Franklin Pass
10.0 Rattlesnake Creek and Soda Creek junction
10.5 Forester Lake
11.75 Little Claire Lake
16.4 Sawtooth Pass Trail junction
18.0 Big Five Lakes junction
21.5 Columbine Lake
22.3 Sawtooth Pass
24.0 Lower Monarch Lake
24.75 Crystal Lake Trail junction
26.9 Timber Gap Trail junction
INTRODUCTION: A bare minimum of three days provides an opportunity to experience one of Mineral King’s classic loops, featuring alpine and subalpine lakes, deep forests, picturesque meadows, tumbling streams, and stunning views from two passes on the Great Western Divide. The red and orange hues of metamorphic rock surrounding Mineral King complement and contrast with the typical High Sierra granite. Crossing both Franklin and Sawtooth Passes, especially Sawtooth, which follows an unmaintained route on a difficult climb from Columbine Lake, followed by a tedious descent over loose soil to Monarch Lake, ensures backpackers will get a workout. Managing this demanding stretch requires more than rudimentary backpacking skills, which makes this loop one for experienced backpackers only.
Travelers with extra time will certainly want to take the short side trip to Big Five Lakes. The siren call of grand scenery and relative seclusion may lure backpackers off the main loop for an extended visit. Anglers should enjoy the temptations offered by prospects of landing some good-size brook trout.
DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD: From the east end of Three Rivers, leave Highway 198 and turn onto Mineral King Road. Follow the road past Atwell Mill Campground, Silver City, Cold Springs Campground, and Mineral King Ranger Station (which issues wilderness permits and has food storage areas) to the Eagle-Mosquito Trailhead parking area at the end of the road, 23.5 miles from Highway 198. If space is available in the small parking area near the bridge over East Fork Kaweah River, you could park there and shorten your hike a bit.
DESCRIPTION: From the Eagle-Mosquito parking area, walk back down the road to the bridge over the river, and then follow single-track trail on a short climb to the Mineral King Pack Station access road. Follow the gently graded road through the open terrain of Mineral King Valley, passing the pack station’s corrals along the way. Sagebrush, currant, and gooseberry grow alongside the road, while grasses and willows line the riverbanks. Farther upslope, a widely scattered forest gives the area an alpine character.
At 1.1 miles, you ford Crystal Creek and then veer left away from the road onto single-track trail at an unsigned junction; the road continues through Aspen Flat before ending at Soda Spring. A mild to moderate 0.75-mile climb from the junction leads to Franklin Creek and the start of a steep, switchbacking climb, interrupted near the midpoint by an ascending traverse. Fine views of the multihued peaks and valleys of the Mineral King area may distract you from the upward grind. Above the switchbacks, 3.25 miles from the parking area, reach a junction with the Franklin Lakes Trail.
Turn left at the junction and proceed up the Franklin Lakes Trail on a long ascending traverse across the slope below Tulare Peak, where views down to Mineral King Valley and up to red-and-orange-hued Franklin Canyon are quite striking. Sharp eyes may detect the tailings and shaft of the Lady Franklin Mine upslope above a pair of switchbacks. Reach a crossing of willow-lined Franklin Creek at 4.4 miles.
