Hiking the Elizabeth Pass Loop Trail
The trail from Lodgepole to Elizabeth Pass crosses Silliman Pass into Kings Canyon and then descends through mild terrain to Roaring River Ranger Station. From there the trail climbs into Deadman Canyon with spectacular canyon walls and soaring peaks. Beyond the pass the trail drops precipitously to connect with the High Sierra Trail and following it along the slopes of the Kaweah River Canyon to Crescent Meadow.
Lodgepole to Twin Lakes 6.8 miles
6.8 miles
The trail from 6,750-foot Lodgepole Village climbs immediately parallel to Silliman Creek through a mixed forest, crosses the creek, and continues north, after 4 miles reaching Cahoon Gap at 8,660 feet. Then it drops to Clover Creek, an unappealing camping area, and swings east toward Twin Lakes (9,420 feet). It is a strenuous first day, but worth the effort.
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Twin Lakes have several spacious camping sites with nearby bear boxes and an open-air, community toilet.
Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes to Comanche Meadow
7.8 miles
Climb to 10,160-foot Silliman Pass and plan some time there enjoying the view north and east across Kings Canyon. Then drop quickly, pausing at pretty little Ranger Lake before continuing the descent to Comanche Meadow. Before Belle Canyon the trail will vary slightly from older maps. A nice campsite is beside the trail near the lower end of Comanche Meadow.
Ranger Lake from Silliman Pass
Comanche Meadow to Deadman Canyon
10.2 miles
Descend on easy trail along Sugarloaf Creek to 7,120 feet elevation at the creek crossing. Then cross ridges to Roaring River, tip your hat to the ranger, and head up Deadman Canyon to the 19th-century, sheepherder's grave site at 8,400 feet. Find campsites nearby.
Gravesite to Timberline Camp
3.3 miles
The hike up Deadman Canyon offers ever-changing wonders from beautiful Ranger Meadow to sweeping granite walls and towering peaks. The last best campsite before the pass is among the trees a half mile beyond the confluence of Big Bird Lake Creek. The campsite is across the creek, among the trees on the west side of the valley.
Deadman Canyon
Timberline Camp to Bearpaw Meadow
9.5 miles
The 3 miles to the top of Elizabeth Pass are among the most enjoyable of the trip with amazing views of the surrounding peaks along Glacier Ridge. Then add the panoramic view from the top of the pass into Sequoia (shown above in masthead) from the Tablelands to the Kaweah River Canyon.
Descend from the pass over a rough trail that soon disappears. Two miles below the pass, cross the creek from Lonely Lake and make sure to pick of the trail on the other side, staying high until you find the trail. It leads away from the creek as it traverses the hillside. A mile down switchbacks, hikers meet the Tamarack Lake trail. Camping is possible upstream.
Two trails connect to Bearpaw Meadow. The upper trail (2.3 miles) climbs 600 feet before descending 1,000 feet to Bearpaw. The lower trail (2.8 miles) descends nearly 700 feet to the footbridge before climbing nearly 400 feet back up to Bearpaw. At Bearpaw Meadow is a High Sierra Camp and an established campground.
High Sierra Trail
Bearpaw Meadow to Crescent Meadow
11 miles
Follow the popular High Sierra Trail down to Crescent Meadow.
