Last minute trip recommendations: Kings Canyon/Sequoia

Roads End – Lake Reflection and back.

–B.G.–

Hey Bob- great advice! good spot, but it's one of the few places there I've already been too- have a second recommendation?

You didn't mention your level of experience so my recommendations are all class I trail routes. If you have experience with xc the possibilities are almost endless and potentially much more creative/fun.

From the east side:

Horseshoe meadows TH to Miter Basin loop, go in via Cottonwood Pass and out via OAP or NAP and through Cottonwood Lakes. Bag Langley if you have time.

Onion Valley TH over Kearsarge Pass to Center Basin out and back.

Onion Valley TH to Sixty Lakes Basin out and back.

Shepherds Pass to the Upper Kern Basin and explore any of the amazing basins like Wright Lakes Basin, Wallace etc out and back.

Taboose Pass to Bench Lake out and back.

Baxter Pass to Rae Lakes out and back.

North Lake TH to Humphries Basin via Piute Pass out and back.

South Lake TH to Dusy Basin via Bishop Pass out and back. Go over Knapsack Pass (xc) into Palisade Basin if you have time (still within the 30 mile round trip).

Agnew Meadows TH to Lake Ediza with side trips to Iceberg Lake, Cecile Lake. Then out via the JMT past Garnet Lake and 1,000 Island Lake on route to the high trail back to AM.

Toulomne Meadows to Volgelsang Lake out and back.

West side:

Maxson Meadows TH to Blackcap Basin out and back. There are many possibilities here to expand the 30 mile limit and explore the lakes in the basin, or just check out the pools along the North Fork Kings.

Roads End to Sphinx Lakes Basin out and back.

Roads End to the Volcanic Lakes, Kids Lakes or State Lakes or just explore anything along the Monarch Divide.

If you're up for a little xc (about 8 miles with some use trails) and a challenging climb (almost 7,000 feet) try Roads End to Brewer Basin via the Avalanche Pass trail, then thru Sphinx Basin and over Sphinx Col to upper Brewer Basin. This is at the limit of the 30 mile round trip and makes for a tough climb back down on the way back.

Wishon reservoir to Tehipite Valley out and back.

If you are coming from OC, San Diego or the IE the east side approaches probably make the most sense due to the shorter travel times.

Have fun.

Great recommendations Andy!

I think the Miter Basin is a great fairly quick hike. Include either Mr. Pickering or Mt. Langley in there, and make a loop by heading over Old Army Pass to get back.

be prepared for snow no matter where you go as the forecast has precipitation and snow in the high country- don't forget the chains for the car.

ETA: Wishon to Tehipite has had no trail maintenance and should be considered a cross country trip – not exactly a "quick" weekend.

Thanks for the recommendations! Definitely gives me good options to pick from. Much appreciated.