South Lake to Sawmill

This route from South Lake to Sawmill is a 76.6-mile backpacking route in the Sierra Nevada. It is a point-to-point, so will require a shuttle between the two trailheads. The route strays from utilizing the well-traveled Pacific Crest Trail between these points, and instead takes a series of lesser-used, though incredibly scenic trails.

Though the route can be traveled in either direction, it will be described in a southerly manner, starting at South Lake and ending at Sawmill. There is a parking lot at South Lake which allows overnight parking for backpackers, but it can also fill up. In those cases, backpackers have been advised to park nearly a mile down the road. This beginning of our route is beautiful from the get-go, as the trail to Bishop Pass is one of the most intriguing routes into the High Sierra. It passes a number of attractive lakes before beginning the switchbacked climb up to the pass. We then drop down from this route’s highest point to then join the southbound PCT near LeConte Ranger Station. After passing the picturesque Grouse Meadow, split from the PCT to take the trail junction to follow the Middle Fork of the Kings River for nearly 8 miles. Close to Simpson Meadow, our route begins a steep climb up toward the Monarch Divide, following a path that is notoriously easy to lose. After passing through Granite Basin, our route descends the relentless Copper Creek Trail to the parking lot at Road’s End. We then follow the South Fork of the Kings River along Woods Creek Trail for about 14 miles, before a brief rejoinder with the PCT. The homestretch begins by taking the junction onto Sawmill Pass Trail. Woods Lake is a superb place to camp for a final night before making the descent into the Owens Valley.

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).