On this burly, 200-plus-mile traverse, which crosses 33 passes and barely touches established trails, you can find Alaska-size scenery, complete solitude, and just enough risk to keep things interesting.
This 210- to 220-mile, 20- to 30-day cross-country journey could be the premier mountain trek in the Lower 48. But it is an expert route—not for novices, youth groups, bad knees, or even experienced trail hikers new to loaded scrambling and off-trail navigation.
You’ll hop boulders for 40 miles, and cross a sawtoothed succession of steep passes and deep gorges. You’ll traverse two national parks, three wilderness areas, one national monument, 33 named passes, and 11 major divides. If you’re unsure of your abilities, gain experience on less committing trips or section-hike the route. Since this trek crosses much fragile alpine tundra, small groups and Leave No Trace practices are mandatory.
TO TRAILHEAD: Start: From Kings Canyon Visitor Center, head west on Cedar Trail/Mother Nature Trail. Turn left onto CA-180 and continue 2 miles to trail junction.
End: From Bridgeport, head west on Main St./US 395. Turn left at Twin Lakes Rd and continue until the road ends. Park in dirt lot and head southeast to the trailhead.
Location: 37.169334, -118.565872
South Lake Trailhead - Mile 55.18
Directions to Trailhead: From Bishop, take CA 168 west, turning left at S Lake Rd. Continue 7.1 miles to trail junction.
SHR032
Location: 37.094112, -118.594337
Junction with PCT, turn right heading northward toward Muir Pass - Mile 66.84
Location: 37.171810, -118.700691
Follow trail past lake to first large switchback, then turn crisscrossing uphill from first major switchback above Evolution Canyon
SHR035
Location: 37.214928, -118.695068
Alpine Col. Long boulderhop descent down north side - Mile 85.76
SHR036
Location: 37.229038, -118.701241
First possible campsite beyond Alpine Col - Mile 87.54
Location: 37.473057, -118.873734
Shout of Relief Pass - Mile 118.08
SHR052
Location: 37.483242, -118.899323
Izaak Walton Lake
SHR053
Location: 37.496181, -118.911209
McGee PassTrail fords creek from east side of Horse Heaven. Stay left above/around Horse Heaven to avoid swamps. Let visible trail come to you, rather than crossing to it. - Mile 122.63
SHR054
Location: 37.501522, -118.924652
Junction with John Muir Trail, turn right heading east and begin climb through sage switchbacks out of Tully Hole. - Mile 123.48
Location: 37.528976, -118.950218
Second trail junction. Continue on JMT. Mile 127.63
SHR058
Location: 37.538334, -118.969131
Trail Junction. Leave PCT/JMT and turn right heading north toward Duck Lake. - Mile 129.72
SHR059
Location: 37.555347, -118.965012
Turn northwest and find user trail toward ridgeline and sandy flats.
SHR060
Location: 37.559139, -118.979332
Pass at west end of Sandy Flats. Follow user trail. - Mile 132.45
SHR061
Location: 37.563217, -118.990852
Good trail climbs from Deer Lakes, stays along west flank of Mammoth Crest.
SHR062
Location: 37.579456, -119.011932
Unmapped but easily visible switchbacks descend south southwest toward PCT
SHR063
Location: 37.595318, -119.026817
Junction with trails descending east to Lake George trailheads & campgrounds. Alternate route into Mammoth. - Mile 137.00
SHR064
Location: 37.602158, -119.037598
Top of critical sandy gully. Descend, then traverse north toward Mammoth Pass. - Mile 138.02
SHR065
Location: 37.608498, -119.039001
Intersect heavily used trail across Mammoth Pass. Cross and continue North. - Mile 138.51
SHR066
Location: 37.615383, -119.039757
Correct trail to Red's Meadow and Devils Postpile. Turn left/west and follow down through wildfire burn.- Mile 139.07
Location: 37.614697, -119.074959
Red's Meadow bus stop to Mammoth Ski Resort. Also available: Restaurant, small general store, lodging, BEER. Shuttle bus $7. Then hitch or take free shuttle from ski resort to Mammoth Lakes town. - Mile 141.97
SHR069
Location: 37.629395, -119.084656
Devils Postpile Visitor Center and Trailhead. Reached via mandatory $7 shuttle bush from Mammoth Ski Resort parking lot. - Mile 141.98
SHR070
Location: 37.632931, -119.088974
Trail Junction with JMT. Turn right toward Minaret Falls and Shadow Lake. - Mile 142.75
SHR071
Location: 37.640392, -119.093803
Second Junction. Leave JMT and turn left onto Beck Lakes Trail. - Mile 144.48
SHR072
Location: 37.624851, -119.135139
Third trail junction. Turn right toward Superior and Beck Lakes. Mile 148.53
SHR073
Location: 37.636387, -119.143837
Leave trail and strike north northwest toward Nancy Pass. - Mile 148.68
SHR074
Location: 37.641563, -119.147224
Nancy Pass. Note memorial plaque and tin can register. - Mile 149.30
SHR075
Location: 37.657539, -119.151283
Intersect Minaret Lake Trail. Turn left heading northwest - Mile 150.87
SHR076
Location: 37.662231, -119.164291
Scramble short, Class III slot up lava dam to hidden Cecile Lake. Climb is easier than it looks from a distance. - Mile 152.33
SHR077
Location: 37.696697, -119.177002
Whitebark Pass. To descend north, climb ridge to the east 200 feet and find ramp down crack in cliff. Possible steep snowfields in early- mid-summer. - Mile 156.23
SHR078
Location: 37.706619, -119.184219
Easy saddle to Thousand Island Lake. - Mile 157.21
SHR079
Location: 37.712051, -119.189377
Thousand Island Lake - Mile 157.79
SHR080
Location: 37.701382, -119.206413
Glacier Lake Pass. - Mile 160.03
SHR081
Location: 37.696270, -119.216263
Class II-III downclimb. Look close to find esay route. Not scary at all if you find the right line. - Mile 160.97
SHR082
Location: 37.693890, -119.223724
Steep intimidating gully turns out to have old mule trail switchbacking down it. Much easier than it looks from top. - Mile 162.18
SHR083
Location: 37.691444, -119.232445
Possible rib-deep stream crossing between lake and waterfall just downstream. Ford is floored by smooth slab. Can be done barefoot. - Mile 163.02
SHR084
Location: 37.683014, -119.252319
Small notch in ridge allows easy gully descent. - Mile 165.58
SHR085
Location: 37.685139, -119.290733
Blue Lake Pass. Descend 50 feet, then contour right heading northwest above rollover cliff bands below. Make straight for obvious snow-white rock mound - next waypoint. Do not descend into gullies below. - Mile 168.95
SHR086
Location: 37.687580, -119.294670
Obvious white quartz mound. Traverse northwest until you can touch it, then descend broad ridge west. - Mile 169.33
SHR087
Location: 37.688057, -119.308334
Find top of gully. Follow it down until definite user trail appears. Descend to valley floor and turn West. - Mile 170.29
SHR088
Location: 37.687511, -119.326744
Cartridge Pass Trail. Turn right/north and follow toward Lyell Fork of the Merced. - Mile 171.87
SHR089
Location: 37.706421, -119.325264
River crossing on logs. Possibly tough in early summer.
SHR090
Location: 37.745792, -119.374603
Junction with Lewis Creek Trail. Turn right heading northeast and climb valley. Mile 179.01
SHR091
Location: 37.769344, -119.342422
Junction with Bernice Lake Trail. Stay left, continue northeast. - Mile 181.59
Location: 37.824146, -119.333092
Last legal campsites before perimeter no-camping limit above Tioga Pass Road. - Mile 186.88
SHR096
Location: 37.866795, -119.322990
Junction with PCT/JMT. Turn left heading west. -Mile 190.26
SHR097
Location: 37.868752, -119.333595
Trail junction. Leave PCT/JMT and turn right heading north. - Mile 190.94
SHR098
Location: 37.875721, -119.333992
Junction with Dana Fork Trail. Turn right heading east and follow to crossing of Tioga Pass Highway, or left heading west and cross bridge to parking lot and dumpster. - Mile 191.49
Location: 38.004242, -119.309959
Sky Pilot Col. Beware of steep, skittery descent on north. side. Proceed cautiously. - Mile 206.59
SHR104
Location: 38.037811, -119.340401
Virginia Creek Trail. Step across and continue northwest toward Soldier Lake. Stay on left side of old avalanche path for easiest route to granite slabs above. - Mile 209.86
SHR105
Location: 38.047054, -119.354332
Soldier Lake. Limited camping available. Better sites exist on north side of saddle enroute to Stanton Pass. - Mile 211.11
SHR106
Location: 38.060593, -119.359909
Stanton Pass. northwest side is steep, exposed Class III-IV descent. Consider using rope for safety. - Mile 212.48
SHR107
Location: 38.088696, -119.371704
Horse Canyon Pass. Begin steep descent down Horse Canyon. Look closely for user trails, and possible steep snowfields in early to mid summer. - Mile 214.57
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