Middle Fork Trail to Panther Creek
in Sequoia National Park
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Panther Creek falls one hundred feet down a canyon wall to join the Kaweah River. The Middle Fork Trail passes right above the falls, providing a view straight down the waterfall. Unfortunately, a head on look at the falls cannot be obtained, but the trail is plenty scenic to justify the 6-mile hike (as long as it’s not too hot out).
The Middle Fork Trailhead is the foothills gateway to the Sierras. From here, hikers can set out to Redwood Meadow and the High Sierra Trail that runs all the way to Mt. Whitney. A wilderness permit is required for those overnight treks, but for day hikers, Panther Creek is three miles away and there are no trail junctions in between.
This single track heads east, weaving along the side of the valley hundreds of feet above the Kaweah River. In the spring, the foothills vegetation is lush with Chaparral and wildflowers. There is little shade along the trail and on a hot day it can be quite exhausting. For this reason, a higher elevation hike is preferable on a summer scorcher.
From the parking lot, the trail immediately descends to Moro Creek, the first of a few creek crossings. Moro Creek requires the trickiest rock hopping. The rest are quite easy to cross.
Middle Fork Trail beneath Moro Rock
The first mile presents nice views up at Moro Rock, the granite dome that rise out of the canyon 3,000 feet above. Further on, the views north toward Moro Rock are replaced with even better views south across the canyon at the picturesque pinnacles of Castle Rocks. On occasion, the trail even offers glimpses further up the canyon toward the snow capped High Sierras.
Castle Rocks beyond the trail
There are a few switchbacks along the dusty trail, but for the most part the track follows the slope of the canyon on a gradual weaving course toward Panther Creek. When you start to wonder, “how much further is this creek,” you will enter a wooded area where the trail traverses of a long steep bluff. The canyon dropping drastically to the right is a sign that the dramatic confluence is close ahead.
Panther Creek
The trail descends to a small pool above the falls. From there the water pours down a narrow shoot to the powerful river below. Relax along the creek or slip into the cool waters for a dip. The large granite slabs on both sides of the creek offer views of the falls and the river below. On the opposite side of the creek there is a small wilderness campsite with a fire ring and room for a tent or two. From here the trail continues, crossing Mehrten Creek and Buck Creek en route to Bearclaw Meadow. If are not going further, the trail back is the same as the trail in (just backwards).
The hike starts at 3,300 feet and ends at 3,900. The trail can be unbearably hot in the summer, but quite pleasant in the winter or spring.
The trailhead above the Kaweah River
To get to the trailhead: Six miles east of the Ash Mountain park entrance, turn off the Generals Highway at Hospital Rock on to the narrow road to Buckeye Flats Campground. After half a mile, when the road turns downhill to the campground, continue straight ahead on a well maintained dirt road for another 1.3 miles to the Middle Fork Trailhead. This road closes in winter, requiring extra millage for those venturing the trail from Hospital Rock. Check with a park ranger for winter road conditions.
Use the map below to create your own directions:
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Nearby Trails
 | Paradise Creek This short stroll leaves Buckeye Flats Campground to visit the perfect swimming hole for a hot summer day in the Sierras. |
 | Marble Falls This 8-mile hike takes a flower-lined path up a mountain canyon to a powerful waterfall. |
 | Tokopah Falls This gradual 3.4-mile hike visits the base of the tallest waterfall in Sequoia National Park. |
 | General Sherman Tree This one-mile hike visits the world’s biggest tree, a 275-foot tall Giant Sequoia that is 36.5 feet across at the base. |
 | Congress Loop This easy paved two mile loop visits the fourth and fifth tallest Sequoias in the world (among others). |
 | Sunset Rock This 2-mile hike visits a large granite dome with great views to the west, possibly the best place to end your day in the Giant Forest. |
 | Beetle Rock This short walk from the Giant Forest Museum to Beetle Rock visits a granite dome with great views and stunning sunsets. |
 | Crescent Meadow This level 1.6-mile loop visits a Sequoia you can stand inside (Chimney Tree) and another that someone used to live in (Tharp’s Log). |
 | Moro Rock This 0.6 mile hike sports panoramic views and should be considered a mandatory hike for first time visitors to Sequoia National Park. |
 | More trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Explore other destinations in Sequoia National Park and the rest of the range. |
Camping
 | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Campgrounds There are 14 campgrounds with over 1,000 total sites spread throughout the park to facilitate your visit. |
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