Mitchell Peak, Jennie Lakes Wilderness

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lambertiana

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Ever since I passed near Mitchell Peak in 2006 at the start of a trans-Sierra backpacking trip, it has been in the back of my mind. But, since it is not very high (10,365') and from the west looks like a nub on the western edge of the Sierra high country of Sequoia/Kings Canyon, it has not been very high on my list. Today I finally got around to doing it, and discovered that I have been missing out on something spectacular.

The trailhead is in Sequoia National Forest, just outside Jennie Lakes Wilderness, which is in a corner of the western boundary between Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. It took me right at two hours to drive from Visalia to the Marvin Pass trailhead. On the way in I passed Big Meadow


and this nice stream


Since the trailhead is relatively high (8410') it promised to be a fairly easy hike. Since this is my first foray into anything resembling high country this year, that is a good thing. Normally this trailhead would still be buried under snow at this time of year, but it was a very dry winter and the roads are all open. Most of the hike is in California Red Fir forest. The latin name for red fir is Abies Magnifica, and that is a very descriptive term. They get pretty tall (one in Sequoia NP is 251', 76.8 M tall). Here are some views along the way:














 
Since I was in the forest most of the way, I could only get occasional partial views. But finally, getting close to the top, the trees started thinning out on the rocky soil, changing mostly to lodgepole pines


And then it opened up to the summit. The summit is below the actual treeline, but not much grows on granite boulders.


Two markers on top, first the triangulation marker


and then the reference marker


And once I got on top (after 110 minutes on the trail) I was genuinely delighted by the view. I'd be hard pressed to think of a better view that requires less hiking around here. The lighting was poor with a thin overcast and hazy skies, I need to go back when it is clear for better pictures. But here they are:

West toward the valley; you can see the concrete platform for a fire tower that was once here


Northwest toward the lower part of Kings Canyon itself, the deepest canyon in North America


North to the northern end of Kings Canyon NP, Mount Goddard is the most prominent in the distance


NNE, you can see the Palisade Crest on the left horizon (six fourteeners, I have climbed the one on the farthest left of that crest)


East toward the heart of Kings Canyon NP. The main group in the center is what the Rae Lakes Loop circumnavigates


Southeast toward the Great Western Divide


SSE, with the Kaweahs the high points toward the right. Last summer I crossed the Kaweah ridgeline just in front of that main group


And south toward Mt Silliman


I could sit on top of Mitchell Peak for hours, looking at all of the peaks and canyons I have traversed all over SEKI in the last 13 years that I have lived here. The view is truly inspiring. I would highly recommend this hike. You just need to know that the last two miles to the trailhead are on a rutted dirt road that would require careful driving for a regular street car (I could probably do it with my corolla, but I was glad I drove my wife's subaru today).
 
man those are awesome pics. I would just love to hike and camp in that area. You are one lucky/blessed fellow to have such a great area to visit. I am with ya if I ever got to the top of an area like that to look around I could do that for hours too lol.

Bryan
 
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