KERN RIVER CANYON
From Giant Forest the Kern is best reached by way of the High Sierra Trail to Hamilton Lake or Big Arroyo, first day; Moraine Lake or Funston Meadow in Kern Canyon, second day.
From Mineral King to the Kern there are several alternative routes, and the trip may be made by way of Franklin Pass and Rattlesnake Creek in 1 long day; or Franklin Pass and Soda Creek; or by Farewell Gap, Rifle Creek, and Coyote Pass. It is 1 long day or 2 easy days from Mineral King to the Kern by either Franklin or Coyote Passes.
KERN RIVER CANYON TO KINGS RIVER CANYON
The trail generally used in the past between these canyons is not shown on the United States Geological Survey topographic map, but passed through Shepherd and Junction Passes east of Junction Peak to the headwaters of the Kings at Center Basin. This has been replaced by a new trail direct from Tyndall Creek to Center Basin, passing just west of Junction Peak over Foresters Pass. It is known as the John Muir Trail Cut-off. In addition to this route, there is a rough but passable trail from Junction Meadow, near the head of the Kern Canyon, via the Kern-Kaweah River and Colby Pass to Cloud Canyon and the Roaring River section of the Kings.
KINGS RIVER CANYON
At an elevation of 6,600 feet, General Grant National Park and places nearby at Hume and Big Meadow are points of departure for the Kings Canyon, Sugarloaf, and Roaring River areas. The most direct routes to these areas are from this park. Good hotel and camping facilities, post office, stores, telephone, and telegraph, repair shops, etc., are located in General Grant National Park.
From the Kings Canyon main trails lead out as follows: Up Copper Creek and via Granite Basin to Simpson Meadow (and down the Middle Fork to Tehipite Valley and Dome), north from Simpson Meadow to John Muir Trail, and over Muir Pass via LeConte Canyon to Yosemite; up Paradise Valley to Woods Creek and John Muir Trail over Pinchot Pass to the upper basin of the South Fork of the Kings River; up Bubbs Creek to intersection with John Muir Trail, or over Kearsarge Pass to the Owens Valley, or via Center Basin, Junction, and Shepherd Passes to the Kern Canyon.
SUGARLOAF AND ROARING RIVER
This fine scenic area is covered from Giant Forest via J. O. Pass or Silliman Pass entrances to the park, Rowell Meadow, Sugarloaf Meadow, Scaffold Meadow, up Deadman Canyon to Elizabeth Pass, to Bearpaw Meadow, and to Giant Forest.