Mineral King is a subalpine glacial valley in Sequoia National Park at the headwaters of the East Fork of the Kaweah River. It is popular for hiking and backpacking. The valley floor is located at an elevation of 7400 feet.
Mineral King is accessed by Mineral King Road which begins near Three Rivers at Highway 198 and takes visitors ten miles to Lookout Point Entrance Station in Sequoia National Park. The road ends 17 miles east of Highway 198 in winter and 25 miles east of Highway 198 when the road is open past the winter closure gate. The road is narrow and winding – not advisable for RVs and trailers.
One thing to know when planning to visit Mineral King is that the area has marmots which may chew on your car’s electrical wires or hoses. A marmot is a large squirrel that frequents the area. The National Park Service recommends three things to protect your car from marmots. (1) Wash the outside, undercarriage and engine compartment before visiting. (2) Drive over a tarp and wrap it around your car when parking (making sure it covers the wheel wells). (3) They also recommend that you check your car for possible damage when you return to your vehicle.
In the Area:
Silver City Mountain Resort – Lodging at Silver City Resort includes fifteen cabins and chalets. It has been a family operated resort since 1934.
Cold Spring Campground – This campground is located 23 miles from Highway 198 near the Visitor Center. It has 40 tent-only campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are 31 regular sites and 9 walk-in sites. It is open from mid-July to late October.
Mineral King Ranger Station – a small, seasonal ranger station that is open daily from late May to late September.
Day Hikes – The National Park website lists Monarch Lakes, Crystal Lake, Timber Gap, Franklin Lakes, White Chief Trail, and Eagle and Mosquito Lakes as day hike destinations in the Mineral King area.
Backpacking – The Mineral King Loop is a popular multi-day backpacking adventure. Wilderness permits are required for all overnight trips in the wilderness in Sequoia National Park. Applications for permits during the quota season begin around March 1. Wilderness permits outside of the quota season are self-issued at the Ranger Station and free of charge.