Sierra South: Backcountry Trips in California's Sierra Nevada Eighth Edition

The backpacking bug hit Kathy Morey hard in the 1970s and hasn’t let go yet. In 1990 she abandoned an aerospace career to write for Wilderness Press, authoring four hiking guides on Hawaii, “Hot Showers, Soft Beds, and Dayhikes in the Sierra,” and “Guide to the John Muir Trail.” She was a co-author of several previous editions of “Sierra North” and “Sierra South.” For the 8th edition of “Sierra South,” Kathy served as lead author. Kathy lives in Mammoth Lakes, California. Mike White was born and raised in Oregon and learned to hike in the Cascades. In the early 1990s, he began writing about the outdoors full time, and he has since written or contributed to almost a dozen Wilderness Press books, including “Afoot & Afield Reno-Tahoe,” “Kings Canyon National Park,” “Sequoia National Park,” and “Top Trails Lake Tahoe.” He also has written for “Sunset” and “Backpacker” magazines and the “Reno Gazette-Journal.” Mike lives in Reno and teaches backpacking and snowshoeing at Truckee Meadows Community College. Stacy Corless is a writer and hiker based in Mammoth Lakes, California. She helped update the ninth edition of “Sierra North.” Analise Elliot is an avid hiker, surfer, bird-watcher, and backpacker. She holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of California, Berkeley, and she has worked as a naturalist, environmental educator, and outdoor education program director along the California coast and Sierra Nevada. She currently directs a nature and environmental studies program at a school in Mill Valley, California. She is also the author of “Hiking & Backpacking Big Sur.” The Sierra Nevada has always had a strong influence on Chris Tirrell, and he can often be found climbing up or riding his snowboard down a peak in the backcountry. He lives in Berkeley, California, and this is the first book he has contributed to for Wilderness Press. Thomas Winnett founded Wilderness Press in 1967 with the publishing of “Sierra North,” his first guidebook. During his more than 30 years as publisher, he also wrote numerous books on how to backpack and where to hike in the wild areas of the western United States. He is now retired and lives with his wife, Lu, in Berkeley, California.

BIG MEADOWS TRAILHEAD 7615’; 11S 336134 4065221

DESTINATION 27 Jennie Lakes
UTM COORDINATES 11S 336134 4065221
TRIP TYPE Semiloop
BEST SEASON Early to mid
PACE (HIKING/LAYOVER DAYS) 3/0 Leisurely
TOTAL MILEAGE 18.2

Information and Permits: This trailhead is in Sequoia National Forest. Permits are not required, but you must have a California Campfire Permit in order to have a campfire or use a stove. If you plan to go into Sequoia or Kings Canyon national parks for an overnight stay, you must have a valid permit from them.

Driving Directions: From Fresno, take Hwy. 180 generally eastward for about 54 increasingly slow and windy miles into Kings Canyon National Park to the junction with the Generals Hwy. Turn right (south) and proceed on Generals Hwy. 6.4 miles to Big Meadows Road. Turn left (northeast) and drive 3.5 miles to the Big Meadows Trailhead parking lot, equipped with vault toilets.

27 JENNIE LAKES

Trip Data: 11S 336134 4065221; 18.2 miles; 3/0 days

Topos: Muir Grove, Mt. Silliman

Highlights: A peaceful alternative to the popular backcountry in adjacent Kings Canyon National Park, this stroll through Jennie Lakes Wilderness leads backpackers along rushing streams, through shady forests, and across flower-filled meadows to a pair of pleasant lakes with craggy backdrops.

DAY 1 (Big Meadows Trailhead to Weaver Lake, 3.2 miles): A sign near the restroom points the way to the start of the trail heading southeast up a wooded hillside and across the paved access road. A short descent leads to a wood bridge across a sluggish stretch of Big Meadows Creek to a trail register. From there, gradually traverse across the base of a granite hump, and then curve along a delightful, spring-fed tributary of Big Meadows Creek. Through a mixed forest of red firs, lodgepole pines, and Jeffrey pines, briefly follow this stream south before fording it.

Away from the crossing, the trail makes a moderate climb around an exposed ridge with a momentary view over lupine and manzanita of Monarch Divide and Shell Mountain. Continuing the arc around the ridge, you pass by verdant Fox Meadow and then climb to a streamside junction, 2 miles from the trailhead, where the loop part of this trip begins.

Head straight (northeast) across the stream from the junction into signed Jennie Lakes Wilderness and follow the path eastward through alternating sections of scattered to light forest and shrub-covered clearings. After 1.1 miles, reach a junction with the lateral to Weaver Lake.

Turn right (east and then south) onto the lateral and wind uphill through mixed forest sprinkled with boulders 0.2 mile to Weaver Lake (8707’; 11S 339423 4063618). Lodgepoles and firs shade the shoreline and the boulder-studded forest floor is carpeted with patches of azalea, red heather, and Labrador tea. The whitish granite of Shell Mountain creates a fine backdrop, mirrored in the lake’s usually placid surface. An array of campsites pepper the shoreline, the least crowded of which seem to be above the south shore amid a grove of conifers. Anglers will be tempted by the resident brook trout, but the easily reached lake appears to be heavily fished.

DAY 2 (Weaver Lake to Jennie Lake, 8.7 miles): Retrace your steps 0.2 mile from Weaver Lake to the junction, and turn right (northeast) to follow less-used tread on a moderate climb toward Rowell Meadow. Proceed through a mixed forest of firs, lodgepole pines, and western white pines across a pair of saddles and then down to the head of Boulder Creek’s canyon. After multiple crossings of the creek’s tributaries, follow a moderate climb northward up the west-facing wall of the canyon. Shade from a scattered to light forest greets you where the path bends east over the crest of a ridge and then descends to a Y-junction with the trail to Rowell Meadow.

Turn sharply right at the junction to head south on a gradual climb to the crest of a rise. From the rise, descend gently, then moderately, enjoying occasional glimpses of Shell Mountain through the trees and crossing back over a lushly lined tributary of Boulder Creek. A lengthy climb follows, past slabs and boulders and across a small stream draining a hidden pond 0.1 mile east of the trail. Eventually, the ascent leads to JO Pass (9444’) and a junction, 2.6 miles from the Rowell Meadows junction.

Turn right (west) and follow the crest of a gradually undulating ridge until switchbacks lead northwest down the hillside, from which you have momentary views of Jennie Lake through the trees. At 1.4 miles from JO Pass, find a junction with the very short lateral to the lake; turn left (south) on it. Like Weaver Lake, Jennie Lake (9012’; 11S 342382 4060976) is backdropped by impressive granite cliffs and rimmed by a light forest of red firs and lodgepole pines. Jennie Lake is larger than Weaver Lake. Overnighters can locate decent campsites on either side of the driftwood-choked outlet. Anglers may have better luck here than at Weaver, since Jennie is twice as far from the nearest trailhead and fishing pressure should be quite a bit less.

DAY 3 (Jennie Lake to Big Meadows Trailhead, 6.3 miles): Retrace your steps along the lateral to the main trail, turn left (northwest), and follow a gentle decline before making an ascending westward traverse across exfoliated granodiorite slopes and scattered forest, with fine views of the Monarch Divide along the way. Following the traverse, a steep, winding climb concludes at Poop Out Pass (9140’). A short descent from the pass brings you to a junction with the Stony Creek Trail.

Turn right (west) at the junction and make a moderate descent across the southern slopes of Shell Mountain to a crossing of a nascent, twin-channeled tributary of Stony Creek. From the creek, a gradual ascent around the nose of a ridge leads to a traverse across the west slope of Shell Mountain. Mostly open terrain allows excellent views of Big Baldy, Chimney Rock, and, if the ubiquitous haze abates, the San Joaquin Valley.

Return to forest cover as the track curves north-northwest, crosses a lushly lined, spring-fed brook, and follows a moderate descent across a second rivulet to Poison Meadow. Past the meadow, cross a third little stream, exit the signed Jennie Lakes Wilderness, and soon arrive at the junction where you close the loop. Turn left (south) and retrace your steps 2 miles to the trailhead.