John Muir Trail Map 6

Dusy Creek to Twin Lakes

Palisades, Kings Canyon National Park, California
Palisades, Kings Canyon National Park, California

John Muir Trail Map 6

Dusy Creek to Twin Lakes


John Muir Trail Map 6

Map

Dusy Creek to Pinchot Pass

Two miles down the trail from the LeConte Ranger Station, Grouse Meadow is a beautiful spot to camp. A mile beyond, a lateral trail heads down the Middle Fork of the Kings River, while JMT hikers begin a 10-mile climb to Mather Pass. The steps on the Golden Staircase are challenging, and the trail descending the south side of Mather Pass is steep and narrow. On the way up the pass watch for views of the jagged Palisades (shown above) in the distance.

Follow the South Fork of the Kings River to a wide and sometimes dangerous ford. Soon after the crossing, pass the turnoff to Bench Lake, a worthy side trip and camping spot 1½ miles to the west. Continue uphill past glistening Lake Marjorie before the final ascent to Pinchot Pass.

Pinchot Pass to Twin Lakes

An easy descent from Pinchot Pass brings hikers to the shores of Twin Lakes. The lakes are a favored campsite for northbound hikers wanting to get a early start for Pinchot Pass, but most southbound hikers continue 4 miles downhill to find more shelter at the Woods Creek crossing, a popular camping area for JMT hikers.

Along the Way


The Golden Staircase

The 3 miles of trail from Deer Meadow up to Palisade Lakes has been named the Golden Staircase. At twilight the canyon trail takes on a golden glow, but the seeming unending series of steps and switchbacks climbing more than 2,000 feet makes it among the most physically challenging sections of the John Muir Trail.

Descending Mather Pass

The descent on the southern side of Mather Pass can be a harrowing experience. The narrow trail down the steep talus slope makes some hikers uneasy. Mather Pass was opened in 1938, one of the last sections of the modern John Muir Trail route to be constructed.

Taboose Pass

Lateral trails connecting to the JMT on either side of the Kings River crossing lead over Taboose Pass and down to roads connecting to Highway 395 about 12 miles south of Big Pine. The rarely used pass stands at 11,400 feet and then descends nearly 6,000 feet to the Owens Valley.


view south from Pinchot Pass, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Looking South from Pinchot Pass




Along the Way


The Golden Staircase

The 3 miles of trail from Deer Meadow up to Palisade Lakes has been named the Golden Staircase. At twilight the canyon trail takes on a golden glow, but the seeming unending series of steps and switchbacks climbing more than 2,000 feet makes it among the most physically challenging sections of the John Muir Trail.

Descending Mather Pass

The descent on the southern side of Mather Pass can be a harrowing experience. The narrow trail down the steep talus slope makes some hikers uneasy. Mather Pass was opened in 1938, one of the last sections of the modern John Muir Trail route to be constructed.

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Taboose Pass

Lateral trails connecting to the JMT on either side of the Kings River crossing lead over Taboose Pass and down to roads connecting to Highway 395 about 12 miles south of Big Pine. The rarely used pass stands at 11,400 feet and then descends nearly 6,000 feet to the Owens Valley.

John Muir Trail Map from Dusy Creek to Twin Lakes, California


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