almost anywhere in Panamint Valley and the neighboring desert canyons. Campfire permits are required and are available at BLM office in Ridgecrest. There is no firewood, nor wood collecting around these parts, so bring your own.

    camptruck

    Nadeau Road has abundant flat spots for RVs; Well stocked 4x4s can find secluded camping further up the canyons, but must be a self-sufficient camper and bring water, plenty of ice, extra gasoline, food and firewood.

    More Mining Camps & towns nearby:check

    Ballarat, CA
    Pleasant Canyon
    Randsburg, CA
    Skidoo, DVNP
    Tucki Mine, DVNP

    wildrosedrive
    Wildrose Canyon Road, DVNP

    lodging nearby – lodge

    Locating a ‘real bed’ near this remote desert region will require some driving. The closest option in Panamint Springs, which only has a few rooms. The next closest, would be Stovepipe Wells inside the National Park.

    mike_up5
    This is the kinda wheeling craziness that goes on in other canyons nearby.
    bestnite
    Leon from San Diego enjoys a spontaneous vacation.

    Camping in Panamint Valley is best in cooler months.  NOTE: Triple digit heat in summer!