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The Theodore Solomons Trail was designed as an alternative to the more heavily-traveled John Muir Trail. Sadly, the trail seems to have largely fallen off the map (so to speak). The last guidebook to the TST was published in 1992, and some of the trails appear to be no longer maintained and difficult to follow.

I’m collecting research on the trail to potentially come up with a viable route. The GPX file on the map below largely follows the original route. I traced this using GPS Visualizer, and it’s not 100% accurate. According to the TST guide book, the trail is 271.3 miles long. This map calculates loses nearly 50 miles — probably in switchbacks that I did not attempt to trace.  The elevation profile is also likely inaccurate, based again on tracing and calculating rather than actual GPS data. But it should provide a crude starting point for anyone curious about the trail.

Note that there is an icon on the top right corner of map which will let you go full-screen (and back again). This is particularly useful if you have a high resolution monitor. You can also switch between several map overlays for a satellite view. And you can download my GPX file for use in Google Earth or other apps.

Since this route is not really an “official” route but simply a string of interconnected trails, there’s no real reason why it couldn’t be modified to make it a more enjoyable trail. If you’ve got feedback on the route or suggestions for improving it, leave a comment.

Additional Theodore Solomons Trail Resources

Special thanks to Roleigh Martin from the John Muir Trail group on Facebook for sharing his wealth of knowledge on the trail. 

 

39 Responses

  1. Raleigh suggested showing the JMT alongside the TST. I’m using a different map plugin, but when I saw these two trails together on the map, the first thing thing that popped into my mind? How about a loop!?

    1. The question is… do too few people go there! I’ve heard that some of the trails are not maintained and difficult to follow or require a lot of bush-whacking.

      It would definitely be a plus to give people an alternative to the JMT, but if it’s too hard to follow, that would dissuade a lot of people.

  2. A little bushwhacking or route-finding can be a good thing. Everyone should know their true limitations, but I enjoy the prospect of scrambling up a drainage to camp at a tarn by myself. 🙂

  3. I think that the trails south of the San Joaquin crossing on Sierra NF are the biggest question. What I hear from rangers is that they often don’t exist. Too few people have used them over the decades.

    This route hasn’t gotten much traffic because most people don’t want to walk that region. I wonder too about pot farms. We hear a lot about growing operations in the Sierra. This must cross that zone?

    Someone experienced should go explore and report back. 🙂

    I’ve had this book since the 1990s – it’s definitely a route for the dedicated Sierra rat..

    1. The trails are a mess — that seems to be the consensus, Jack. I know Roleigh has expressed interest in an exploratory TST hike in 2016. That might work with my schedule.

      Another person in the JMT group on FB has talked about doing sections of the TST this summer (which I might be able to do). I’m going to try to keep in touch and see if we can collect some better data on trail conditions, etc.

  4. Jack asked a question on my Facebook and what follows is my reply. I was trail crew lead for SNF during the 2014 work season and walked several portions, including the segment between Rattlesnake lake and Cassidy Bridge. FYI, I am not posting this as an employee of the SNF nor in any official capacity:

    Glad you asked, it’s one of my favorite parts of the Sierra that I saw this season. Had the snow not come when it did, I was planning a trip from its junction with Rattlesnake lake trail to Heitz Meadow. Sadly I also had a paid partner crew slated to do basic maintenance on that section but they were the first paid crew that I’ve ever had show up that met none of my expectations for a pro-crew and ultimately they turned down the assignment because they didn’t want to walk down there.

    The trail up from the bridge has not seen maintenance for at least 40 years and in places, is hard to find. I have an iPhone app called “forest maps” that has all the 7.5 topos for the forest that made it a lot easier. One of the hardest parts to find is the switchback that leaves the bottom. After that it’s steep but fairly easy to follow as it climbs up the rim though there is a fair amount of blowdown and vegetation encroaching in the corridor. The other thing to watch out for in the first 400 feet of elevation gain is poison oak.

    Once it’s on top of the rim, it becomes a little more difficult to follow but with decent route finding skills and a good map you should be able to follow it. In most places it’s a faintly cupped track but in a few places it’s fairly indistinct. The junction with Rattlesnake lake trail is marked by this sign (I can email the picture)

    From there, I was able to see the CRHT, however I was there to find another trail so I didn’t follow it.

    I do know that this past season Wilderness logged out all along rock creek to the old guard station at Heitz Meadow so from there it should be easier going. I’d recommend doing this one in spring or fall if snow doesn’t keep you out of the high country because this stretch gets pretty warm in the height of summer and most of the water sources run dry. It’s a beautiful area that receives extremely low use and has some fairly outstanding wilderness qualities. If the timing works out, Cassidy is a great campsite with some amazing swimming right there.

    Further back along the route, I can also highly recommend Chittenden Lake as a campsite. It’s a mile off the route but receives the lowest use of the lakes in the area from what I saw and from campsites east of it, you’ll be looking over the entire valley. I was also able to get 4G service from just above Fernandez pass, probably because it’s line of sight with Mammoth Mountain.

  5. A little more to follow up on my previous post.

    That I am aware of, there is no sign of marijuana grows in this area. Most of the grows that I was informed about happened further down in the foothill areas closer to the towns. However there is plentiful evidence of heavy use by bears in this area so even though the Sierra allows for counterbalance, I’d recommend sticking with a bear canister.

    One other thing to consider if you decide to scout it is that once the Sierra Scenic byway is open, a strong hiker could scout the worst section in a day trip. Though considering the loss/gain and conditions, I’d recommend it as an overnight.

  6. A few points for discussion, I’m one of the folks exploring the route (i believe a few of us have talked on FB and I started a thread when i found a copy of the book at my local library after searching for a while for it) and plan on hitting several sections this summer. My folks live in Shaver Lake and a lot of the central section are in their backyard. These areas near Potters Pass, Kaiser Wilderness, Rattlesnake Crossing, Dinkey Lakes etc are all areas I’ve traveled frequently since I was a kid with my dad. I am going to check out the section Andrew mentioned as a potential problem coming from Portal Forebay (south) and from Clover Meadow (North-ish). I predict its doable but if you are opposed to poison oak or get easily frustrated with route finding or making up your own a few of these sections might not be your cup of tea.

    I’m also hearing about major blow downs and downright dangerous conditions leading from Wishon/Rancheria to Tehipite. There is also some rattlesnake country bush whacking to do in Tehipite traveling to Simpson Meadow.

    As far as marijuana grows, I can also speak intelligently to and from practical experience that these areas on the TST are not to be much of a concern. They are usually at lower elevations and always near (several miles or so) from a major road. More importantly, the amount of grows have severely declined over the past few years due them being hit VERY hard for multiple years in a row. Most have moved their operations from public lands to the valley floor on farmland (posing as medicinal operations). I’m not saying there aren’t out there…but its not like it used to be. As a caveat to my own words here, several summers ago while on the JMT, near the red cones/craters in Mammoth, right on the creek bed several hundred yards off trail and up stream on a small creek there was a grow operation there. But then again that’s in close proximity to Mammoth and easy in and out.

    Lastly, I have traced on a true topo (very crudely) most of the trip. I will be finishing is soon. I have some more work to do tomorrow. I don’t have it in me tonight to read anymore or find the route.

    Aside from the San Joaquin crossing area for scouting, I am strongly considering as sections (due to vacation being a premium) Glacier Point to Clover Meadows, Florence Lake to the JMT to Simpson Meadow and then up and over Granite Pass to Roads End (to scout the Tehipite river valley section), the section from Roads End up over Avalanche Pass etc to the east side/Whitney Portal. Since the Courtright section is in my backyard (so to speak) I can probably long weekend it from Sample Meadow to Courtright and smell the roses. I anticipate this summer I can knock out 2-3 sections.

    I’m game for company as there are a few sections I WILL NOT do solo (the descent to Tehipite comes to mind) due to the remoteness and sketchy trails I’d be scouting. For now, I am content to plot, route, and research since I am laying flat on my back with a herniated L4-L5.

    Thanks btw for taking up the interest in this. This “middle” sierra area is near and dear to my heart since I grew up here. So many places to explore and so little life to do it!

    Remember this is a crude trace route I drew free hand point by point as I read the guidebook. Profile data etc is not going to be accurate. Please feel free to point out any omissions, errors, etc.

    http://caltopo.com/map?id=0E2G

  7. Thanks for the beta, Shawn. I like your map on Caltopo and will be watching for updates. By the way, you can switch the layers on my map above by clicking the button in the upper right corner of the map. The Open Cycle Map actually shows the topographic lines.

    There’s a couple of things that we could do with the TST. One option is to try to follow the route as closely as outlined in the book. This might prove problematic for reasons several people have pointed out, but if there is enough interest and enthusiasm, maybe we can organize some volunteer trail crews to get clean up the rough spots.

    I might be available to do some scouting this year. I won’t have time to attempt the entire thing, but scouting — quite possible. Let’s keep in touch.

  8. Thanks for posting my Topo Jeff!

    I did take a look at the ability to switch layers on your map and the open cycle was interesting but for a stubborn topo guy like myself, I feel more comfortable with the real deal in my hand I guess. But to each his own. Between your maps and mine I think we have the concept covered.

    I think following the route closely, as we have discussed and discovered, is very doable except for two areas. Those two areas are the San Joaquin crossing and the area from Wishon to Tehipite Valley and then from Tehipite to Simpson Meadow. Frankly, I’m not too concerned with the San Joaquin leg to Rattlesnake Lake. I am more than curious about the Tehipite Valley to Simpson Meadow leg. With potential missing bridges, water flow timing, RATTLESNAKES everywhere, i would be heart broke to get that far and then have to turn around and climb out of Tehipite and go back to Wishon.

    I was thinking, like you were, about a closely matched route that follows the spirit of the the TST but sees some much better country! For instance, the green tunnel out of Wishon to Tehipite sounds like a yawn fest to me.

    How does this sound for a treat (and I will map it this weekend and post here so we can tweak it). Using Roleigh’s and the guy from Sierra Mapper (Adam I think?) idea of a southern Yosemite exit to avoid Donahue, I have a plan that will see some fantastic country and is continuous (save for one slight hiccup that I will cover later). These routes will let you see a lot of seldom visited Southern Yosemite, some middle Sierra, some of TST’s actual footsteps, some outstanding high sierra and above treeline, and so many passes your head will spin.

    And for what its worth. If I do this, you, or anyone else…you me and Roleigh get dibs on naming this route (whichever becomes popular)!!!

    I borrowed some of this from Roleigh BTW>

    Leg 1

    Option 1/Leg 1 (the possibilities here are endless pretty much for getting out of Yosemite)
    Glacier Point
    Illilouette Creek
    Merced Pass
    Fernandez Pass
    Post Peak Pass
    Isberg Pass
    Granite Creek Crossing
    Bugg Meadow
    Hemlock Crossing
    Corral Meadow
    Granite Stairway
    Reds Meadow/Soda Springs

    Option 2/Leg 1
    Rafferty Creek / Lyell Canyon Trailhead
    Tuolumne Pass
    Vogelsang Pass
    Bernice Lake Jct.
    Foerster Creek Crossing
    Isberg Pass
    Sadler Lake
    Bugg Meadow
    Earthquake Meadow
    Cargyle Meadow
    Granite Stairway
    Reds Meadow etc.

    Option 3/Leg 1
    Rafferty Creek / Lyell Canyon Trailhead
    Tuolumne Pass
    Vogelsang Pass
    Merced Lake High Sierra Camp
    Red Peak Pass
    Merced Pass
    Fernandez Pass
    Post Peak Pass
    Isberg Pass
    Hemlock Crossing Footbridge
    Cargyle Meadow
    Granite Stairway
    Reds Meadow etc.

    Leg 2

    Option 1/Leg 2
    Reds Meadow
    PCT
    Virginia Lake
    Goodale Pass
    VVR (resupply)
    Mono Meadow
    Mono Crossing
    Portuguese Flat
    Sample Meadow
    Potters Pass
    Badger Flat
    Back of Dinkey Lakes
    Courtright Reservoir (resupply)

    Option 2/Leg 2
    Reds Meadow
    PCT
    Virginia Lake
    Goodale Pass
    VVR (resupply)
    Warm Creek Trail
    China Camp
    Rattlesnake Crossing
    Sample Meadow
    Potters Pass
    Badger Flat
    Back of Dinkey Lakes
    Courtright Reservoir (resupply)

    Option 3/Leg 2 (i don’t personally like this one. Too much JMT for my liking and we are trying to get away from that here).
    Reds Meadow
    PCT
    Virginia Lake
    Goodale Pass or Silver Pass
    VVR or continue on PCT/JMT
    Exit JMT/PCT
    Simpson Meadow
    Granite Pass
    Roads End (Resupply)

    Leg 3

    Option 1/Leg 3
    Courtright Reservoir
    Hell For Sure Pass
    Evolution Valley
    JMT/PCT
    Simpson Meadow
    Granite Pass
    Roads End (Resupply)

    Option 2/Leg 3 (This option has some issues and variables due to bridge outages/trails missing in Tehipite Valley and blow downs outside Wishon)
    Courtright Reservoir
    Crown Pass
    Tehipite Valley
    Simpson Meadow
    Granite Pass
    Roads Ends (resupply)

    Leg 4

    The possibilities here are endless.
    I would advocate sticking to the TST from here out
    Avalanche Pass
    Elizabeth Pass or Colby Pass for more adventure
    Then to Mineral King or if Via Colby work your way to Cottonwood.
    Another exit strategy to get Forrester and Keersage is to exit Onion Valley

    Thoughts?

    Epic? HELL YES it is.

  9. Fascinating stuff. I’ve been through the Tehiphite Valley area twice, but that was at least 25 years ago on the most recent one. I’ve come through the Crown Valley side and the Granite Pass side. There was a semi-intact bridge at Simpson Meadow when I was there the first time which was in the 70’s. The bridge was three very large logs, two of which had decomposed and fallen into the river. The Middle Fork is going to be a real trick to cross in a lot of years.

    As for rattlesnakes, that area does stand out in my mind as having a lot of them.

    Any way you do the trail (no. bo. or so. bo.), climbing out of Tehipite is a bit on the ugly side. Just a lot of climbing and very hot as I recall going up to Crown Valley.

    The trail No Bo. from Tehipite is going to be in really bad shape. I don’t think it’s seen maintenance since the 70’s. The Crown Valley area which is fairly accessible from Wishon and Courtright should be in much better shape trail wise I would think, but I haven’t been in that area for some years.

    There used to be horse packers that took people from Roads End on the S Fork up over Granite Pass down into Simpson Meadow for fishing. I don’t know if that’s still happening, but of the two ways in/out of Tehipite on the TST, I imagine that the route over Granite Pass will be in better shape.

    The trail from Bear Paw Meadow up over Timber Gap in Mineral King is in excellent shape as of 5 years ago (the last time I went through there). There once was a bridge at Middle Fork Kaweah River, but that’s long gone (40 years?), so it’ll be a wade there. With the drought, it may be no more than knee deep.

    Fascinating stuff!

    HJ

  10. @Shawn Peterson – damn you’ve done some good research there. I would LOVE To see all these option drawn on a map haha 🙂 I thought mineral king/kearsarge was the most beautiful place I’ve ever been, more so than trail crest/whitney even. loved Olancha. I did not complete the JMT, did the section from yosemite to Mammoth/Reds, so I realize i didn’t see the most beautiful part of it probably, but it seems like overcrowding and permit issues are going to limit that option for me soon. Very interested in this alternative TST or losely TST-based plans! One question, would anybody be able to tell me what sections are dog friendly? I know national park trails are off the table, just wondering what wilderness/forest/park sections all these legs go through, seeig them on a map would help. Thank you!

  11. About 32 years ago I took some of my Boy Scouts on this route, using a brochure I saw at Kelty’s Backpacking store. Took several weeks to do the whole thing, hiking from Horseshoe Meadows, across the southern Sierra to Mineral King, then north to Glacier Point. Sure, it was tough, but not impossible. There is the advantage of snow-free passes and five roads traveling into the mountains to intersect with the trail for re-supplies. It was fun to try to figure out how go keep moving along the route, despite obstacles and uncertainty. As Nike says…”Just do it!” You won’t regret it…
    Gary Buscombe
    “A Hiking Guide to the Theodore Solomons Trail” author, 1983.

    1. Hi Gary-I am doing some research on the TST and trying to get in touch with Dennis R. Gagnon. Do you know if there is anyway I can contact him? My aunt, Shirley Sargent, wrote a book about Theordore Solomons and I am the current owner of Solomoms homestead in Yosemite (Flying Spur).
      Thanks, Kathy Chappell

  12. Dear everyone,
    Thank you all for the info! I’m possibly interested in thru-hiking this trail after my semester ends if I can gather enough data for me to feel somewhat comfortable with. Possibly this summer. I was going to hike the JMT but after hiking the AT last season I long for less people and more of a challenge. I can’t wait to share whatever I find with all of you,
    Best,
    Anna (AKA Rocket Girl)

  13. Hello all,

    My name is Peter Francev, and I am currently in the final stages of finishing my “revision” of the Buscombe/Gagnon guides to the TST. A lot has changed since both editions came out. I have segment-hiked each section several times (Yose-Huntington Lake; HL-Cedar Grive; CG-Mineral King; MK-Horseshoe Mdw). If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to post a question. I will respond as soon as I can.

    Cheers,

    Peter

  14. Just returned from a backpack trip from the Crown Valley trailhead into Crown Valley, Rodgers Creek, Geraldine Lake area. Except for a short stretch west of Crown Valley toward Wishon Reservoir, which must be maintained by a local packer, the trails are in terrible shape: deadfall and confusing trails will slow you down to a crawl and challenge your route finding skills. You can get to Geraldine Lake from Crown Valley, but it ain’t easy! Lots of bear scat but didn’t actually see any bears in 5 days. Gave up on the Rodgers Creek — Tehipite trail.

  15. Roleigh — I ran into a problem with my mapping plugin late last week — just before my 5-day backpacking trip. It’s fixed now, and the map with both the JMT and the TST should appear at the top of this page. Thanks for sharing your map! Great addition.

  16. Thanks Jeff, Shawn and the rest for the good info and postings.

    I’m considering doing part or all of the TST this summer. That raises a lot of questions, but my first issue is resupply. Based on what folks have said above and other information, I’ve come up with the following possible resupply locations:

    -Vermillion Valley Resort
    -Muir Trail Ranch (a bit of a detour, but doable)
    -Courtright Reservoir (don’t really see anything here but campsites; I don’t know how easy it would be to hitch a ride out to the Shaver Lake post office and back; maybe the PG&E people would hold a bucket of food at the dam if you dropped it off personally, or maybe you could cache a bear canister somewhere near the reservoir?)
    -Roads End (someone told me you could send resupply to the ranger station at Cedar Grove, but from the SEKI website it looks like the park expects you to send resupply to the post office in Grant Grove down the road)
    -Bearpaw Meadow (maybe you’d have to hike in to Lodgepole, although I don’t know if there’s anyplace at Lodgepole that would accept and hold a resupply package)
    -Mineral King (don’t know if there’s any possible resupply spot there or you’d have to hitch out to Three Rivers or Lodgepole)

    I’m familiar with VVR and MTR, but if anyone had any insights about other resupply possibilities on the west side of the Sierras, I’d be grateful hear your thoughts. Thanks-

  17. Hi Andy.

    I’m currently writing the latest edition of the TST guidebook and have scouted out the resupply points along the way. Here are my two cents’ worth: If you’re heading southbound, the first place to resupply would be General Store/PO at Huntington Lake. You’d have to hike, shuttle, or catch a ride down 168 just south of Potter Pass. If you hike it, you’re looking at 12 miles rt on asphalt. Once resupplied, you next copy is a long one (unless your try MTR), but it would be Road’s End. You can resupply at Cedar Grove RS; however, there is one caveat: The rangers prefer if you physically take your resupply box to CG rather than mailing it. I was told that this way they can put a face with the box. From CG you can resupply at Mineral King RS. Rangers here said that you COULD drive the hairpin road in, or just mail it ahead. The one issue that will be persistent throughout the resupply process is fuel. You can’t mail fuel ahead, so it’s either packing enough, OR purchasing more along the way.

    Good luck!

    Peter

  18. Thanks, Peter. Just the kind of information I was looking for. Resupply spots seem reasonable spaced — VVR to Road’s End/Cedar Grove seems like a 6-7 day hike (70-80 miles, give or take, by my initial calculations), so that shouldn’t be a problem.

    1. Right.

      If you’re using CG/RE as a resupply, I would highly recommend NOT heading northbound, because of the weight of the pack with fresh supplies, plus the long haul out of Kings Canyon proper, up past Granite Lake and then down to the Middle Fork of the Kings– a loss of 5,000 feet, before 12 miles along the river (losing another 1,000), before the climb out of Tehipite Valley (3,500 gain). From that point, it is a long steady climb towards Courtright and Huntington Lake resupply. Just my thoughts. If you do make it out next summer, do post pictures!

  19. Thanks, Peter. The current, very preliminary plan is to go southbound starting at VVR. I misunderestimated the distance from VVR to Cedar Grove. It’s close to 100 miles, so I would need to find a resupply somewhere in between.

    The road to Huntington Lake/Lakeshore does seem like a long slog, unless there are some backpacker-friendly drivers on the road. Badger Flat campground doesn’t seem to have bear boxes and looks too small to have a campground host who might hold a package for a few days.

    Rather than hike the road, it would be more appealing to leave the TST at Upper Twin Lake, head west past George Lake cross-country to the Kaiser Loop trail and take that south to Lakeshore, then return to the TST via the trail to Potter Pass.

    Anyway, will have to think about this a little more.

  20. I am heading up to Cassidy Bridge on July 30th, 2016. Plan on driving up Minarets Road and attempting to park near the Granite Creek bridge and work my way down the TST to Cassidy Crossing/Lower Miller Crossing. It’s a scouting trip and I intend to photograph and GPS the heck out of it. I will consider it a success if I am able to park near a trail and make it down to the bridge noting the current route. If anyone has anything specific you would like me to look out for or record please let me know and I’ll do my best.

  21. Not sure if this thread is dead or alive, but am thinking of doing
    Option 2/Leg 2
    Reds Meadow
    PCT
    Virginia Lake (Fish Valley)
    Goodale Pass
    VVR (resupply)
    Warm Creek Trail
    China Camp
    Rattlesnake Crossing
    Sample Meadow
    Potters Pass
    Badger Flat
    Back of Dinkey Lakes
    Courtright Reservoir (resupply)

    In reverse and I had a couple ?’s.
    Can one easily get to Kaiser Peak from George lake, any route suggestions…
    From George your thoughts getting to VVR…
    Most all of the trip other wise seems to be pretty straight forward.
    Am including a link to caltopo of my proposed trip and the one I did last year https://caltopo.com/m/A1T3

    TIA

  22. Michael:

    Did you take that trip this year? I am on an amazing journey with the TST. After my JMT hike in 2015, I really wanted a similar trip with just a bit more solitude. I got out my maps and basically drew the TST without any idea anyone had done so before! In the past couple weeks, I have found all the history of the route and have the old trail guide coming. I plan to do the route in 2018.

    in 2016 I tried to do it at a pace similar to my JMT hiking pace which proved to be TOTALLY unrealistic in the Ansel Adams wilderness where, as noted above in this string, trail maintenance has been non-existent for decades. I was in that area this summer figuring out the “least bad options” to get through. It is really a great area and here is where I am at this point in the planning.

    My desire is to stay off the JMT completely.

    Out the south end of YNP at Isberg Pass
    Through Clover Meadow and down to Cassidy Bridge. (I have done this and it is wide open)
    Cassidy Bridge – Heitz Meadow – Bear Meadow. I have done this. It is slow but still the best route.
    Bear Meadow to Rock Creek – this is an old fire road.
    Rock Creek – Arch Rock and the Big Margaret Lake area
    This is not strictly necessary but it gets up into a beautiful area and visits one of the only true arches in the Sierras.
    The trail from here down to Onion Springs and the road out to VVR is good.
    I am a big booster of VVR and want to patronize them when ever possible.
    Also, I tried to get from Rock Creek down to Rattlesnake Crossing this summer and NO trail exists. It could be done, but slowly.
    From VVR to Rattlesnake Crossing is also a problem. I tried to get to China Camp a few weeks ago from Rattlesnake Bridge and had to abort due to Manzanita.
    I think the least bad route is to go from VVR to Mono Meadow, cross Mono Creek there, cross the south fork at the Moro Crossing and then go to Portal Forebay, and then up to Sample Meadow. I did most of this a few weeks ago and found it passable.

    From here to Dinkey Lakes should not be a problem, then I think it possible to get to Huntington Lake without too much grief where the trail to Burnt Corral Meadow and the SEKI trail system should be easier. I have heard that the 2015 fires did a great deal of good in clearing the Crown Valley area. Enough people climb Tehipite Dome that this route should be passable. The walk up the middle fork of the Kings has always been an adventure, but seems to be passable. Simpson Meadow is crossable later in the summer and the SEKI web site actually posts info on this crossing. From there to Roads end is a steep climb on a maintained trail.

    My route from there will probably be Avalanche Pass, Colby Pass, then over the the JMT at Wallace Creek. I want to exit by climbing Mount Langley and it is quite a bit shorter to go this way than all the way through Mineral King. Having said that, Silver City Mountain Resort is a great place to Resupply. It is down the road from the MK ranger station and they will gladly hold a box for you. They are accessed by going to Atwell Mill. This would be closer to the original route that went over Elizabeth Pass instead of Colby Pass.

    Let me know if you did your trip as proposed and how it worked out!

    Jeff Cannon
    Morro Bay, CA

    1. Ken, is there any way to make the Facebook page publicly accessible, so that people without Facebook accounts can view the page and submit postings?

  23. This sounds challenging yet very interesting. I would love to know more about this trail and perhaps, try thru-hiking it as well, together with my friends. Is there any more guides you can share and when is the best time to do the trail?

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