Mineral King Loop.

[Ken Helwig]

Thinking about a loop out of Mineral King in SEKI. 4 days or so. Sawtooth Pass? I have never done anything out of that area. Looking at late season…..early Sept. I heard Marmots are an issue too

[Terran]

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/marmots.htm

[Paul Wagner]

Marmots are an issue early in the season and up at the main trailhead.  By September they shouldn’t be an issue, as there is lots of food for them to eat. Or you can park farther down, near the Hockett trailhead.  Not an issue there, apparently.  That’s what we did.

We did an early season hike out of Mineral King a few years ago, a loop from MK to Hockett Meadow,  up to Blossom Lakes, then down to the Little Kern and up over Farewell Gap.  The trail down into the Little Kern was darn near abandoned, but it was a lovely trip and we saw very few people over four or five days.

[Erik G]

We did a fun 4-day loop in Mineral King a few years ago, counterclockwise – up over Franklin Pass, along Soda Creek, up Lost Canyon and then back out over Sawtooth Pass. I’d recommend going this direction as Sawtooth Pass is a bear to climb, where Franklin Pass is very well graded and much more pleasant to climb.

If you go this route, there is a very cool “bench”/plateau just over Franklin Pass if you’re up for a little off trail action. As you descend from Franklin Pass, head east off the trail at right about 10,800 ft elevation. Keep heading east for 1/4 to 1/2 mile from there and you’ll hit the plateau. You can cross it and reconnect with the trail just above/north of Forester Lake. Great spot for a nice break.

[David Thomas]

Here’s some 45-year-old intel, so take it with a

We were young, stupid, and carrying Boy Scout style loads, me being two years away from my epiphany about UL gear.  And that hike up out of Mineral King to Sawtooth pass was tough because of the slope, our pack weight, and late-in-the-day heat.  It was the trip that inspired me for years after to bring an altimeter for my emotional health – if the pass is 11,650 and the altimeter says 9,300 then the pass is NOT just over that next rise, nor the one after that . . .  So settle in, set a sustainable pace, and plod along.

So consider leaving the Central Valley really early to avoid the heat (and any traffic coming out on the Mineral Kind Road) or consider camping at the car the night prior (I’m not sure if that’s allowed anymore).

The road in is/was 1.5 lanes wide.  With all my subsequent travels around North America, I’d not think much of it now, but at the time, it was a little nerve racking worried about oncoming traffic.

Coming down the river drainage, we had a black bear go through all our stuff.  This was back when I was afraid of them and we let it.  Now, for black bears (but not brown), I yell, and throw large rocks hard and run at it swinging a stout stick.  Plus canisters and Ursacks are a thing now.  I still remember the smell of Grape Wyler’s Grape Drink mix (it was that long ago) filling the air as the bear got to the carton of it.

EVERYTHING was covered with a sticky mix of bear saliva and Grape Wyler’s.  We took out the SLR and dunked everything else in the river.

When we got to the bottom of that drainage, there was a sign saying, “Yes, the bears come through EVERY night.  Hang your food.”

If you do the chicken wire thing, I’d suggest bringing a long enough roll plus bailing wire or ny-ties, and wire cutters / tin snips, but leave it rolled up and save your Home Depot receipt in case someone else left theirs or hands theirs off to you when they leave.  So you can return it afterwards.

[Ken Helwig]

Thanks all for the replies. This will be a solo trip so off trail is forbidden from my wife. The pictures that I have seen are absolutely amazing. I have done a bunch of group trips out of SEKI, but never in that area. I was thinking of doing the Rae Lakes Loop again, but after seeing pictures of this area….plus I have always wanted to visit there, it looks like a must

[jscott]

Plus one to David’s post. It can be brutally hot at the trailhead and all the way up, frankly. And the trails are indeed steep and unforgiving. Start early in the relative cool of the morning or better, pre-dawn, at any trailhead.

Maine is for lovers, they say. SEKI is for Bearikades,  preferably a Scout for your itinerary.

[Ken Helwig]

Yeah….I heard the initial climb can be pretty hot. Probably from the heat from the valley. Hopefully an early Sept. start will help…..or not

[Scott Nelson]

When we were in Mineral King a few years ago, the ranger said the marmots have two seasons: 1) anti freeze season, where they are jonzing to chew your heater hoses. 2) sweat season, where they chew everything you leave out that has sweat: trekking pole handles and clothes you left out to dry.   I think July is when the seasons change. Maybe someone will know more accurately.

Also, don’t trust the NPS websites that say bear canisters are only recommended.  I showed up with an Ursack and was required to rent a hard can.

The long drive in seems to make everyone who makes it to Mineral King a really happy and friendly person.

Scott

[Brian T]

I was just there yesterday, I did four days in mineral king. LMK if you want trail condidtions, details, whatever. Are you going soon?

Here is the long story short:
1. there is snow on everything above 9K
2. the snow melt has all water crossings flowing a very high levels – many trails in the area are tertiary water run off, so you might be hiking along side the “trail” which is currently more accurately a “creek”
3. it is fundamentally beautiful and 100% worth the hassle

[Author]

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