Kearsarge to Kern Headwaters

This route is a 52.7-mile backpacking route in the High Sierra region. Depending on both hiker speed and personal preference, this route can usually be done anywhere from 3 to 5 days, with opportunities to extend with side trips and/or mountain climbing. 

This route utilizes Kearsarge Pass of the Eastern Sierra, which has its trailhead at the end of Onion Valley Road, outside the town of Independence. The Kearsarge Pass Trail passes a number of excellent lakes on its ascent to the pass (near mile 4.7). It is a long, 5-mile descent from the pass to Vidette Meadow, passing Kearsarge Lakes and Bullfrog Lake before joining Bubbs Creek at the junction. Take the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) southbound along the creek. The trail here begins the significant ascent, passing between East Vidette and University Peak, toward Forester Pass (13,160), which is the high point for this route, as well as the entire PCT. The route descends from the pass and continues on to take the junction with Lake South America Trail near mile 22.5. Here begins a short, 8-mile loop in the headwaters area of the Kern River and at the base of the Kings Kern Divide. This loop is the peak of the route in an area replete with high altitude, desolate lakes, including the aptly named Lake South America. After completing the loop, our route simply follows the same way back toward Kearsarge Pass.

Hikers will pass through the John Muir Wilderness in Inyo National Forest and enter Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. Wilderness permits are required for backcountry camping, which can be found at www.recreation.gov. For more information regarding advisories, weather, road conditions, campgrounds and more, check out the Inyo National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo, and the Sequoia-Kings Canyon website at https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm. Practice the principles of leave no trace, and take action to defend threatened wilderness areas (wildernesswatch.org).