Mitchell Peak Day Hike — Sequoia and Kings Canyon, CA
Mitchell peak has one of the best views of the Sierra, easily accessible by a short 3 mile dayhike. Although getting to the trailhead is a challenge in itself, and the hike to the top is steep, the 360 degree view from the top is well worth it!
Hike Info
Month Hiked: May
Miles: 6 miles
Elevation Change: 2265 ft
Trail Type: Out and back
Trailhead: Google Maps
Cost: Free after $20 park entrance fee
Getting There
Since it was only May, and it was too early in the season for backpacking, we planned a weekend of camping at SEKI (Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park). I have read lots of positive things about Mitchell Peak, and we decided a short dayhike up the peak was perfect for an early season hike.
When we arrived Friday evening, we saw that Potwisha campground was full, so we headed up to Lodgepole Campground for $22 a night. We got to watch the sunset as we drove up the windy road up the side of the mountain, and of course we stopped for several viewpoints and markers.
Tunnel rock
Sunset from Amphitheater Point
The next morning, we headed up to the Marvin Pass Trailhead. It was not marked on the map the park gave us, and we didn't see any signs for Marvin Pass until we actually arrived at the dirt lot. There were wrong several turnoffs that we drove onto for a little before realizing we were on the wrong road.
When we reached a three way split, we took the right fork with a sharp dip onto a dirt road. The windy dirt road got bumpier and bumpier, and was narrow enough for us to be glad we didn't see a single other car. When we reached the lot, our car looked quite lonely parked in the empty lot.
Parked at Marvin Pass Trailhead
The Hike
When we checked the register, it seemed the last time someone hiked was last November. We signed in and headed off. Within the first mile of the hike, we saw small patches of snow on the side of the trail.
First patch of snow on the side of the trail
Crossing into Jennie Lakes Wilderness
First junction 1 mile in
Second trail junction hand written in
The snow was not too bad to hike through
The weather was perfect for hiking, and the mosquitoes characteristic of this time of year were no where to be found. As we continued, the snow patches got larger and larger, and we had difficulty finding the trail under all the snow.
As we climbed, the snow patches covered more ground
At one point, the snow completely covered the ground and we just hiked up towards the peak. We found a dry ridge to the right of the peak and followed it up.
A dry narrow section up to the peak
You can spot smoke from a fire in the distance
The final climb over boulders to the peak
The view from the top!
A shot Ed took of me at the peak
There were lots of large and fat lizards all over the peak
We had lunch on a large concrete slab
What an amazing view.
Hiking back down the boulder pile
Be careful on these boulders, there isn't a single path to climb up or down them, you just have to pick your own way. Even with the traction on his hiking boots, Ed slipped on a rock and cut up his knee.
Because of the snow, we had difficulty finding the trail on the hike down. We didn't want to miss the trail on the hike down, so we searched for about 20 minutes looking for footprints or any sign of the trail. Eventually we found the trail in between patches of snow. The rest of the hike back was downhill and quick.
Hiking through a forest section
Once we got back to the car, we headed back to camp to enjoy a delicious hot pot meal, our new go to camping meal!
The most satisfying meal after a day on the mountain
Other useful links:
Summitpost
Alltrails
Jennie Lakes Wilderness
Trailspace
Favorite gear for this trip