Sequoia National Park Backpacking: Mineral King

       In July of 2013 I had an intense urge to get out of the city and into nature. The result was a wonderful three day trip with my sister Erin in Sequoia National Park's southern region called Mineral King. The geology in this area differs from other parts of the Sierra Nevada in that it consists mostly of metamorphosed shale and granite, which created some beautiful and colorful scenery along the way. Not to mention the gorgeous Giant Sequoias! 

The road into mineral king from the 198 is about 24 miles of twisting turning one lane road that can only be driven safely at a maximum of 15 mph. It's a beautiful drive that taunts you with quick glimpses of the mountains that you will eventually get to play in, if you could only just get there already! I had to stop a couple times to enjoy the drive alone, like this photo above of a neat old bridge.

 My mother Paula checking out the scenery

 

We set up a basecamp for the night at one of the two campsites near the trailhead. We were surround by second growth Giant Sequoia and the stumps of the trees that had been logged in the past. I read in the brochure that logging Giant Sequoia wasn't the most lucrative because the tall trees tended to shatter once they hit the ground. The size of the stumps was simply astounding and it was difficult to imagine what they would look like if they were still alive.

Marmots are common in Mineral King and on years when the snowpack comes further down the mountains they've been know to chew at the salty cables in car engines. The last thing you would want to happen after a multi-day trip in the mountains.

 Erin and I started on the trail for Sawtooth pass (which I'd love to do on another trip) and split off the trail to get to a less traveled camp spot near the Crystal Lakes.

 Bring on the blisters!

Orange Sneezeweed

Tiger Lily

Possibly Hound's Tongue

View of the east side of Mineral King

Heading up to Crystal Lakes you can see the contact between the metamorphosed granite and metamorphosed shale. Sawtooth Peak is ahead in the granite and Mineral Peak is to the left out of the picture.

Checking out Lower Crystal Lake

Sunset in Mineral King

 

Good morning little Pika!

Ready to tackle the day!

  On our second day Erin and I headed off trail in order to complete our loop to the next set of lakes. We had to skirt upper Crystal Lake and climb a loose gravel ridge in order to get a view of upper Monarch Lake where we would spend the second night.

 Celebrating our midpoint victory with Mineral Peak to the left behind me.

  We considered summiting Mineral Peak while we were up along the ridge but a combination of tired legs and loose metamorphosed shale made us think otherwise. Next time I will definitely summit Sawtooth Peak though!

 Erin resting with Sawtooth Peak (12,343ft) in the background.

 Yoga break.

Navigating this wash in order to get to upper Monarch Lake

 

Upper Monarch Lake with Mineral Peak (11,615ft)

 

 We decided to camp on this secluded little beach on the far end of Upper Monarch Lake. There were campsites on the other side of the lake but they were full of people (Gasp!).

 Brave little marmot begging for our dinner

 View of Mineral Peak from our tent

 View looking west across upper Monarch Lake

About the end of our second day is when my camera died. I feel like I got plenty of pictures to capture this amazing place. I can't wait to come back here!

Dates: 7/13/2013 - 7/15/2013
Location: Sequoia National Park, Mineral King
Tails: Sawtooth Trail to Crystal Lakes Trail