Recently, we have been introducing some of the finest spots from the Sacred Mountain Shasta area, but this time we'll be introducing the hiking routes in Kings Canyon National Park for a while. This is another sacred California site with a different beauty.
But in fact, the highlights aren't just the giant trees. With its majestic scenery and beautiful trails, this is also a mecca and paradise for hikers.
This is a national park I personally recommend (although it's a little far from science fiction), as it's not as crowded as Yosemite, and offers authentic hiking while watching the beautiful mountains, rivers, waterfalls and valleys of Sierra Nevada. King's Canyon is a valley that is the deepest Guinness Book of Records in the United States, at approximately 2.5 km. Amazing views. The richness of California's variety of nature is impressive ( I mentioned a hiking trail with giant ancient trees in an article published in Redwood National State Park
This time, we will introduce the Mist Falls Trail, a popular trail that only those familiar with King's Canyon can enjoy.
table of contents
Hiking information for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
How to get to the park
Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park is about 5 hours' drive from San Francisco and Los Angeles. If you head from San Francisco, the road is almost the same as the entrance to Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park. After the gate at the entrance to the National Park, there is a path that divides into two parts, so if you go left you will head towards King's Canyon, and if you go right you will head towards Sequoia. There are no radio waves in the park, so it's smoother to download the places you want to go to in advance to GPS.
Good things to carry on hiking
As with all your belongings, just like before, prepare the same equipment as a typical American hike.
- Drinks (a lot in the summer, about 2 liters)
- Cold weather wear that can adjust the temperature
- hat
- sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and more for eating while hiking
- If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
- Other things you prefer with your regular hiking equipment
Trail data
- For intermediate and above
- Season: Best seasons are from May to October
- Trailhead elevation: Approx. 1,565m
- Round trip: Approx. 14km (8.7 miles)
- Height difference: Approx. 270m (879 ft)
- Course time: 4 to 5 hours round trip (including breaks)
Access (car to the trailhead)
Trailhead Address: Mist Falls Trailhead, CA-180, Cedar Grove, CA 93633 (or "Kings Canyon Joint Unified, CA")
Put this in your GPS and you'll reach the trailhead.
Hiking departure from the trailhead (trailhead)
Highway 180, which runs through the gates of Kings Canyon National Park and then travels to the trailhead, is also famous for its extremely beautiful landscape, and you will be driving through it. The final point at the dead end of the highway becomes the trailhead.
There is a view point along the way, so stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The trailhead has plenty of room and a bathroom.
We're heading straight to today's highlight, Mist Falls.
This trail is located along the river on South Fork Kings River, so there is always water nearby and the fresh greenery is lively, making it a truly pleasant trail. From the start, you will walk along a fairly flat trail from the waterfall.
Since the season was in the second half of May, there was a lot of melting snow, and the river had a solid amount of water. It is also famous for its area where bears often appear. Depending on the season, you may be able to see the smiling bears.
The trails are easy to understand and you won't be confused. There are forks, but there is a sign so head towards Mist Falls, so there's no problem at all. However, be careful as there are occasional rattle snakes. I also met a large rattlesnake while hiking. I was in the middle of the trail and when I saw me, I ran away from over to the bushes, but when I rest on rocky or grass while hiking, first check to see if there are any snakes!
We continue further, soothed by the crystal clear waters of the river, the squeals of water, and the sounds of the birds.
For the first time I walked for just over an hour, I transformed into a rocky landscape from the forest, which was covered in green. From here the slope begins.
The forests, rivers, valleys and many varieties of scenery will delight us hikers one after another. For those with healthy legs, it's not a rough hiking route, but there are probably many hiking trails where you can see such a beautiful view at once.
And about an hour and 50 minutes after the start, I came into view.
Sun San San's, a very hot trail, is now a place where there are plenty of negative ions and a lot of water, making it a very impressive and very pleasant place. Find a nearby place to rest and take a good look at the waterfall and enjoy plenty of negative ions. Don't forget to wear a jacket as it may get colder halfway through.
On the way back, you will need to go back the way you came, but if you have time, we recommend heading over to the river to cool off.
Put your feet in the river and cool down!
This hiking trail is perfect for summer.
It is less well known than Yosemite National Park, but that is what makes it appealing. There are few people and there are many hiking trails where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery. It is the perfect place for outdoor and hiking lovers. It's a great location for 2-3 days in nature while camping or backpacking.
Notes regarding the spread of COVID-19
As of October 2021, various countries are likely to experience a variety of situations, including entry restrictions due to the strengthening of quarantine systems, restrictions on admission to national parks, and restrictions on travel within the country. These conditions may change without notice, so when traveling, be sure to obtain local information such as embassies and consulates of each country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas safety website (infectious disease risk information) and national park websites, and check the information about the transfer location, the countries where you plan to travel, and the area around the destinations you plan to visit before making any effort to plan and take reasonable steps.
Kato Sayaka
