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Middle Fork Kaweah Trail

Trail on Granite Creek, Middle Fork Kaweah River, Mehrten Creek, Dome Creek, Eagle Scout Creek in Sequoia NP, Sierra Nevada near Silver City, CA

Although it’s not as scenic as the rest of the park, the chaparral and bay tree-covered foothills area is a nice alternative when higher elevations are covered with snow. The best trail in this area is the Middle Fork Trail, which has a passing resemblance to the nearby High Sierra Trail, except it doesn’t have any sequoias, the views are more restricted, and it’s too hot to hike in the summer. The 5-mile trek to the nice backcountry campsites at Panther Creek seems to be fairly popular with both day hikers and backpackers.

The first four and a half miles of trail climbs through open chaparral with views mostly of the wide Middle Fork valley but also of Castle Rocks, Moro Rock, and the Great Western Divide. The same sights are visible from many of the Giant Forest area high country hikes, and in comparison it’s kind of strange to see them from below. The trail is wide and well-maintained in this area. As it approaches Panther Creek, the trail enters woodland and becomes more brushy.

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