Mitchell Peak, 10365 ft (3159 m)

Where: on the border between Sequoia National Forrest and Kings Canyon National Park

Trail head: Marvin Pass/Mitchell Peak trail head, near Big Meadows Road

Length: 6.5 miles round trip

Cumulative elevation gain: 2800 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Reservations required: No

Advance planning typically required for permit: N/A

Permit requirements: Get pass upon entry to Kings Canyon/Sequoia parks. If arriving very early or late, get pass upon exit.

Price: Pay at park entrance, waived with national park pass

Report date: 2007-06-24

Reported by: Silviu

Driving directions: Take Hwy 180 E into Yosemite. Approximately 4 hours from the Bay Area, 5 on a Friday afternoon, depending on traffic conditions. After 9 miles from Grant Grove on the Generals Highway turn left on Big Meadows Road.

Maps: TopoZone.com map

Trail condition: Very good.

Description and other notes: Besides Alta Peak, Mitchell Peak is an easy accessible peak with 360-degree views of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Note that the road to the trail head is a spur road and you cannot drive too fast. There are no water, facilities or bear boxes at the trail head. However, you can find water in at least two places along the trail. As usual, carry iodine pills or a water filter with you to treat the water.

Comments

The trail head is very dusty.

The final uphill and you can reach the top.

The final part of the climb. Don't ask yourself too much about snakes here.

The peak on the right is Alta Peak.

There is plenty of room for resting.

Great Western Divide seen from Mitchell Peak.