SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS
GUIDED HIKING, BACKPACKING, & TREKKING TRIPS
Residing on the western slopes of the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks play host to a more robust, forest-filled landscape, compared to the Eastern Sierra, with deep canyons and basins to adventure in and explore. In Sequoia National Park, you’ll be treated with the likes of numerous conifers, like the White Fir, Sugar Pine, Incense-Cedar, Red Fir, and the Ponderosa Pine. And while these conifers are special in their own right, the interspersed groves of Giant Sequoias are really a sight to see and main attraction for any guests visiting these parks. In Kings Canyon National Park, you’ll have the opportunity to explore more remote, deep, and rugged landscapes like those found in Le Conte Canyon, in the northern reaches of the park to the west of the Palisades. Kings Canyon National Park also features the well known Rae Lakes Loop, Sixty Lakes Basin, and the coveted peak, Mount Whitney. For our Mount Whitney Trips we enter from the Eastern Sierra, click here to check out out Eastern Sierra offerings, including Mount Whitney from Cottonwood Lakes.
Our family of Guides aren’t just your run of the mill backpacking guides, we’re climbers, alpinists, backcountry skiers, splitboarders, and outdoor educators who spend countless hours, year-round, in the Sierra Nevada backcountry with our guests, exploring all the nooks and crannies the Sierra has to offer. Whether you’re looking to top out the tallest peak in the continental US, Mount Whitney, hike a portion, or all of the John Muir Trail, or explore the picturesque landscape of Dusy Basin via Bishop Pass in the northern reaches of Kings Canyon National Park, we’ve got something for everyone. Scroll below to view our featured backpacking offerings and let our incredible Guide team lead you on an adventure you won’t soon forget. John Muir said it best “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt”!
Looking to get off the beaten path or link together multiple trails for a custom trip? We can customize and tailor nearly any trip for any size group. The Sequoia and Kings Canyon backpacking trail system is endless so we only showcase a handful of trips here. Click the button below to inquire about any backpacking trip you’re looking to do and we’d be happy to set it up! We also offer single day hikes if this is something that is of interest to any of our guests.
SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON BACKPACKING TRIPS
HAMILTON LAKES VIA the HIGH SIERRA TRAIL
Trip Length 6 Days
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A true gem of Sequoia National Park, Hamilton Lakes will be sure to leave an impression on you as you pass through some of the most beautiful landscapes Sierra National Park has to offer via the High Sierra Trail. A stunning trail from the very start of your trek out of Crescent Meadow, you’ll make your way through Bearpaw Meadow, as we head towards Hamilton Lakes and the picturesque Precipice Lake, back towards Kaweah Gap. If you’re looking for a backpacking trip that rivals many of the classics in the Sierra, but is less traveled, then backpacking Hamilton Lakes is for you.
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PRE SCHEDULED COST: $1,295 Per Person
PRIVATE TRIP RATES (PER PERSON, PER DAY)
One Person $450
Two People $350
Three People $275
Four People $250
Five People $250
Six People $250
BACKPACKING RENTAL PROGRAM
The above private trip rates include commercial wilderness permits, a bear canister, and your professionally trained guide. Additional backpacking equipment may be rented for a small fee. Please see our Backpacking Rental Program for more info.
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Pre Trek Meeting - Meet in the town of Three Rivers for a pre trip meeting the night before your departure. We’ll do group introductions and meet the rest of your fellow backpackers for the trip, as well as ensure you have all the equipment needed for your 5 days in the Sequoia National Park wilderness.
Day 1 - We’ll begin our Hamilton Lakes backpacking trip at Crescent Meadow in Sequoia National Park where we will meet up with the High Sierra Trail. Day one will be the longest day as we pass underneath the well know Alta Peak and make our way towards Bearpaw Meadow where we will camp for our first night.
Day 2 - Casual start as the overall mileage will be less on day two. We’ll make our way back to Hamilton Lakes, passing over Lone Pine Creek, and we’ll set up camp right next to the beautiful Hamilton Lake and take in the amazing views at camp.
Day 3 - We’ll continue our trek further east into Sequoia National Park, back towards Kaweah Gap, as we pass by the picturesque Precipice Lake, ending at Kaweah Gap proper. We’ll have a few options for campsites on day three, all of which be breathtaking.
Day 4 - Day four we’ll begin our trek back towards Crescent Meadow, reversing our steps, eventually making it back to Bearpaw Meadow where we will camp for our final night.
Day 5 - Our final day finds us making the ten mile trek back from Bearpaw Meadow to the trailhead at Crescent Meadow where we’ll end our trip.
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2024 pre scheduled group dates coming soon. Private bookings available now. Click below to inquire.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Commercial Wilderness Permits
Professionally trained guide(s) operating in 6:1 ratios
Bear Canister
Please review our Minimum Equipment List to ensure you have the rest of the equipment needed for your trip. If rental gear is needed, please see our Backpacking Rental Program page for more info. All rentals fees are in addition to the prices listed above.
RAE LAKES LOOP
Trip Length 8 Days
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While Mount Whitney may be the most sought after peak to hike and climb in the Sierra, the Rae Lakes Loop stands in league all on it’s own, providing some of the most aesthetic scenery and landscape views in the entire Sierra Nevada. From the stunning peak of East Vidette, dominating the southern portion of the Rae Lakes Loop trail, to the jagged granite peaks that compose the Kearsarge Pinnacles, to Rae Lakes Basin, the entry way to Sixty Lakes Basin, the hidden gem of Kings Canyon National Park, to the breathtaking Paradise Valley and Mist Falls, this 40+ mile backpacking loop has it all.
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PRE SCHEDULED COST: $2,100 Per Person
PRIVATE TRIP RATES (PER PERSON, PER DAY)
One Person $450
Two People $350
Three People $275
Four People $250
Five People $250
Six People $250
BACKPACKING RENTAL PROGRAM
The above private trip rates include commercial wilderness permits, a bear canister, and your professionally trained guide. Additional backpacking equipment may be rented for a small fee. Please see our Backpacking Rental Program for more info.
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Pre Trek Meeting - We’ll meet in a pre determined town outside of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks the day before for a pre trip meeting. We’ll do group introductions and meet the rest of your fellow backpackers for the trip, as well as ensure you have all the equipment needed for your 7 days in the Kings Canyon National Park wilderness.
Day 1 - We’ll begin our trip at Roads End in Cedar Grove. Our first night we’ll be camping along Bubbs Creek, on the Bubbs Creek Trail.
Day 2 - We’ll shove off after breakfast, continuing along Bubbs Creek, eventually turning north as we pass by one of the most aesthetic peaks in the Sierra, East Vidette. A series of switchbacks will lead us past Bullfrog Lake and to our second nights campsite, Charlotte Lake.
Day 3 - We’ll head out from Charlotte Lake and make our way up and over Glen Pass, topping out at nearly 12,000’. This will be our most challenging day in regards to elevation gain. Once we’ve crested Glen Pass we’ll make our way down to Rae Lakes and set up camp for the night.
Day 4 - Our lay day! On our 4th day we have a special treat for our guests, a day hike to Sixty Lakes Basin! We’ll keep our camping gear situated while we head off to explore this crown jewel of Kings Canyon National Park. A short trip from Rae Lakes will bring us to Sixty Lakes Basin where we’ll spend the day exploring this high alpine wonderland of lakes, rocks, meadows and wildlife. We’ll camp one more night at Rae Lakes.
Day 5 - We’ll finally make our way out of the Rae Lakes area, passing by the beautiful Arrowhead Lake and Dollar Lake, eventually connecting with the south fork of Woods Creek. We’ll camp at the confluence of the south fork of Woods Creek this night.
Day 6 - After breakfast we’ll make our way towards the head of Paradise Valley while we continue to follow Woods Creek, eventually meeting up with Arrow Creek at the head of Paradise Valley.
Day 7 - Our final day on the trail. We’ll pack up camp and start making our way down Paradise Valley. Along the way we’ll pass through the beautiful Mist Falls, eventually making our way back to Roads End. Once back at the trailhead we’ll debrief the trip with the group, exchange contact info, snap a few photos, and be on our way.
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2024 pre scheduled group dates coming soon. Private bookings available now. Click below to inquire.
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Sequoia & Kings National Park Commercial Wilderness Permits
Professionally trained guide(s) operating in 6:1 ratios
Bear Canister
Please review our Minimum Equipment List to ensure you have the rest of the equipment needed for your trip. If rental gear is needed, please see our Backpacking Rental Program page for more info. All rentals fees are in addition to the prices listed above.
SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON CUSTOM BACKPACKING TRIPS
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There are so many incredible options in the Sierra we can’t possibly list them all here. We’re happy to customize any backpacking trip you have in mind. Click the button below to inquire about your dream backpacking trip and we’ll get to work customizing a very special outing for you and your friends and family!
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One Person $450
Two People $350
Three People $275
Four People $250
Five People $250
Six People $250
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Inyo National Forest, Sequoia/ Kings Canyon, & Yosemite National Park Commercial Wilderness Permits
Professionally trained guide(s) operating in 6:1 ratios
Shuttle service where applicable
Bear Canister
