Hikes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Below is a collection of trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These hikes are listed from north to south and west to east, but the table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these trails. An interpretive map is also provided.

Highlights of the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Tunnel View YosemiteHalf Dome YosemiteVernal FallsSunset Rock SequoiaCrescent Meadow Lake SequoiaMonarch Lake SequoiaMount Langley SequoiaCottonwood Lakesnatural water slide

 

Hiking the Sierra Nevada Mountains


This magnificent mountain range covers much of the center of California, running 400 miles from north to south. Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks all lie within the Sierras, as well as a patchwork of other state and federally protected lands. The highest peaks are located on the east side of the range. The highest point in the lower 48 states, Mount Whitney rises to 14,505 feet, and is one a dozen 14ers in the High Sierras. This land of mountain meadows, lakes, rivers, and peaks was made for hiking. Choose a trail from the list below and begin exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

TrailDescriptionDistanceLatitude,
Longitude
090Wapama Falls in Yosemite National Park
This level hike tours the reservoir in Hetch Hetchy Valley to a thundering waterfall in the northwest corner of the park.
5 miles
200 feet
37.946905,
-119.787376
100May Lake in Yosemite National Park
This short east hike visits a peaceful alpine lake in the high elevation region of Yosemite north of Yosemite Valley.
2.4 miles
400 feet
37.832633,
-119.491181
110Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park
This easy hike visits a relaxing reflective pool on the east end of Yosemite Valley.
2 to 2.8 miles
100 feet
37.747188,
-119.55021
120Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
This epic hike climbs from Yosemite Valley to the top of the most iconic crest in the Yosemite Landscape.
16 miles
4,800 feet
37.747915,
-119.531994
130The Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park
This exciting trail climbs the Merced River past Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, two of Yosemite's prize waterfalls.
1.8 to 6.5 miles
400 to 1,900 feet
37.732178,
-119.558036
150Lower Yosemite Fall in Yosemite National Park
This electrifying loop delivers visitors to the base of the tallest waterfall in North America.
1.2 miles
100 feet
37.745347,
-119.594777
163Taft Point in Yosemite National Park
This out and back hike visits an overlook on the south wall of Yosemite Valley with fascinating rock fissures carved into the exposed granite.
4 miles
200 feet
37.7126,
-119.586318
165Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite National Park
This easy paved trail visits the base of a 620-foot single-drop waterfall on the south side of Yosemite Valley.
0.5 miles
50 feet
37.720052,
-119.628682
180Chilnualna Falls in Yosemite National Park
This out and back hike begins near raucous cascades and ends atop a waterfall.
8 miles
2,200 feet
37.548391,
-119.633691
185Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park
This hike explores the biggest trees in Yosemite, which can be explored on foot or by tram.
1.6 - 8 miles
250 to 1,200 feet
37.501462,
-119.610862
300Tokopah Falls in Sequoia National Park
This gradual out and back hike visits the tallest waterfall in Sequoia National Park.
3.4 miles36.613952, -118.693743
310General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park
This paved out at back visits the world's biggest tree.
1 mile36.583219, -118.750734
320Congress Loop in Sequoia National Park
This easy paved loop visits the fourth and fifth tallest Sequoias in the world (among others).
2 miles36.575362, -118.751421
330Sunset Rock in Sequoia National Park
This out and back hike visits a large granite dome with great views to the west.
2 miles36.575925, -118.775439
340 Beetle Rock in Sequoia National Park
This short walk from the Giant Forest Museum to Beetle Rock visits a granite dome with great views and stunning sunsets.
0.25 miles36.564122, -118.775514
350Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park
This level loop visits a Sequoia you can stand inside (Chimney Tree) and another that someone used to live in (Tharp's Log).
1.6 miles36.554884, -118.749207
360Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park
This 0.6 mile hike sports panoramic views and should be considered a mandatory hike for first time visitors to Sequoia National Park.
0.6 miles
300 feet
36.545449, -118.765519
370Marble Falls in Sequoia National Park
This out and back hike takes a flower-lined path up a mountain canyon to a powerful waterfall.
8 miles36.55421, -118.791919
380Paradise Creek in Sequoia National Park
This short stroll leaves Buckeye Flats Campground to visit the perfect swimming hole for a hot summer day in the Sierras.
1 - 6 mile36.519288, -118.761254
390Panther Creek in Sequoia National Park
This out and back hike follows the Middle Fork Trail to a 100 foot waterfall into the Middle Fork of Kaweah River.
6 miles (or further)
600 feet
36.54044, -118.721037
450Hockett Trail in Sequoia National Park
This hike descends through Sequoia groves to East Fork Kaweah River and further into the backcountry of Mineral King.
2.5 to 4.5 miles (or further)
36.464097, -118.66817
460Eagle Lake in Sequoia National Park
The out and back hike climbs the west side of Mineral King Valley to a high-elevation lake.
7.2 miles
2,200 feet
36.416759, -118.605911
470Monarch Lakes in Sequoia National Park
This out and back hike visits a spectacular pair of lakes high above Mineral King Valley.
9.4 miles
2,500 feet
36.453241, -118.566259
840Mount Pickering in Sequoia National Park
This 13,485-foot summit rises above Sky Blue Lake to offer sweeping views of the sierras.
30 miles
3,500 feet
36.527133, -118.290875
850Sky Blue Lake in Sequoia National Park
This hike extends beyond Lower Soldier Lake up Miter Basin to a deep blue lake surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks.
26 miles
2,300 feet
36.532788, -118.273494
855Primrose Lake in Sequoia National Park This trek visits a lake off the side of Miter Basin near Sky Blue Lake and below Mount Pickering. 28 miles
2,300 feet
36.521144, -118.276173
860Mount Langley in Sequoia National Park
This trek travels past Cottonwood Lakes Trail over New Army Pass to a 14,042-foot summit with towering views of the Sierras.
22 miles
4,000 feet
36.524419, -118.238826
864Lower Soldier Lake in Sequoia National Park
This 19.2-mile loop crosses Cottonwood Pass and New Army Pass to visit a beautiful lake that is an ideal camping spot for backpackers heading higher and deeper into the sierras.
17.6 -20.8 miles
1,500 - 2,300 feet
36.503604, -118.269331
875Cirque Peak in the Inyo National Forest
This 12,900-foot summit can be reached via off-trail ascents from New Army Pass, Cirque Lake, and Chicken Spring Lake.
13 - 17 miles
2,900 feet
36.476732, -118.237023
880Cottonwood Lakes in the Inyo National Forest
This scenic trail provides a day hike through a lake-filled basin, and access to a 12,300-foot pass on the border of Sequoia National Park for backpackers.
10 - 15 miles
1,400 - 2,300 feet
36.486405, -118.225265
885Old Cottonwood Creek Trail in the Inyo National Forest
This 8 to 9-mile day hike follows a secluded trail through mountain meadows to the South Fork Lakes and Cirque Lake.
8 - 9 miles
1,150 feet
36.482197, -118.212422
888Chicken Spring Lake in the Inyo National Forest
This hike continues past Cottonwood Pass to an alpine lake that makes a nice day hike destination or a good first camp for backpackers.
8.2 miles
1,330 feet
36.455588, -118.226842
890Cottonwood Pass in the Inyo National Forest
This trail leaves Horseshoe Meadow for an 11,200-foot pass and a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, with access to Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park.
7 miles
1,200 feet
36.453638, -118.21519
900Needles Lookout in Giant Sequoia National Monument
This out and back hike visits a fire tower with unbeatable views of the region.
5 miles
450 feet
36.109822, -118.484724
910Dome Rock in Giant Sequoia National Monument
This short out and back hike just off Western Divide Highway provides a great view of the valley below.
0.5 miles36.064945, -118.528798
920Natural Water Slide in Giant Sequoia National Monument
This out and back hike visits a refreshing natural water slide on the eastern side of the Great Western Divide.
1 mile
36.037554, -118.517296
960Trail of 100 Giants in Giant Sequoia National Monument
This pave loop visits a grove of Giant Sequoias alongside Western Divide Highway.
0.5 miles
35.977959, -118.592566

 


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